The world’s most popular sport is enjoying even more success and attention in 2024, as Copa America and UEFA Euro 2024 have brought record viewership in the United States.
The instant-classic 2022 FIFA World Cup Final drew a reported 26.7 million average viewers in the U.S. to lead as the most watched soccer game ever for an American audience.
In that final, Argentina and France played one of the most memorable games in World Cup history; Argentina went up 2-0 only for France to storm back and tie the game at 2-2 before the end of regulation. After extra time ended with the score still tied at 3-3, Argentina won in penalty kicks to lift their first World Cup trophy since 1986.
Inside the stadium, 88,966 spectators watched the gripping final, hosted in Qatar. Globally, 1.5 billion viewers watched the match.
The Women’s World Cup Final from 2015 is second with 26.7 million average viewers in the United States.
The U.S. faced Japan to see if they could make history by becoming the first country to win three Women’s World Cups. Broadcasted from Vancouver, British Columbia, viewers watched with delight as the tournament’s only two undefeated teams squared off. The U.S. proved to be more than Japan could handle and won their third World Cup, 5-2.
The top four most-watched soccer games are World Cup Finals, averaging 24.4 million U.S. viewers between them.
The only game featured on the list that aren’t World Cup games is from this 2024’s Copa America and.
The U.S. will bet on the success of hosting Copa America and rising interest in soccer as a launching pad for the 2026 World Cup.
Ranking The Most Watched Soccer Games Ever
Here is the list of the top 10 most watched soccer games based on average viewership in the United States. The list was compiled using historical data from ESPN, SportsMediaWatch, and Forbes.
- Updated: December 26, 2024
| Ranking | Date | Matchup | Reported Average U.S. Viewership |
| 1 | December 18, 2022 | World Cup Final – Argentina vs France | 26.73 million |
| 2 | July 5, 2015 | Women’s World Cup Final – U.S. vs Japan | 26.7 million |
| 3 | July 14, 2014 | World Cup Final – Germany vs Argentina | 26.5 million |
| T-4 | July 12, 2020 | World Cup Final – Spain vs Netherlands | 24.7 million |
| T-4 | June 22, 2014 | World Cup (Group Stage) – U.S. vs Portugal | 24.7 million |
| 6 | July 15, 2018 | World Cup Final – France vs Croatia | 17.8 million |
| 7 | November 25, 2022 | World Cup (Group Stage) – U.S. vs England | 15.5 million |
| 8 | July 26, 2023 | Women’s World Cup (Group Stage) – U.S. vs Netherlands | 6.4 million |
| 9 | August 1, 2023 | Women’s World Cup (Group Stage) – Netherlands vs Vietnam | 5.3 million |
| 10 | July 1, 2024 | Copa America (Group Stage) – Uruguay vs U.S. | 3.8 million |
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