• Loading stock data...
Friday, January 23, 2026

US-Netherlands Sets Women’s World Cup Group Stage Ratings Record

  • USA-Netherlands drew 6.43 million viewers on FOX and another 1.1M on Telemundo.
  • It ranks as the most-watched WWC Group Stage match ever on English-language TV.
It ranks as the most-watched WWC Group Stage match ever on English-language TV.
Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports

USA-Netherlands resulted in a 1-1 draw on the pitch, but it was a win for FOX as it was the most-watched group stage Women’s World Cup match ever for an English-language network.

FOX scored a record 6.429 million viewers for Wednesday’s match in New Zealand, according to Sports TV Ratings. It makes back-to-back strong showings for FOX in its first two Women’s World Cup broadcasts, as the USWNT’s first game against Vietnam averaged 5,261,000 viewers on FOX, ranking as the network’s third-most watched group stage telecast since FOX started covering the WWC in 2015.

Telemundo’s Spanish-language broadcast of Wednesday’s match drew 1.165 million viewers, totaling nearly 8 million U.S. viewers. 

Wednesday’s match blew past the previous Women’s World Cup group stage record on FOX, the USWNT’s 2019 match against Chile, which averaged 5.3 million viewers. FOX’s 6.4 million Wednesday figure ranks as the seventh most-watched Women’s World Cup match. 

The 2015 U.S.-Japan Final on FOX drew 25.4 million viewers is the most-watched Women’s World Cup match ever, and it remains the most-watched broadcast featuring a U.S. soccer team. It ranked as the most-watched soccer game in U.S. history until last year’s men’s World Cup Final between Argentina and France recorded 26.7 million viewers, though that figure includes streaming and Spanish-language viewers.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

49ers

NFL Wild-Card Games Draw Massive Viewership

The bullish viewership includes another league streaming record.
Dec 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Fox broadcaster Tom Brady is seen prior to the game between the Detroit Lions and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium.
opinion

Tom Brady’s Wild-Card Clinic Showed He’s Made the Jump

Brady has been more willing to criticize the play of QBs like Jalen Hurts.
Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Jay Glazer at Fox Sports media day at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

How Jay Glazer Has Gone on an NFL Scoop Streak

The NFL insider says his job is to “give you something no one knows.”

How Tom Brady Has Improved in Year 2 on Fox

A veteran Fox NFL producer told FOS what has improved.

Featured Today

Sports Goes All In on Non-Alcoholic Drinks Boom

Athletes, teams, and leagues are pouring money into the NA beverage category.
Tulsa Portal House
January 16, 2026

Inside the Tulsa Portal House: ‘This Will Translate to Wins’

The Golden Hurricane set up an over-the-top battle station for football recruiting.
Black Rabbit
January 10, 2026

The Netflix Star Who Makes Sure NBA Players Have Clean Towels

How a Nets staffer landed a breakout role on “Black Rabbit.”
January 9, 2026

NHL Ditched Its Dress Code. Hockey’s Fashion Era Arrived Quickly

With no dress code, impeccably dressed players are seeing big-money deals.
exclusive

Molly Qerim Hosting Zuffa Boxing in First Post-ESPN Job

The move reunites her with former ESPN colleague Max Kellerman.
January 22, 2026

Australian Open Fans Struggle With ESPN’s Tiered Streaming

Watching all the matches online requires the highest tier of ESPN’s service.
January 22, 2026

CFP Title Game Draws 30.1M Viewers, Most-Watched Since 2015

Viewership surges 36% for the Hoosiers’ win to seal an undefeated season.
Sponsored

ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025: Inside the Technology Shaping the Future of..

At ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025, ESPN showcased how AI, immersive tech, and a rebuilt direct-to-consumer platform are redefining the future of sports media.
January 22, 2026

Could Rex Ryan Return to NFL After Decade at ESPN?

New Giants coach John Harbaugh floated hiring the ESPN personality.
January 22, 2026

NFL Playoff Ratings Surge As NBC, ESPN Set Network Records

Both NBC and ESPN set network records with their Sunday playoff games.
Dec 13, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Charles Barkley interviews Kentucky Wildcats forward Mouhamed Dioubate after the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center.
January 22, 2026

Charles Barkley Wants Balanced Schedule for ‘Inside the NBA’ on ESPN

“We’ve only been on ESPN four times in three months.”
January 22, 2026

Winter Storm Is Disrupting Sports, but NFL Could See a TV Boost

A growing collection of teams and leagues are cancelling and postponing games.