As COVID-19 pushed spring and summer events to late summer and fall, there was excitement around the idea of the jam-packed sports schedule. That slate seems to have posed a dilemma to many viewers in picking what to watch.
Events that were moved from May and June garnered historic viewership lows in their adjusted August and September dates. Even the NFL struggled its first two weeks — down 8% and 5% in viewership year-over-year, respectively — before bouncing back to even with 2019 in Week 3.
While viewership has struggled, sports betting has hit a hot streak, with New Jersey and Pennsylvania hitting all-time highs in August. Advertisers, too, are likely happy sports are back — the NFL has the top 15 TV programs since the season started.
New Viewership Lows
NBA Finals Game 1: -45%, all time low
Stanley Cup Final: -61%, 13-year low
U.S. Open final round: -56%, all-time low
Kentucky Derby: -43%, all-time low
Indy 500: -32%, all-time low
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/USATSI_26636703-scaled-e1770932227605.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
