The UEFA EURO 2020 tournament concluded with a historic victory for Italy over England in a penalty shootout, and it also marked a monumental milestone for soccer viewership in the United States. Broadcasted on ESPN, the final match captivated an average audience of 6,488,000 viewers, making it the most-watched European Football Championship match ever in the U.S. This remarkable figure represents a 43 percent increase compared to the 2016 Final, firmly establishing the 2020 Uefa Euro as a major sporting event in the American landscape. The final match’s viewership even eclipsed the EURO 2012 Final (Spain vs. Italy), which previously held the record with 4,567,000 viewers.
The thrilling final showdown wasn’t just a peak moment; it was part of a larger trend of surging interest in the 2020 UEFA Euro across the United States. In fact, the EURO 2020 Final stands as the most-viewed soccer telecast in the U.S. since July 2019, demonstrating the growing appetite for high-stakes international soccer. Audience engagement reached its zenith during the nail-biting penalty shootout, drawing in a staggering 8,199,000 viewers at its peak.
UEFA EURO Final Viewership in the U.S.:
| Date | Matchup | Network | Viewers (P2+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 11, 2021 | Italy vs. England | ESPN | 6,488,000 |
| July 1, 2012 | Spain vs. Italy | ESPN | 4,567,000 |
| July 10, 2016 | Portugal vs. France | ESPN | 4,538,000 |
| June 29, 2008 | Germany vs. Spain | ABC | 4,133,000 |
*The audience in this report reflects match windows*
The overall 2020 UEFA Euro tournament, broadcast across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, witnessed a significant surge in viewership. Across all 51 matches, the tournament averaged 1,363,000 viewers, a substantial 31 percent increase from the 2016 edition, which averaged 1,039,000 viewers on ESPN and ESPN2. This consistent growth throughout the tournament underscores the expanding popularity of the UEFA European Championship in the United States.
Round-by-Round Viewership Growth for 2020 UEFA Euro:
The 2020 UEFA Euro demonstrated consistent year-over-year growth in viewership across every stage of the tournament, highlighting its increasing appeal to American audiences.
- Group Stage: The 36 group stage matches broadcast on ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 averaged 870,000 viewers, marking a 23 percent increase compared to the 707,000 viewers for the EURO 2016 group stage.
- Round of 16: Viewership intensified in the knockout stages, with the eight Round of 16 matches on ABC and ESPN averaging 1,816,000 viewers. This represents a 38 percent increase from the 1,317,000 viewers in 2016.
- Quarterfinals: The four quarterfinal matches on ABC and ESPN maintained strong numbers, averaging 2,018,000 viewers, a 16 percent increase from the 1,737,000 viewers in 2016.
- Semifinals: The two highly anticipated semifinal clashes on ESPN averaged 2,561,000 viewers, a 37 percent jump from the 1,876,000 viewers in 2016.
Top-10 EURO Matches in the U.S. since 2008 (ABC/ESPN Era):
| Date | Matchup | Network | Viewers (P2+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, July 11, 2021 | Italy vs. England (Final) | ESPN | 6,488,000 |
| Sun, July 1, 2012 | Spain vs. Italy (Final) | ESPN | 4,567,000 |
| Sun, July 10, 2016 | Portugal vs. France (Final) | ESPN | 4,538,000 |
| Sun, June 29, 2008 | Germany vs. Spain (Final) | ABC | 4,133,000 |
| Sun, June 24, 2012 | England vs. Italy (Quarterfinal) | ESPN | 3,103,000 |
| Wed, July 7, 2021 | England vs. Denmark (Semifinal) | ESPN | 2,661,000 |
| Sun, June 17, 2021 | Belgium vs. Portugal (Round of 16) | ABC | 2,653,000 |
| Sat, July 3, 2021 | Ukraine vs. England (Quarterfinal) | ABC | 2,534,000 |
| Tue, July 6, 2021 | Italy vs. Spain (Semifinal) | ESPN | 2,461,000 |
| Fri, July 2, 2021 | Belgium vs. Italy (Quarterfinal) | ESPN | 2,368,000 |
The impressive viewership figures for the 2020 UEFA Euro solidify its position as a premier soccer tournament with a rapidly expanding fanbase in the United States. The significant increases across all stages compared to previous years indicate a growing enthusiasm for international soccer and the UEFA European Championship in particular, promising even greater interest in future tournaments.
