The UEFA Euro 2020 final between Italy and England not only delivered a thrilling penalty shootout but also smashed viewership records in the United States. Broadcast on ESPN, the final became the most-watched European Football Championship match ever in the US, drawing an average audience of 6,488,000 viewers. This landmark figure represents a significant 43 percent increase compared to the Euro 2016 final, highlighting the growing popularity of European soccer among American audiences. The intense final even saw viewership peak at 8,199,000 during the dramatic penalty kicks, underscoring the captivating nature of the contest.
Euro 2020 Final: A Viewership Triumph
The Euro 2020 final’s impressive viewership numbers solidify its place as a major sporting event in the US. Surpassing the previous high of 4,567,000 viewers for the Euro 2012 final between Spain and Italy, the Italy vs. England match has set a new benchmark for European Championship broadcasts in the United States. Furthermore, this final was the most-watched soccer telecast in the US since July 2019, indicating a strong and sustained interest in high-stakes international soccer.
To put the Euro 2020 final’s success into perspective, consider the viewership figures from previous finals:
| 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 |
Tournament-Wide Viewership Growth for Euro 2020
The success wasn’t limited to just the final match. UEFA Euro 2020, broadcast across ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2, witnessed a substantial increase in viewership throughout the entire tournament. Across all 51 matches, the tournament averaged 1,363,000 viewers, a remarkable 31 percent jump from the 2016 edition, which averaged 1,039,000 viewers on ESPN and ESPN2.
This growth was consistent across all stages of the tournament:
- Group Stage: Averaged 870,000 viewers (23% increase from Euro 2016)
- Round of 16: Averaged 1,816,000 viewers (38% increase from Euro 2016)
- Quarterfinals: Averaged 2,018,000 viewers (16% increase from Euro 2016)
- Semifinals: Averaged 2,561,000 viewers (37% increase from Euro 2016)
Top Euro Matches on ABC/ESPN Since 2008
The Euro 2020 final now sits at the top of the list of most-watched EURO matches on ABC/ESPN since they began broadcasting the tournament in 2008. Several matches from the 2020 tournament feature in the top 10, demonstrating the heightened interest this edition garnered.
| 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 |
In conclusion, the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, and particularly the final match, marked a significant milestone for European soccer viewership in the United States. The record-breaking numbers demonstrate a growing appetite for international football and set a high bar for future tournaments.
