The Women’s World Cup final was an immense draw in the metered markets.
The United States/Japan FIFA Women’s World Cup final drew a 15.2 overnight rating on FOX Sunday night, up 77% from the same match-up on ESPN in 2011 (8.6) and up 14% from United States/China on ABC in 1999 (13.3), the two previous times the U.S. made the final.
The 15.2 is easily the highest ever for a soccer match on a single U.S. network, topping the previous high set by the 1999 final. The highest overnight for the men’s World Cup — again on a single network — is a 12.8 for the 1994 Brazil/Italy final on ABC.
Overnights peaked at an 18.3 from 8:45-9 PM ET, the final quarter-hour of play. Keep in mind Sunday’s result was never truly in doubt, as the United States opened up a four goal lead in the first fifteen minutes of the match.
Compared to other sporting events, the 15.2 is the third-highest for any sporting event since the Super Bowl — trailing only Game 6 of the Warriors/Cavaliers NBA Finals (15.9) and the Duke/Wisconsin NCAA Tournament championship game (17.1). It drew the same overnight as Game 7 of last year’s World Series.
Kansas City was the top market for Sunday’s match with a 20.6 rating, with St. Louis a close second (20.5). San Diego (19.5/41), Denver (19.4/36) and Austin, TX (19.1/37) rounded out the top five.
(Sun. numbers from Fox Sports)
