Viewership of the Premier League has increased by 20 percent among 18-34-year-olds in the United States during the current season, according to data from Nielsen Sports released on Monday. This rise in interest follows the U.S. cohosting of this year’s World Cup.
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US broadcasters NBC and the USA Network have averaged around 500,000 viewers for Premier League matches this season, marking a 3 percent increase overall as the sport gains popularity.
Jon Stainer, global general manager at Nielsen Sports, stated that the World Cup acted as a significant catalyst, broadening the demographic reach of the Premier League in the U.S. He noted that fandom for the league is reaching record heights, particularly among younger and more diverse audiences, which is also reflected in growing interest in major domestic and international leagues.
On August 29, just over one million Americans tuned in to watch Tottenham Hotspur lose 2-0 to Newcastle United, making it the most-watched Premier League match in the U.S. this season. Tottenham has featured in three of the six most-viewed Premier League games this season, including their 3-0 loss at Brentford and a 0-0 home draw against Everton.
Additionally, Major League Soccer has experienced a 23 percent increase in interest among 16-34 year-olds, thanks to heightened exposure leading up to the World Cup. Interest in the World Cup peaked at 87 million fans in July, with female supporters comprising 44 percent of the total fanbase, according to Nielsen Fan Insights, which gathers data through online surveys.