• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

The Most Watched MLS Games in U.S. Television History

  • The most-watched MLS game came in the inaugural MLS Cup match in 1996.
  • D.C. United and Seattle Sounders are featured in five of the top ten most-watched games.
Jul 3, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; D.C. United fans react during the first half at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Major League Soccer has a long way in its ambitions to reach the level of media dominance leagues like the NFL and NBA hold within the United States. However, with new viewership records and the Messi effect taking hold, the league is seeing continued growth in television and streaming audiences.

High-stakes matches seem to be propelling the league to new heights in revenue and attendance; of the most-watched MLS games, 60% have been MLS Cup final matches.

The most-watched MLS game ever was the inaugural MLS Cup title match, which drew 3.1 million American viewers in 1996. D.C. United faced off against the Galaxy for supremacy in the new league. 

Fans were treated to a dramatic game featuring five goals. D.C. United came back from a two-goal deficit to send the game into extra time and win 3-2.

D.C. United is featured in the second-most-watched game as well, which drew 2.2 million viewers in the United States. They played the Rapids in a game to decide if they would become the first back-to-back MLS champions in 1997.

Playing at home at the old RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., United scored a late goal to secure their second straight title. Despite rainy conditions, a crowd of 57,431 spectators watched their home team bring home the MLS Cup again. 

Only three games among the most-watched MLS games are regular-season games. 

Freddy Adu’s debut game for D.C. United is the most-watched regular season game, drawing 1.97 million American viewers. At just 14 years old, he became the youngest player ever to play in an MLS game, a record since broken by the Union’s Cavan Sullivan.

The other regular-season game to attract over 1.5 million viewers was the 2019 match between Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls, which had an average of 1.61 million viewers.

As MLS looks to expand the number of teams in the league, it hopes the growing interest will sustain its growth and allow it to compete with bigger, more established domestic leagues.

Ranking The Most-Watched MLS Games Ever

Here is the list of the top 10 most-watched MLS games based on average U.S. viewership. The list was compiled using historical data from MLS Soccer and The Athletic.

  • Updated: April 15, 2025
RankingMatchupDateAverage U.S. Viewership
1D.C. United vs Los Angeles GalaxyOctober 20, 19963.1 million
2D.C. United vs Colorado RapidsOctober 26, 19972.2 million
3D.C. United vs San Jose EarthquakesApril 3, 20041.97 million
4Colorado Rapids vs Portland TimbersNovember 24, 20211.89 million
5Atlanta United vs New York Red BullsJuly 7, 20191.61 million
6Atlanta United vs Portland TimbersDecember 8, 20181.56 million
7New York City FC vs Portland TimbersDecember 11, 20211.51 million
8Los Angeles FC vs Philadelphia UnionNovember 5, 20221.48 million
9Seattle Sounders vs Toronto FCDecember 10, 20161.41 million
10Seattle Sounders vs Portland TimbersJune 30, 20181.16 million

Related lists:

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Gareth Bale
exclusive

Gareth Bale Group Makes New Offer for Cardiff City 

Bale tells Front Office Sports his group has made another bid.
May 28, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.

How Does the NBA Salary Cap Work?

The NBA salary cap gives teams a spending limit for their rosters.

Murphy: Club WC Snags Won’t Derail Biggest Event ‘in Human History’

New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium is the concluding site of both FIFA events.

Featured Today

Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.