The UEFA EURO 2020 final, a thrilling clash between Italy and England culminating in a dramatic penalty shootout victory for Italy, has etched its name in U.S. television history. The Euro Cup Match captivated an average audience of 6,488,000 viewers on ESPN, making it the most-watched European Football Championship match ever broadcast in the United States. This landmark viewership surpasses all previous records, marking a 43 percent increase compared to the 2016 final and eclipsing the prior high of 4,567,000 viewers set by the EURO 2012 final.
This euro cup match wasn’t just a final; it was a cultural moment. The intense competition and nail-biting finish propelled it to become the most-viewed soccer telecast in the U.S. since July 2019, demonstrating the growing appetite for high-stakes international soccer among American audiences. The peak viewership hit an astounding 8,199,000 viewers during the penalty shootout, highlighting the captivating drama that unfolded on the field.
Euro Cup Match Viewership in the U.S. – A Historical Comparison:
| 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 |
*Audience figures reflect match windows.
The overall UEFA EURO 2020 tournament also witnessed a significant surge in viewership across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2. An average audience of 1,363,000 viewers tuned in for each of the 51 matches, representing a 31 percent increase from the 2016 tournament. This consistent growth underscores the expanding popularity of the European Championship and euro cup matches within the United States.
Breakdown of Euro Cup Match Viewership by Rounds:
- Group Stage: 36 matches averaged 870,000 viewers, a 23 percent increase.
- Round of 16: 8 matches averaged 1,816,000 viewers, a 38 percent increase.
- Quarterfinals: 4 matches averaged 2,018,000 viewers, a 16 percent increase.
- Semifinals: Averaged 2,561,000 viewers, a 37 percent increase.
Top 10 Most-Watched Euro Cup Matches on ABC/ESPN (Since 2008):
| 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 |
These impressive viewership figures solidify the UEFA European Championship as a major draw for U.S. sports fans. The thrilling euro cup matches and compelling narratives throughout the tournament clearly resonated with American audiences, setting new benchmarks for soccer viewership in the nation.
