Wednesday’s contest between the United States women’s national team and the Netherlands set a record as the most-watched Women’s World Cup group-stage match in U.S. history, Fox Sports announced Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:
- The game drew 6.43 million viewers on Fox, surpassing the previous record (USWNT versus Chile in 2019) by over a million viewers.
- The matchup also brought in 1.165 million viewers on Telemundo, per media reporter Douglas Pucci.
- The two sides played to a 1-1 draw in the Group E clash — a rematch of the 2019 World Cup final — after a second-half equalizer by U.S. captain Lindsey Horan.
#USWNT draws BIG TIME numbers on FOX⚽️🇺🇸@FOXSports’ broadcast of @USWNT’s 2nd @FIFAWWC Group Stage match delivered 6.43 million viewers – making it the most-watched #FIFAWWC Group Stage match in U.S. English language TV history 📺🏆 pic.twitter.com/UjnQLEqqhZ
— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) July 27, 2023
The Athletic ’s instant analysis:
Why did this game set a viewership record?
Everything pointed to a great viewership number last night. The game aired in prime time (9 p.m. ET kickoff); the competition was limited (it’s a slow time of year in sports); there is significant interest in this team historically; and the match itself had stakes (an opponent ranked in the top 10 in the world). Fox also benefitted with the U.S. trailing at halftime; few people who invested in the match were likely to turn it off after Horan’s game-tying strike in the second half.
This was always going to be Fox’s best viewership opportunity for the group stage given the final group-stage match for the U.S. is against Portugal, which will air at 3 a.m. ET on Aug. 1. The record is a continuation of what has been an incredible year for high-end women’s sports when it comes to television viewership. — _Deitsch _
Required reading
- The fire that sparked the USWNT against the Dutch: Lindsey Horan’s fight, goal and reconciliation
- USWNT vs. Netherlands takeaways: Horan’s goal, Andonovski’s approach in 1-1 draw
- What do USWNT and Australia need to qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup knockout stage?
(Photo: VCG via Getty Images)
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