Saturday, May 9, 2026

Super Bowl LVIII Scores Big With International Viewers

  • Global audiences for the game grew 10% from last year.
  • It’s a promising data point as the league expands globally, with its first game in Brazil coming up.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL released its international Super Bowl audience numbers Wednesday, revealing a 10% increase in viewership from last year’s game.

According to the league, 62.5 million viewers watched the Chiefs’ overtime victory over the 49ers, which also marked the game’s biggest U.S. audience with 202.4 million cumulative viewers. Per the league, total audience numbers hit 24.1 million in Mexico, 18.8 million in Canada, 3.8 million in Germany, 3.7 million in the United Kingdom, and nearly 3 million in Australia. Average viewership went up between 5% and 26% compared to last year in those countries. Meanwhile, China clocked its most-watched Super Bowl in seven years.

The growing audiences in Germany and the U.K.—which averaged 1.9 million and 1.2 million viewers, respectively, a 13% and 18% jump from last year—were particularly impressive given that kickoff took place after midnight in Germany (and only an hour earlier in London) and that the game stretched to nearly two overtimes.

That growth is an encouraging metric for the league as it continues to expand its international reach. The NFL held five international games in 2023, with three in London and two in first-time host Frankfurt, Germany. Among the five international contests next season: South America will get its first NFL game when the Eagles start their season in Sāo Paulo, Brazil, on the Friday of kickoff weekend. 

In addition to viewership, the league also shared that NFL social media channels saw significant increases in follower count and engagement across all international markets.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Skip Bayless, Stephen A Smith Shae Cornette First Take
opinion

Skip Bayless Re-Energizes ‘First Take’ in ESPN Return

Will more appearances by Bayless follow?
NFL Referee Carl Cheffers signals a penalty during the Buffalo Bills game against the Cincinnati Bengals at home in Orchard Park on Jan. 22.

NFL and Refs Ratify New 7-Year CBA

The seven-year deal eliminates the need for replacement officials.
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell holds a Terrible Towel during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.

All Eyes on Networks, Streamers as NFL Readies Schedule Release

The highly anticipated slate will drop on Thursday.
exclusive

What Illinois’s $20M Jumbotron Says About the Future of CFB Stadiums

Illinois installed the largest video display in college football in January.

Featured Today

Matt Palumb

Pro Lacrosse’s Top Ref Is As Famous As the Players

The last celebrity referee is in the Premier Lacrosse League.
May 2, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Saba Lobjanidze (11) reacts to his goal against the CF Montréal in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit
May 7, 2026

How Atlanta Unexpectedly Became the Epicenter of U.S. Soccer

U.S. Soccer is opening a new national HQ in Georgia.
Tottenham Hotspur
May 6, 2026

Tottenham Hotspur Is Facing a Billion-Dollar Disaster

A seemingly improbable drop to England’s second tier is a tangible possibility.
Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Final - Royal Challengers Bengaluru v Punjab Kings - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, India - June 4, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Rajat Patidar lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Indian Premier League
May 5, 2026

How Private Equity Fell in Love With Indian Cricket

India’s U.S.-style cricket league has become a private-equity playground.
Mina Kimes on Front Office News

Mina Kimes Wants to Bring Super Bowl Vibe to Spelling Bee

Kimes will host the Scripps National Spelling Bee later this month.
Mar 21, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) reacts to a call against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
opinion
May 7, 2026

Draymond Green Embarrassed Himself With Charles Barkley Diss

Green took an ill-advised swipe at Barkley’s four seasons in Houston.
Potawatomi Sports Book patrons watch from the bar the University of Wisconsin men play UCLA on Friday, March 14, 2025. The venue is open for the first time during March Madness and is expecting to be busy over the next few weeks in Milwaukee.
May 7, 2026

Live Sports Streaming Ad Market Rife With Fraud, Experts Say

The rise of streaming has led to issues with ad sales.
Sponsored

What Is It Like to Run the Knicks?

Dave Checketts on his time running the Knicks & Jazz, Jordan war stories, and his investment strategy across major sports leagues.
Jun 7, 2025; Paris, FR; General view of Court Philippe Chatrier for the Coco Gauff of the United States and Aryna Sabalenka womenÕs final on day 14 at Roland Garros Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images
May 7, 2026

Venus Williams, John Isner Expand Roles on TNT French Open Coverage

Genie Bouchard is also joining TNT’s coverage.
May 7, 2026

MLB Is Seeing an Early Ratings Lift From New-Look TV Deals

The league’s new-look rights pacts are paying off so far.
May 6, 2026

Kara Lawson Took Amazon Job to Scout WNBA Players for Team USA

Lawson will be a WNBA game analyst for Amazon Prime Video.
May 6, 2026

ESPN Revenue Rises, but Disney’s Sports Profits Slip

Disney detailed the impact of heightened sports rights fees on the company.