League: NFL Sport: Football Country: United States Category: Scores & Results

Cowboys-Giants matchup draws 25.7 million viewers for SNF opener

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 16, 2026, 1:30 AM

Last updated Sep 16, 2026

Cowboys-Giants matchup draws 25.7 million viewers for SNF opener

Summary

The Dallas Cowboys faced the New York Giants in a highly anticipated Sunday Night Football opener on September 15, averaging 25.7 million viewers across NBC and Peacock. This figure marks the most-watched season opener for NBC since 2015, with viewership peaking at 29 million during the second quarter. The matchup saw a four percent increase from last season's opener. This year, two NBC NFL opening-weekend games averaged over 25 million viewers, indicating strong interest in the league despite lower ratings for other matchups. Upcoming games include the Indianapolis Colts against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos versus the Los Angeles Rams.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Event took place on September 15, 2026.
•Viewership peaked at 29 million during the second quarter.
•Averaged 25.7 million viewers, the best since 2015.
•Four percent increase from last season's opener.
•Upcoming games feature Colts vs. Chiefs and Broncos vs. Rams.

Latest Updates

1:30 AMYahoo Sports — Cowboys-Giants was most-watched ‘Sunday Night Football’ season opener since 2015

What they're saying

"
ESPN’s Stanford Steve said last week he was “so tired” of watching the New York Giants play the Dallas Cowboys in primetime. Clearly, America disagrees. NBC Sports announced Tuesday that Sunday’s Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants matchup averaged 25.7 million on NBC and Peacock, according to Nielsen Big Data and internal data, making it the most-watched…
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Indianapolis Colts Kansas City Chiefs Los Angeles Rams New England Patriots NFL Football