Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Women’s Euros Smashes Viewership, Attendance Marks

  • The UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final was the most-watched women’s soccer match ever in the U.K.
  • The game also had the highest attendance for any men’s or women’s Euros final.
Womens-Euros-champions
UEFA Euro 2022

England’s victory over Germany in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 final wasn’t the only win at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

The game was the most-watched women’s soccer match ever in the U.K., attracting a peak audience of 17.4 million on the BBC and 5.9 million streams on digital platforms. The previous record-holder, England’s 2019 World Cup semi-final defeat, was 11.7 million. 

In Germany, 17.9 million viewers tuned in.

But that’s not all. There were 87,192 fans in attendance — the highest ever for any men’s or women’s European national team tournament game.

  • With an average of 18,544 fans, it was the best attended tournament in its history. 
  • Combined spectatorship reached 574,875, more than doubling the previous record of 240,555 in 2017.

UEFA recently revealed that 54% of the group stages’ viewership was driven by neutral followers.

Money Well Spent

Ahead of Sunday’s game, GlobalData projected that fans would spend $167 million during the match, with $56 million spent in pubs, bars, and restaurants — fans were predicted to consume over 8 million pints of beer or cider ahead of the game. 

Of the overall figure, $112 million was estimated to go toward snacks, drinks, and merchandise for fans watching at home. 

A study published by Ernst & Young in May projected the 16-team tournament would generate $65.6 million in revenue for its nine host cities, nearly quadrupling the revenue generated during the 2017 competition.

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

Will Mexican Soccer Ever Return to Promotion and Relegation?

Arturo Lomeli, owner of a Liga MX second-tier team, wants reforms.

World Cup Final Averaged More Than 66 Million Viewers

The final posted the largest U.S. television audience since the Super Bowl.

NFLPA Uses World Cup Final to Renew Push for Grass Fields

The union begins a coordinated campaign to pressure team owners.
Soccer Football - Serie A - AC Milan v Hellas Verona - San Siro, Milan, Italy - December 28, 2025 Former footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic before the match REUTERS/Daniele Mascolo

After Breakout World Cup, Zlatan Leaves Fox With Leverage

The former striker said his Fox Sports stint was one-and-done.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/22/26 – World Cup Final Ratings, ESPN Layoffs, LeBron Waits, WFAN to SiriusXM

0:00

Featured Today

Tom's Watch Bar

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium
July 16, 2026

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.
Cam Newton and Ryan Clark share a laugh during ESPN First Take at Bethune-Cookman University during the show’s HBCU fall tour, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.

5 Takeaways From ESPN’s Latest Layoffs

Ryan Clark, Cam Newton, and Karl Ravech were among those laid off.
Feb 13, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; NBC Peacock play-by-play announcer Noah Eagle during an NBA All Star Rising Stars game at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive
July 21, 2026

Noah Eagle Expected to Call Netflix NFL Australia Game

The Sept. 10 matchup will feature the Rams and 49ers.
July 22, 2026

Jays, Leafs Owner to Put Stake in Sports Empire Up for Sale

The dominant Canadian entity continues to make large-scale moves.
Sponsored

Inside the EY 2026 Sports Engagement Index: The Real Map of American Sports Participation

EY’s latest index explores how shifting U.S. fan behaviors are expanding the definition of sports engagement.
Inglewood, CA - May 5, 2026 - NFL Los Angeles Studio 1: The NFL Network Leaders in Conversation panel.
July 21, 2026

ESPN Layoffs Tied to NFL Network Acquisition: Full Tracker

Disney completed its acquisition of NFL Network earlier this year.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
July 21, 2026

ESPN to Lay Off Anchor David Lloyd, Analyst Stephania Bell

Lloyd had been with ESPN since 1997, while Bell joined in 2008.
Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Tom Pelissero on the NFL Network set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
July 21, 2026

ESPN Expected to Lay Off NFL Insider Tom Pelissero

Pelissero had been at NFL Network since 2017.
Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; ESPN commentator Karl Ravech before the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
July 21, 2026

ESPN to Lay Off Karl Ravech After More Than 30 Years

Ravech had been with the network since 1993.