NFL faces competition from surging soccer TV ratings
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 3, 2026, 2:13 PM
Last updated Jul 3, 2026
Soccer's popularity in the U.S. is rising, highlighted by a record 33.5 million viewers for the World Cup match between the U.S. and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In comparison, the NFL's 2026 wild-card round averaged 32 million viewers, raising questions about American football's dominance. As the NFL aims to expand internationally, its competition grows at home, particularly with soccer attracting significant audiences in NFL stadiums. ESPN noted contrasting viewership figures for soccer and NFL events, emphasizing the challenges the NFL faces in maintaining its supremacy.
- •33.5 million viewers watched the U.S. win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup.
- •NFL's 2026 wild-card round drew an average of 32 million viewers.
- •ESPN highlighted the stark difference between soccer and NFL viewership.
- •Soccer's rise occurs as the NFL seeks to penetrate global markets.
- •Soccer's popularity is increasing within the NFL's domestic market.
- 2:13 PMYahoo Sports — Is the NFL getting a little nervous about soccer's TV success?
"Latest U.S. win drew more on average than the 2026 wild-card round.
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