• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 21, 2025

NFL Preseason Ratings Jump, Adding Fuel to 18-Game Season Argument

  • The ratings further the discussion of expanding the NFL’s regular season.
  • Schedule expansion would eliminate an existing preseason game.
Aug 25, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Fans cheer during the second quarter during a preseason game between the Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots at Commanders Field.
Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Despite TV competition from the Olympics, the NFL preseason scored its own gold medal.

Total ratings were up—albeit slightly—from last season. The preseason numbers jumped despite a tough Week 1, which battled the final stretch of the Paris Games and inclement weather from the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game that kicks off the exhibition season. The total slate of games averaged 1.93 million viewers, up from 1.91 million in 2023, an increase of roughly 1%. 

Despite the small jump, any ratings increase sends yet another signal to commissioner Roger Goodell and NFL owners that extending the regular season to 18 games in the near future is a solid idea.

Preseason schedules have already become leaner as the NFL schedule expanded to the current 17 games, with its slate falling from four to three in 2021. (The shift also accounted for the additional toll taken on players’ bodies.) Goodell has speculated an 18-game season would reduce the preseason down to two games, which players have voiced mixed opinions about. One argument against reducing preseason games is it makes it harder for players battling for the final roster spots to properly audition. 

But the recent ratings uptick shows the audience for the NFL is as hungry as ever—and only adds to the argument that the league can afford to do away with another preseason game without it impacting business.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The NBA’s $77B Future Starts Tonight 

Seven 2025 NBA All-Stars will miss the start of the season.
Keegan Murray

$20 Million Per Year Becoming New Baseline for NBA Role Players

Christian Braun signed a five-year deal worth $125 million.

TNT Sports Parent WBD Is for Sale As Comcast, Netflix, Paramount Circle

The TNT Sports parent said it has received interest from “multiple parties.”

Featured Today

Christie's

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 18, 2025

How Vanderbilt Went From SEC Doormat to Dark Horse CFP Candidate

After beating LSU, Clark Lea said: “Internally, we expect to win.”
May 27, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard T.J. McConnell (9) shoots a three point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the third quarter of game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
October 18, 2025

NBA Stars Swap Wine With League Friends and Foes

A wine-exchange tradition emerged from the bubble season’s close quarters.

After Heavy Pushback, LaLiga’s Controversial Miami Match Canceled

Hard Rock Stadium was set to host Barcelona-Villarreal on Dec. 20.
October 20, 2025

Blue Jays $280M Payroll Pays Off With a Trip to the World..

Toronto is back in the Fall Classic for the first time in 32 years.
October 21, 2025

The AWS Outage Wreaked Havoc in Sports

Ticketmaster, FanDuel, DraftKings, and Strava all had problems.
Sponsored

Michelle Wie West: Women’s Sports Doesn’t Need Charity

The LPGA legend on redefining women’s sports and the future of golf.
Verstappen
October 20, 2025

ESPN’s Final F1 Season Is Turning Into A Thriller 

F1 is averaging 1.4 million viewers on ESPN networks this year.
IndyCar driver Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood, left, celebrates winning the Detroit Grand Prix with team co-owner Dan Towriss in Detroit on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
October 17, 2025

Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss Defends  $700 Million Apple Deal

“We’re going to have a bigger reach than what people think.”
Hansi Flick
October 17, 2025

Barcelona Players, Coach ‘Not Happy’ About Miami Game

La Liga is on the verge of relocating a December match.
Jun 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Second place Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) sprays champagne on winner Mercedes driver George Russell (63) at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
October 17, 2025

Apple Officially Taking F1 Rights From ESPN in $700M Deal

ESPN has broadcast F1 in the U.S. since 2018.