The Super Bowl captivated a massive audience with 126 million viewers across the United States, according to Fox Sports. This figure includes both television and streaming platforms, marking the second consecutive year the event has attracted a record audience. Despite the impressive numbers, the NFL playoffs saw a 9% decline in viewership, averaging 35.2 million over the first three weekends compared to last year's 38.5 million.
This year, Nielsen expanded its measurements to encompass out-of-home viewers in all states except Hawaii and Alaska, providing a broader understanding of the game's reach. The broadcast aired on Fox, Fox Deportes, and Telemundo, while streaming was available on Tubi and the NFL's digital platforms. Early data indicates that 14.5 million tuned in via streaming, with Tubi accounting for 13.6 million viewers who accessed the game for free.
The audience for the Super Bowl peaked at 135.7 million during the second quarter as Philadelphia established a commanding 24-0 lead by halftime. This marked the third consecutive year that Super Bowl viewership exceeded 100 million, despite a slight 2% decline from 2023. The NFL's regular season averaged a viewership of 17.5 million.
Historically, the Super Bowl between Tampa Bay and Kansas City in 2021 averaged only 95.2 million TV-only viewers, the lowest since 2007. Last year's Chiefs' victory over San Francisco drew an average of 123.7 million viewers on CBS, Nickelodeon, Univision, and through streaming platforms.
The presence of high-profile figures such as President Donald Trump and pop superstar Taylor Swift added to the event's allure. Swift's rumored relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has kept her fanbase engaged with the NFL.
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