NFL Morning Games Break Ratings Record As Global Slate Grows

The NFL’s Sunday morning international game broadcasts saw record TV ratings this season, as the league continues to explore expanding and further monetizing its presence abroad.

NFL Network averaged 6.2 million viewers for the six European games that started at 9:30 a.m. ET. That’s up 32% from last season’s slate, and narrowly beat out the previous record of 6.1 million in 2023, when a Dolphins-Chiefs matchup produced an audience of 9.6 million, still the most-watched NFL Network international game on record.

Here’s the viewership breakdown for this season’s games:

• Vikings-Steelers (Dublin): 7.9 million
• Vikings-Browns (London): 6.4 million
• Falcons-Colts (Berlin): 6 million
• Commanders-Dolphins (Madrid): 5.9 million
• Broncos-Jets (London): 5.7 million
• Rams-Jaguars (London): 5.26 million

Not included in the NFL Network’s international average is Week 1’s Chargers-Chiefs game in Brazil, which drew 16.1 million viewers on YouTube in the U.S. and an audience of 17.2 million globally on the streamer. 

Global Footprint

The record international game audience average for NFL Network is significant for multiple reasons.

After playing a record seven games outside the U.S. this year, the NFL is looking at adding up to two more contests abroad next season (potentially one in France), and eventually wants to play 16 international games. 

That expansion may very well coincide with the league eventually selling a separate media-rights package of international games, which could be worth $1 billion annually. 

But in the meantime, NFL Network is set to be acquired by ESPN in 2026, pending the approval of a deal that will see the league take a 10% equity stake in the Disney-owned sports channel. 

Under ESPN ownership, NFL Network will air seven regular-season games per year, which could still include international games.