Most-watched soccer games
Mike Koeshartanto

Most-Watched Soccer Games

In addition to our monthly Soccer on TV recaps, we’re now tracking the most-watched soccer broadcasts per week. From the Premier League to Liga MX and NWSL to La Liga, check in periodically to see what leagues and teams soccer fans are tuning into weekly.

In 2020 there were over 2,000 games broadcast on U.S. TV networks despite the global pandemic and shifted league calendars. Whether you watched a game on ESPN, TUDN, beIN SPORTS, or Galavision, your viewership help contribute to the attention on the sport. What does 2021 have in store?

Most-watched soccer games in 2021

Week 1: Jan. 1st – Jan. 7th

With the 2021 Liga MX Clausura not beginning until January 7th, the European leagues, especially the Premier League, garnered the most viewers in the first week of 2020.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
1/3Premier LeagueMan CityChelseaNBCSN680
1/1Premier LeagueAston VillaMan UnitedNBCSN603
1/1Premier LeagueWest HamEvertonNBCSN415
1/2Premier LeagueSheffieldCrystal PalaceNBCSN385
1/4Premier LeagueLiverpoolSouthamptonNBCSN378
1/3Premier LeagueLeicester CityNewcastleNBCSN353
1/2Premier LeagueLeedsTottenhamNBCSN247
1/3La LigaHuescaBarcelonabeIN SPORTS Español136
1/2La LigaReal MadridCelta de VigobeIN SPORTS Español125
1/6La LigaBilbaoBarcelonabeIN SPORTS Español105

Week 2: Jan. 8th – Jan. 14th

The Liga MX Clausura began an accounted for 60 percent of the ten most-watched games.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
1/9Liga MXClub AmericaSan LuisTUDN390
1/8Liga MXPueblaChivasTUDN373
1/9Liga MXTigresLeonTUDN309
1/10Liga MXSantos LagunaCruz AzulFox Deportes307
1/12Premier LeagueMan UnitedBurnleyNBCSN277
1/13Premier LeagueFulhamTottenhamNBCSN270
1/8Liga MXMazatlanNecaxaTUDN245
1/14Premier LeagueCrystal PalaceArsenalNBCSN228
1/13Premier LeagueBrightonMan CityNBCSN171
1/11Liga MXPachucaJuarezTUDN162

Week 3: Jan. 15th – Jan. 21st

The U.S. Women’s National Team played their first game of 2021 and it accounted for nearly 400,000 viewers on Fox Sports 1.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
1/16Liga MXMonterreyClub AmericaFox Deportes657
1/17Premier LeagueTottenhamSheffieldNBCSN403
1/18International FriendlyUSA WomenColombia WomenFox Sports 1396
1/18Premier LeagueNewcastleArsenalNBCSN361
1/17Super CopaBarcelonaBilbaoESPN345
1/16Premier LeagueBrightonLeedsNBCSN319
1/19Premier LeagueChelseaLeicester CityNBCSN314
1/16Liga MXCruz AzulPueblaTUDN297
1/21Liga MXAtletico San LuisChivasTUDN295
1/15Liga MXJuarezTijuanaTUDN283

Week 4: Jan. 22nd – Jan. 28th

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s lovely strike for Tottenham wasn’t enough in their defeat against Liverpool on NBC Sports Network – the most-watched game of the week.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
1/28Premier LeagueLiverpoolTottenhamNBCSN426
1/22International FriendlyUSA WomenColombia WomenESPN2317
1/23Liga MXAtlasTigresTUDN289
1/27Premier LeagueSheffieldMan UnitedNBCSN281
1/22Liga MXMazatlanSantos LagunaTUDN265
1/28Liga MXTigresNecaxaTUDN263
1/22Liga MXPueblaTijuanaTUDN252
1/24Liga MXQueretaroPumasTUDN245
1/25Liga MXPachucaCruz AzulTUDN225
1/26Premier LeagueMan CityWest BromNBCSN161

Week 5: Jan. 29th – Feb. 4th

The U.S. Men’s National Team’s 7-goal domination of Trinidad on FS1 was the fourth most-viewed broadcast of this week.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
1/30Premier LeagueSheffield UnitedMan CityNBCSN431
1/31Liga MXSantos LagunaClub AmericaFOX Deportes407
1/29Liga MXMazatlanPachucaTUDN258
1/31Int'l FriendlyUSATrinidad & TobagoFS1258
1/30Liga MXCruz AzulQueretaroTUDN241
1/30Premier LeagueNewcastleEvertonNBCSN189
1/31La LigaBarcelonaAthletic BilbaobeIN Español188
1/30Liga MXTijuanaTolucaFOX Deportes141
1/31Liga MXTigresAtlasTUDN112
1/30Copa LibertadoresPalmeirasSantosbeIN Español111

Week 6: Feb. 5th to Feb. 11th

Manchester City widened their lead atop the Premier League standings after defeating Liverpool in the most-viewed broadcast of the week. Nearly 1 million viewers tuned into the NBC Sports Network for the game.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
1/7Premier LeagueMan CityLiverpoolNBCSN973
1/6Premier LeagueEvertonMan UnitedNBCSN592
1/7Premier LeagueLeicester CityWolverhamptonNBCSN449
1/6Liga MXClub AmericaPueblaTUDN426
1/6Premier LeagueSouthamptonNewcastleNBCSN415
1/7Club World CupPalmeirasTigresFOX Deportes372
1/11Club World CupBayern MunichTigresFOX Deportes344
1/8Liga MXLeonChivasTUDN304
1/6Premier LeagueArsenalAston VillaNBCSN238
1/7La LigaBetisBarcelonabeIN Español217

Week 7: Feb. 12th to Feb. 18th

Four different competitions feature among the most-viewed broadcasts of this week: Premier League, SheBelieves Cup, Liga MX, and the UEFA Champions League.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
1/14Premier LeagueLeeds UnitedArsenalNBCSN594
1/18SheBelieves CupUSA WomenCanada WomenFS1498
1/14Premier LeagueMan UnitedWest BromNBCSN451
1/13Premier LeagueBurnleyCrystal PalaceNBCSN420
1/13Premier LeagueLiverpoolLeicester CityNBCSN364
1/15Premier LeagueNewcastleChelseaNBCSN323
1/14Liga MXSantosMonterreyFOX Deportes283
1/17Liga MXTigresCruz AzulTUDN283
1/13Liga MXClub AmericaQueretaroTUDN272
1/16UCLBarcelonaPSGTUDN270

Week 8: Feb. 19th to Feb. 25th

The final two SheBelieves Cup matches for the USWNT were the two most-watched broadcasts of the week. The two combined for over a million viewers on Fox Sports 1.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
2/21SheBelieves CupUSABrazilFox Sports 1568
2/24SheBelieves CupUSAArgentinaFox Sports 1530
2/21Liga MXTigresTijuanaTUDN420
2/20Premier LeagueWest BromBurnleyNBCSN395
2/20Liga MXAtlasClub AméricaTUDN386
2/22Liga MXPachucaChivasTUDN336
2/20Premier LeagueChelseaSouthamptonNBCSN292
2/25Liga MXAtletico San LuisTigresTUDN287
2/20Liga MXCruz AzulTolucaTUDN257
2/19Liga MXJuarezMazatlanTUDN256

Week 9: Feb. 26th to Mar. 4th

The draw between Manchester United and Chelsea on Feb. 28th was viewed by over 750,000 people on NBC Sports Network. This total was over 300,000 viewers more than the second most-watched broadcast this week.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
2/28Premier LeagueManchester UnitedChelseaNBCSN758
2/27Premier LeagueBrightonWest BromNBCSN434
2/28Premier LeagueBurnleyTottenhamNBCSN366
2/27Liga MXClub LeónCruz AzulTUDN333
2/27Liga MXClub AméricaPachucaTUDN313
3/3Liga MXTijuanaClub AméricaFOX Deportes309
2/26Liga MXMazatlanQueretaroTUDN288
2/27Premier LeagueWest HamManchester CityNBCSN276
3/2Liga MXClub LeónPueblaTUDN254
3/3Liga MXQueretaroChivasTUDN251

Week 10: Mar. 5th to Mar. 11th

Despite ABC airing Bayern Munich’s comeback victory against Borussia Dortmund, Manchester United played in the most-watched soccer broadcast for the second week in a row.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
3/7Premier LeagueMan UnitedMan CityNBCSN760
3/6BundesligaBayern MunichDortmundABC576
3/7Premier LeagueFulhamLiverpoolNBCSN433
3/6Premier LeagueWolverhamptonAston VillaNBCSN407
3/6Liga MXMazatlanChivasTUDN391
3/6Premier LeagueSouthamptonSheffield UnitedNBCSN375
3/10UCLPSGBarcelonaTUDN349
3/6Liga MXClub AméricaClub LeónTUDN314
3/7Liga MXPumasCruz AzulTUDN305
3/5Liga MXPueblaTigresTUDN274

Week 11: Mar. 12th to Mar. 18th

In the latest edition of El Súper Clásico, Telemundo and the simulcast on Universo garnered 1.7 million viewers.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
3/14Liga MXChivasClub AméricaTelemundo, Universo1,700
3/14Premier LeagueTottenhamArsenalNBCSN576
3/14Premier LeagueWest HamMan UnitedNBCSN524
3/13Premier LeagueWest BromCrystal PalaceNBCSN332
3/13Premier LeagueChelseaLeedsNBCSN291
3/13Liga MXCruz AzulMonterreyTUDN288
3/15Premier LeagueLiverpoolWolverhamptonNBCSN288
3/18Liga MXPachucaTigresTUDN283
3/18Olympic QualifyingMexico U23Dominican Rep. U23TUDN277
3/13Liga MXTigresMazatlanTUDN257

Week 12: Mar. 19th to Mar. 25th

Concacaf Olympic Qualifying was featured heavily in this week’s most-watched games. Mexico’s defeat of the U.S. in the last group game was seen by 612,000 viewers on TUDN and 287,000 on FOX Sports 1.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
3/24Olympic Qualif.Mexico U23USA U23TUDN612
3/21Olympic Qualif.Costa Rica U23Mexico U23TUDN447
3/19Liga MXMazatlanClub AméricaTUDN384
3/20Liga MXCruz AzulAtlasTUDN298
3/24Olympic Qualif.Mexico U23USA U23FS1287
3/25Int'l FriendlyUSAJamaicaESPN2267
3/21Premier LeagueTottenhamAston VillaNBCSN253
3/21Olympic Qualif.Dominican Rep. U23USA U23TUDN241
3/25Olympic Qualif.Honduras U23Canada U23TUDN209
3/21Olympic Qualif.Dominican Rep. U23USA U23FS1202

Week 13: Mar. 26th to Apr. 1st

The USMNT friendly against Northern Ireland on FOX was the most-watched broadcast of the week, but Concacaf Olympic Qualifying broadcasts on TUDN and FOX Sports 1 also featured heavily.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
3/28International FriendlyNorthern IrelandUSAFOX835
3/30Olympic QualifyingHonduras U23Mexico U23TUDN673
3/28Olympic QualifyingMexico U23Canada U23TUDN573
3/28Olympic QualifyingHonduras U23USA U23FOX Sports 1330
3/27International FriendlyWalesMexicoTUDN317
3/28Olympic QualifyingHonduras U23USA U23TUDN267
3/30International FriendlyCosta RicaMexicoTUDN210
3/28Olympic QualifyingMexico U23Canada U23FOX Sports 1165
3/28International FriendlyNorthern IrelandUSATUDN123
3/27World Cup QualifyingNorwayTurkeyESPN2122

Week 14: Apr. 2nd to Apr. 8th

60 percent of the most-watched broadcasts from the week featured the Premier League. Manchester United’s victory over Brighton, seen on NBCSN, was the most-watched broadcast of the week.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
4/2Premier LeagueBrightonMan UnitedNBCSN494
4/3Premier LeagueMan CityLeicester CityNBCSN451
4/4Liga MXChivasSantos LagunaTelemundo442
4/3Premier LeagueLiverpoolArsenalNBCSN433
4/3Premier LeagueSheffieldLeedsNBCSN386
4/4Premier LeagueFulhamAston VillaNBCSN382
4/3Liga MXClub AméricaNecaxaTUDN379
4/7CCLOlimpiaClub AméricaTUDN351
4/4Liga MXLeonTolucaTUDN350
4/4Premier LeagueTottenhamNewcastleNBCSN314

Week 15: Apr. 9th to Apr. 15th

The most-watched network TV game of the week saw the USWNT tie Sweden on FOX in front of over 700,000 viewers. However, it wasn’t enough to best the most-watched broadcast of the week – Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace on NBCSN.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
4/10Premier LeagueChelseaCrystal PalaceNBCSN737
4/10International FriendlySweden WomenUSWNTFOX713
4/10Premier LeagueAston VillaLiverpoolNBCSN426
4/10Liga MXTigresClub AméricaTUDN414
4/10Liga MXCruz AzulChivasTUDN347
4/10La LigaReal MadridBarcelonabeIN SPORTS Español343
4/14CCLClub AméricaOlimpiaTUDN294
4/13International FriendlyFrance WomenUSWNTESPN2288
4/14Liga MXJuarezTigresTUDN288
4/13UCLPSGBayern MunichTUDN277

Week 16: Apr. 16th to Apr. 22nd

MLS returned this week and featured the two most-watched broadcasts of the week – both of which were network broadcasts. Austin FC’s debut was watched by nearly 500,000 on FOX, while Chicharito’s return to goalscoring form was watched by 482,000 on ABC.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
4/17MLSLAFCAustin FCFOX485
4/18MLSInter MiamiLA GalaxyABC482
4/17Liga MXClub AméricaCruz AzulTUDN430
4/18Premier LeagueBurnleyMan UnitedNBCSN416
4/16Liga MXMazatlanAtlasTUDN292
4/21Liga MXMonterreyChivasFOX Deportes261
4/19Premier LeagueLiverpoolLeedsNBCSN250
4/18Liga MXMonterreyPachucaFOX Deportes244
4/21Premier LeagueMan CityAston VillaNBCSN212
4/16Premier LeagueTottenhamEvertonNBCSN195

Week 17: Apr. 23rd to Apr. 29th

Liga MX teams featured in seven of the ten most-watched soccer broadcasts this week, six of which were Liga MX games. However, the most-watched broadcast of the week goes to the Premier League and NBCSN.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
4/25Premier LeagueMan UnitedLeeds UnitedNBCSN434
4/28CCLPortlandClub AméricaTUDN406
4/23Liga MXMazatlanLeonTUDN391
4/25Liga MXQueretaroJuarezTUDN390
4/24Liga MXAtlasChivasTUDN384
4/24Liga MXTigresMonterreyTUDN382
4/27UCLReal MadridChelseaTUDN314
4/25Liga MXTolucaClub AméricaTUDN307
4/28UCLReal MadridChelseaTUDN236
4/23Liga MXPueblaPumasTUDN227

Week 18: Apr. 30th to May 6th

TUDN’s broadcast of the second leg quarterfinal of the Concacaf Champions League between Club América and the Portland Timbers was the most-watched broadcast of the week.

DateCompetitionTeamTeamNetworkViewers (000)
5/6CCLClub AméricaPortland TimbersTUDN441
5/2Liga MXPumasClub AméricaTUDN433
5/5UCLChelseaReal MadridTUDN376
5/2Premier LeagueSheffield UnitedTottenhamNBCSN366
5/2Premier LeagueArsenalNewcastleNBCSN359
5/2MLSSeattleLA GalaxyFOX Sports 1285
5/2MLSNashvilleInter MiamiESPN283
5/1Premier LeagueLeeds UnitedBrightonNBCSN279
5/4UCLMan CityPSGTUDN266
4/30Liga MXFC JuarezTolucaTUDN245

A big thank you to the folks at ShowBuzzDaily for amalgamating all of the daily TV ratings that allow us to showcase the games fans watch the most.

Categories: Broadcast, Research