UEFA Euro 2021 Shatters Viewership Records in the United States

The Uefa Euro 2021 tournament concluded with a historic final match between Italy and England, and the viewership numbers in the United States have been nothing short of spectacular. ESPN’s broadcast of the final, which saw Italy triumph in a penalty shootout, became the most-watched European Football Championship match ever in the U.S., drawing an average audience of 6,488,000 viewers. This figure represents a 43 percent increase compared to the Euro 2016 final, demonstrating the growing popularity of European soccer in the American market.

This remarkable viewership for the UEFA Euro 2021 final also marks it as the most-viewed soccer telecast in the United States since July 2019, further highlighting its significance in the American sports landscape. The peak audience during the dramatic penalty shootout reached an astounding 8,199,000 viewers, illustrating the captivating nature of the contest and its ability to draw in a massive audience.

The overall UEFA Euro 2021 tournament, broadcast across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, averaged 1,363,000 viewers across all 51 matches. This impressive average viewership represents a 31 percent increase compared to the Euro 2016 tournament, showcasing the sustained growth of interest in UEFA European Championship football among U.S. audiences.

Breaking down the tournament viewership by rounds further emphasizes the escalating interest in UEFA Euro 2021:

• Group Stage: The 36 group stage matches averaged 870,000 viewers, a 23 percent increase from Euro 2016.
• Round of 16: The eight matches in the Round of 16 saw an average of 1,816,000 viewers, a significant 38 percent increase compared to 2016.
• Quarterfinals: The four quarterfinal matches averaged 2,018,000 viewers, a 16 percent increase from the previous tournament.
• Semifinals: The two semifinal clashes captivated an average audience of 2,561,000 viewers, a 37 percent increase compared to Euro 2016.

Notably, UEFA Euro 2021 matches dominate the list of the top 10 most-viewed EURO matches since ABC/ESPN began broadcasting the tournament in 2008. The final between Italy and England leads the chart, followed by the 2012 final and 2016 final. However, UEFA Euro 2021 also boasts multiple entries in the top 10, including the England vs. Denmark semifinal, Belgium vs. Portugal Round of 16 match, Ukraine vs. England quarterfinal, Italy vs. Spain semifinal, and Belgium vs. Italy quarterfinal. This strong representation underscores the immense popularity and viewership success of UEFA Euro 2021 in the United States, solidifying its place as a premier soccer event for American audiences.