Soccer Viewership in US Surging Since World Cup
Nielsen said 75.2 million U.S. residents now identify as soccer fans, with MLS, the Premier League and LaLiga all posting major audience gains.
- Nielsen announced on Tuesday that the number of U.S. residents identifying as soccer fans increased 13%, growing from 66.8 million in July 2025 to 75.2 million in July 2026.
- Record tournament ratings have transitioned directly into club broadcasts, with Nielsen Global Head of Sports Seth Ladetsky stating the FIFA World Cup 2026 served as a catalyst for growth across North America.
- Major League Soccer regular-season matches on Fox and FS1 saw viewership rise 55% among men ages 18 to 34 and 29% among adults in that same age range following the tournament.
- Premier League broadcasts on NBC and USA Network rose 30% among adults 18 to 34, while LaLiga viewership on ESPN increased 42% overall, with a 60% jump among young adults.
- Over the past five years, soccer fandom in the U.S. has grown 27%, an increase of 16 million fans, with MLS commissioner Don Garber noting, "The journey started when the World Cup was granted.
12 Articles
12 Articles
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