A look back at the most-watched sporting events of the 2010s. Click here to jump straight to the main list, here for the list with the NFL excluded, and here for a list of the most-watched events by sport.
The NFL dominated the decade, generating the 40 largest sports audience between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2019. The most-watched game was the Patriots’ Super Bowl 49 win over the Seahawks, which averaged a U.S. television record 114.44 million viewers on NBC in 2015. Overall, the NFL generated the eight largest audiences in U.S. TV history in this decade.
The top non-NFL sporting event was the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, which avereaged 40.65 million on NBC. Outside of the NFL and Olympics, Game 7 of the 2016 World Series took top honors, with the Cubs’ historic victory averaging 40.05 million on FOX.
Top sports audiences of the 2010s
| SportsMediaWatch.com | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | SPORT | YEAR | GAME | RTG | VWRS | NET |
| 1 | NFL | 2015 | Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl 49 |
NBC | 47.5 | 114.442M |
| 2 | NFL | 2014 | Seahawks-Broncos Super Bowl 48 |
FOX | 46.7 | 112.191M |
| 3 | NFL | 2016 | Broncos-Panthers Super Bowl 50 |
CBS | 46.6 | 111.864M |
| 4 | NFL | 2012 | Giants-Patriots Super Bowl 46 |
NBC | 47.0 | 111.346M |
| 5 | NFL | 2017 | Patriots-Falcons Super Bowl 51 |
FOX | 45.3 | 111.317M |
| 6 | NFL | 2011 | Packers-Steelers Super Bowl 45 |
FOX | 46.0 | 111.010M |
| 7 | NFL | 2013 | Ravens-49ers Super Bowl 47 |
CBS | 46.4 | 108.414M |
| 8 | NFL | 2010 | Saints-Colts Super Bowl 44 |
CBS | 45.0 | 106.476M |
| 9 | NFL | 2018 | Eagles-Patriots Super Bowl 52 |
NBC | 43.1 | 103.391M |
| 10 | NFL | 2019 | Patriots-Rams Super Bowl 53 |
CBS | 41.1 | 98.190M |
| 11 | NFL | 2010 | Vikings-Saints NFC Championship |
FOX | 30.6 | 57.933M |
| 12 | NFL | 2012 | Giants-49ers NFC Championship |
FOX | 30.6 | 57.635M |
| 13 | NFL | 2014 | 49ers-Seahawks NFC Championship |
FOX | 28.5 | 55.911M |
| 14 | NFL | 2011 | Jets-Steelers AFC Championship |
CBS | 28.3 | 54.850M |
| 15 | NFL | 2019 | Patriots-Chiefs AFC Championship |
CBS | 27.5 | 53.900M |
| 16 | NFL | 2016 | Patriots-Broncos AFC Championship |
CBS | 29.3 | 53.299M |
| 17 | NFL | 2011 | Packers-Bears NFC Championship |
FOX | 28.1 | 51.884M |
| 18 | NFL | 2014 | Patriots-Broncos AFC Championship |
CBS | 28.1 | 51.300M |
| 19 | NFL | 2015 | Packers-Seahawks NFC Championship |
FOX | 27.4 | 49.839M |
| 20 | NFL | 2012 | Ravens-Patriots AFC Championship |
CBS | 27.4 | 48.676M |
| 21 | NFL | 2017 | Packers-Cowboys NFC Divisional |
FOX | 26.1 | 48.522M |
| 22 | NFL | 2017 | Steelers-Patriots AFC Championship |
CBS | 24.4 | 47.951M |
| 23 | NFL | 2014 | 49ers-Packers NFC Wild Card |
FOX | 25.8 | 47.100M |
| 24 | NFL | 2013 | Ravens-Patriots AFC Championship |
CBS | 25.5 | 47.070M |
| 25 | NFL | 2010 | Jets-Colts AFC Championship |
CBS | 26.3 | 46.917M |
| 26 | NFL | 2017 | Packers-Falcons NFC Championship |
FOX | 25.0 | 46.281M |
| 27 | NFL | 2016 | Cardinals-Panthers NFC Championship |
FOX | 24.1 | 45.739M |
| 28 | NFL | 2012 | Giants-Packers NFC Divisional |
FOX | 25.3 | 45.120M |
| 29 | NFL | 2015 | Cowboys-Packers NFC Divisional |
FOX | 24.9 | 44.384M |
| 30 | NFL | 2018 | Jaguars-Patriots AFC Championship |
CBS | 24.3 | 44.082M |
| 31 | NFL | 2019 | Rams-Saints NFC Championship |
FOX | 24.5 | 44.075M |
| 32 | NFL | 2011 | Jets-Patriots AFC Divisional |
CBS | 24.2 | 43.463M |
| 33 | NFL | 2016 | Steelers-Broncos AFC Divisional |
CBS | 23.6 | 42.950M |
| 34 | NFL | 2012 | Steelers-Broncos AFC Wild Card |
CBS | 24.0 | 42.371M |
| 35 | NFL | 2015 | Lions-Cowboys NFC Wild Card |
FOX | 23.6 | 42.320M |
| 36 | NFL | 2018 | Vikings-Eagles NFC Championship |
FOX | 21.7 | 42.298M |
| 37 | NFL | 2015 | Colts-Patriots AFC Championship |
CBS | 22.5 | 42.144M |
| 38 | NFL | 2013 | 49ers-Falcons NFC Championship |
FOX | 24.2 | 42.000M |
| 39 | NFL | 2015 | Colts-Broncos AFC Divisional |
CBS | 23.3 | 41.815M |
| 40 | NFL | 2014 | Chargers-Broncos AFC Divisional |
CBS | 23.1 | 41.211M |
| 41 | OLY | 2012 | Opening Ceremony London 2012 |
NBC | 21.0 | 40.651M |
| 42 | MLB | 2016 | Cubs-Indians World Series Game 7 |
FOX | 21.8 | 40.050M |
| 43 | NFL | 2017 | Giants-Packers NFC Wild Card |
FOX | 21.3 | 39.345M |
| 44 | NFL | 2011 | Packers-Eagles NFC Wild Card |
FOX | 22.1 | 39.274M |
| 45 | NFL | 2016 | Green Bay-Washington NFC Wild Card |
FOX | 21.8 | 38.851M |
| 46 | OLY | 2012 | Primetime coverage London 2012 |
NBC | 21.8 | 38.719M |
| 47 | NFL | 2019 | Eagles-Saints NFC Divisional |
FOX | 20.8 | 38.187M |
| 48 | NFL | 2013 | Seattle-Washington NFC Wild Card |
FOX | 21.5 | 38.100M |
| 49 | NFL | 2010 | Cowboys-Vikings NFC Divisional |
FOX | 22.0 | 37.669M |
| 50 | NFL | 2013 | Texans-Patriots AFC Divisional |
CBS | 21.7 | 37.660M |
Top sports audiences of the 2010s, excluding NFL and Olympics
| SportsMediaWatch.com | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | SPORT | YEAR | GAME | RTG | VWRS | NET |
| 1 | MLB | 2016 | Cubs-Indians World Series Game 7 |
FOX | 21.8 | 40.050M |
| 2 | CFB | 2015 | Ohio State-Oregon National Championship |
ESPN Megacast |
18.6 | 34.148M |
| 3 | NBA | 2016 | Cavaliers-Warriors NBA Finals Game 7 |
ABC | 15.8 | 31.018M |
| 4 | CFB | 2010 | Alabama-Texas National Championship |
ABC | 17.2 | 30.776M |
| 5 | CFB | 2018 | Alabama-Georgia National Championship |
ESPN Megacast |
15.6 | 28.443M |
| 6 | MLB | 2017 | Astros-Dodgers World Series Game 7 |
FOX | 15.8 | 28.287M |
| 7 | CFB | 2015 | Ohio State-Alabama Sugar Bowl |
ESPN | 15.2 | 28.271M |
| 8 | CBB | 2015 | Duke-Wisconsin National Championship |
CBS | 16.0 | 28.263M |
| 9 | NBA | 2010 | Celtics-Lakers NBA Finals Game 7 |
ABC | 15.6 | 28.203M |
| 10 | CFB | 2015 | Oregon-FSU Rose Bowl |
ESPN | 14.8 | 28.164M |
| 11 | CFB | 2011 | Auburn-Oregon BCSNC |
ESPN | 15.3 | 27.316M |
| 12 | CFB | 2018 | Georgia-Oklahoma Rose Bowl |
ESPN, ESPN2 |
13.7 | 26.913M |
| 13 | FIFA | 2015 | U.S.-Japan W. World Cup Final |
FOX, TEL |
— | 26.700M |
| 14 | FIFA | 2014 | Germany-Argentina World Cup Final |
ABC, UNI |
— | 26.500M |
| 15 | CFB | 2013 | Alabama-Notre Dame National Championship |
ESPN | 15.1 | 26.380M |
| 16 | NBA | 2013 | Spurs-Heat NBA Finals Game 7 |
ABC | 15.3 | 26.319M |
| 17 | CFB | 2014 | FSU-Auburn National Championship |
ESPN Megacast |
14.8 | 26.205M |
| 18 | CFB | 2016 | Alabama-Clemson National Championship |
ESPN Megacast |
15.0 | 26.182M |
| 19 | MLB | 2011 | Rangers-Cardinals World Series Game 7 |
FOX | 14.7 | 25.403M |
| 20 | CFB | 2019 | Clemson-Alabama National Championship |
ESPN Megacast |
13.8 | 25.280M |
| 21 | CFB | 2017 | Clemson-Alabama National Championship |
ESPN Megacast |
14.2 | 25.266M |
| 22 | FIFA | 2014 | U.S.-Portugal WC group stage |
ESPN, UNI |
— | 24.760M |
| 23 | NBA | 2017 | Cavaliers-Warriors NBA Finals Game 5 |
ABC | 13.5 | 24.528M |
| 24 | FIFA | 2010 | Spain-Netherlands World Cup Final |
ABC, UNI |
— | 24.300M |
| 25 | CFB | 2012 | Alabama-LSU National Championship |
ESPN | 14.0 | 24.214M |
| 26 | CFB | 2010 | Ohio State-Oregon Rose Bowl |
ABC | 13.2 | 24.025M |
| 27 | CBB | 2010 | Duke-Butler National Championship |
CBS | 14.2 | 23.944M |
| 28 | NBA | 2011 | Mavericks-Heat NBA Finals Game 6 |
ABC | 13.3 | 23.880M |
| 29 | MLB | 2016 | Indians-Cubs World Series Game 5 |
FOX | 13.1 | 23.641M |
| 30 | MLB | 2014 | Giants-Royals World Series Game 7 |
FOX | 13.7 | 23.517M |
| 31 | CBB | 2013 | Louisville-Michigan National Championship |
CBS | 14.0 | 23.426M |
| 32 | MLB | 2016 | Cubs-Indians World Series Game 6 |
FOX | 13.2 | 23.399M |
| 33 | NBA | 2015 | Warriors-Cavaliers NBA Finals Game 6 |
ABC | 13.4 | 23.254M |
| 34 | MLB | 2019 | Nationals-Astros World Series Game 7 |
FOX | 13.1 | 23.217M |
| 35 | CBB | 2017 | North Carolina-Gonzaga National Championship |
CBS | 13.2 | 22.998M |
| 36 | CBB | 2015 | Wisconsin-Kentucky National Semifinal |
TBS, TNT, TruTV |
12.4 | 22.626M |
| 37 | MLB | 2017 | Astros-Dodgers World Series Game 6 |
FOX | 12.6 | 22.329M |
| 38 | FIFA | 2014 | Belgium-U.S. WC Rd. of 16 |
ESPN, UNI |
— | 21.570M |
| 39 | CFB | 2018 | Alabama-Clemson Sugar Bowl |
ESPN, ESPN2 |
11.4 | 21.473M |
| 40 | CBB | 2014 | UConn-Kentucky National Championship |
CBS | 12.4 | 21.196M |
| 41 | CFB | 2019 | Clemson-Ohio State Fiesta Bowl |
ESPN Megacast |
11.1 | 21.151M |
| 42 | MLB | 2011 | Rangers-Cardinals World Series Game 6 |
FOX | 12.7 | 21.064M |
| 43 | CBB | 2012 | Kentucky-Kansas National Championship |
CBS | 12.3 | 20.869M |
| 44 | NBA | 2015 | Cavaliers-Warriors NBA Finals Game 5 |
ABC | 11.8 | 20.860M |
| 45 | NBA | 2016 | Warriors-Cavaliers NBA Finals Game 6 |
ABC | 11.8 | 20.702M |
| 46 | NBA | 2013 | Spurs-Heat NBA Finals Game 6 |
ABC | 12.3 | 20.636M |
| 47 | CFB | 2011 | TCU-Wisconsin Rose Bowl |
ESPN | 11.3 | 20.558M |
| 48 | NBA | 2016 | Cavaliers-Warriors NBA Finals Game 5 |
ABC | 11.8 | 20.528M |
| 49 | Horse | 2014 | Belmont Stakes Race portion |
NBC | 11.9 | 20.400M |
| 50 | NBA | 2017 | Warriors-Cavaliers NBA Finals Game 3 |
ABC | 11.3 | 20.099M |
Top sports audiences of the 2010s by sport
| SportsMediaWatch.com | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPORT | YEAR | GAME | RTG | VWRS | NET |
| NFL | 2015 | Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl 49 |
47.5 | 114.442M | NBC |
| OLY | 2012 | Opening Ceremony | 21.0 | 40.651M | NBC |
| MLB | 2016 | Cubs-Indians World Series Game 7 |
21.8 | 40.050M | FOX |
| CFB | 2015 | Ohio State-Oregon National Championship |
18.6 | 34.148M | ESPN Megacast |
| NBA | 2016 | Cavaliers-Warriors NBA Finals Game 7 |
15.8 | 31.018M | ABC |
| CBB | 2015 | Duke-Wisconsin National Championship |
16.0 | 28.263M | CBS |
| Soccer | 2015 | United States-Japan W. World Cup Final |
— | 26.700M | FOX, TEL |
| Horse | 2014 | Belmont Stakes | 11.9 | 20.400M | NBC |
| PGA | 2010 | The Masters Final Round |
10.7 | 16.676M | CBS |
| NASCAR | 2013 | Daytona 500 | 9.9 | 16.651M | FOX |
| NHL | 2019 | Blues-Bruins Stanley Cup Final Game 7 |
4.9 | 8.723M | NBC |
| IndyCar | 2012 | Indianapolis 500 | 4.3 | 6.800M | ABC |
| Tennis | 2013 | Serena W.-Azarenka US Open W. Final |
4.0 | 6.166M | CBS |
| MMA | 2011 | UFC on FOX 1 | 3.1 | 5.675M | FOX |
| Boxing | 2016 | Spence Jr.-Bundu Premier Boxing Champions |
3.1 | 4.800M | NBC |
| WCBB | 2014 | UConn-Notre Dame National Championship |
2.8 | 4.271M | ESPN |
| LPGA | 2014 | U.S. Women’s Open Final Round |
1.4 | 2.035M | NBC |
| WNBA | 2017 | Sparks-Lynx WNBA Finals Game 5 |
0.6 | 902K | ESPN |
UPDATE 1/1: Added the 2015 Wisconsin-Kentucky Final Four game to the list of most-watched games outside of the NFL and Olympics.
