The 10 Most Watched Football Matches Worldwide

Football has a global appeal, standing as the most popular sport worldwide with its fan base continually expanding. It is the number one sport in many countries, cementing its place in diverse cultures.

Across the globe, intense rivalries between football clubs and nations captivate fans, driving them to tune into live broadcasts to witness the action unfold on the pitch. These rivalries, coupled with the sport's inherent drama, keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

In recent years, football's audience has grown even larger thanks to the proliferation of modern digital platforms. These platforms make it easier for fans to access live matches, highlights, and other related content, broadening the sport's reach.

Despite the sport's widespread viewership, it remains challenging to determine the exact number of viewers for matches, mainly due to the lack of precise data from many countries, particularly in the developing world.

In this article, Betimate presents the top 10 most-watched football matches in the world, showcasing the games that draw the largest global audiences.

1. FIFA World Cup Final

Unsurprisingly, the most-watched football match on the planet is the FIFA World Cup final. Held every four years, the World Cup features teams from 32 countries, bringing together football fans from around the globe.

The World Cup transcends borders and unites people like no other sporting event. Its premier tournament is unparalleled in its ability to bring people together in shared excitement and passion.

According to FIFA, over 3.5 billion viewers watched the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The final match drew the most viewers, with 516.6 million people tuning in to witness France beat Croatia 4-2 to become world champions. Given the increasing use of digital channels, the actual number of viewers was likely even higher.

The last five editions of the FIFA World Cup have drawn a total of more than four billion viewers. The 2022 World Cup final between France and Argentina set a record with a staggering 1.5 billion viewers, making it the most-watched sports event in history.

2. UEFA Champions League Final

The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious club football competition in the world, featuring Europe’s elite football clubs. Viewers worldwide get the chance to see top players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Robert Lewandowski showcase their skills.

While the competition has always held prestige, its popularity has surged immensely over the past two decades. The Champions League final stands as the most-watched club football match globally, representing the pinnacle of club football in Europe.

In 2018, the UEFA Champions League final in Kyiv set a record by attracting 380 million viewers from over 200 countries. Looking ahead, the 2024 UEFA Champions League final at the iconic Wembley Stadium is expected to draw over 450 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched football games in the world.

3. Euros Final

The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious club football competition in the world, featuring Europe’s elite football clubs. Viewers worldwide get the chance to see top players such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Karim Benzema, and Robert Lewandowski showcase their skills.

While the competition has always held prestige, its popularity has surged immensely over the past two decades. The Champions League final stands as the most-watched club football match globally, representing the pinnacle of club football in Europe.

In 2018, the UEFA Champions League final in Kyiv set a record by attracting 380 million viewers from over 200 countries. Looking ahead, the 2024 UEFA Champions League final at the iconic Wembley Stadium is expected to draw over 450 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched football games in the world.

4. Manchester Derby

The Manchester Derby, contested between English city rivals Manchester City and Manchester United, has recently emerged as the most watched football game in the world, even surpassing the Spanish El Clásico.

The importance of the Manchester Derby has risen significantly over the last decade, largely due to Manchester City's emergence as a powerhouse both domestically and on the European stage. Manchester United's global fanbase and storied history also contribute to the fixture's immense viewership.

This highly anticipated match is broadcast to almost a billion people across 189 countries, making it a global spectacle and solidifying its status as one of the most significant events in football.

5. El Clásico

Arguably the most exciting league match in world football, El Clásico is contested between Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona. This historic rivalry dates back more than a century, making it one of the oldest and most storied in world football.

Many legendary players have donned the shirts of these two clubs, including Diego Maradona, Ronaldo de Lima, Johan Cruyff, Alfredo Di Stefano, Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Zinedine Zidane, Raul, and more recently, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo — the two best players of the current generation.

El Clásico is not just a match; it often plays a crucial role in deciding the La Liga title race. The sheer importance and high stakes of this fixture draw millions of viewers worldwide. Typically, about 400 to 500 million people tune in to watch El Clásico, underscoring its global appeal.

However, in recent years, its viewership has seen a decline. This drop is largely attributed to the departures of Ronaldo and Messi, who were key attractions, as well as a perceived decline in the overall appeal of the match. Despite this, El Clásico remains one of the most watched and anticipated fixtures in football.

6. Northwest Derby

The Northwest Derby is a high-profile inter-city rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester United. It is considered the biggest fixture in English football and one of the most intense and fierce rivalries in world football.

Players, fans, and the media regard the match between these two clubs as their biggest rivalry, even surpassing local derbies with Everton for Liverpool and Manchester City for Manchester United. The historical success and prominence of both clubs amplify the significance of this fixture.

Liverpool and Manchester United are the two most successful English clubs, and their clashes in the Northwest Derby are always highly anticipated. This fierce competition captures the attention of football enthusiasts worldwide.

The Northwest Derby can attract as many as 700 million viewers around the globe, highlighting its immense global appeal and the passion it ignites among fans.

7. Milan Derby

Regarded as the biggest football match in Italy, the Milan Derby, also known as the Derby della Madonnina, is contested between city rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan.

Both clubs share the iconic San Siro stadium as their home ground, but this does nothing to tone down the fierceness and intensity of the derby. The rivalry is steeped in history and passion, making it one of the most captivating fixtures in world football.

In 2017, the Milan Derby was watched by a record number of over 860 million viewers worldwide. This unprecedented viewership was largely due to Inter's Chinese owners, who persuaded league authorities to schedule the match at a time convenient for viewers in China, the most populated country in the world.

The Milan Derby continues to draw massive audiences globally, showcasing the enduring allure and significance of this historic rivalry.

8. Der Klassiker

The biggest football match in the Bundesliga and indeed in Germany, Der Klassiker, is a highly anticipated clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund — two of the most successful and storied clubs in German football history.

This fixture garners attention from fans around the globe due to its consistently thrilling and competitive nature, often playing a pivotal role in determining the league title.

Der Klassiker holds the distinction of being the most watched fixture in German football, regularly attracting record viewership numbers. Over the past decade, the significance of this match has reached new heights, with Borussia Dortmund emerging as formidable challengers to Bayern Munich's dominance, winning the Bundesliga title twice during this period.

The presence of some of the world's best players further amplifies the excitement surrounding Der Klassiker, as fans eagerly anticipate captivating performances from the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland, and many others.

As the Bundesliga continues to expand its global reach through increased broadcasting in numerous countries, Der Klassiker has become a must-watch event for football enthusiasts worldwide. Millions of viewers across more than 200 nations tune in to witness the drama and intensity of this iconic showdown.

9. Derby d’Italia

The Derby d’Italia, featuring Italian football powerhouses Inter Milan and Juventus, is a highly anticipated clash in Serie A. Despite being a domestic fixture, this matchup often garners widespread attention and viewership on a global scale.

Renowned for its intensity and competitiveness, the Derby d’Italia consistently delivers captivating football action within the Serie A landscape.

In 2021, the match was broadcasted in over 200 countries worldwide, showcasing its broad appeal across diverse regions and demographics. An impressive viewership of approximately 650 million fans tuned in to witness the thrilling encounter unfold, underscoring the match's significance and popularity on the global football stage.

10. AFCON Final

The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) stands as a prestigious biennial football tournament, where national teams from across Africa vie for continental supremacy.

Since its inception in 1957, AFCON has served as a platform for showcasing the talent and competitive spirit of African football on a global stage.

The tournament's widespread appeal is evident in its extensive broadcast coverage, reaching audiences not only within Africa but also across the world.

In 2019, AFCON garnered record-breaking viewership figures, with over 800 million individuals tuning in to watch the event on beIN SPORTS alone. The final match attracted over 90 million viewers, highlighting the tournament's ability to captivate audiences.

The 2021 edition of AFCON, held earlier this year, continued to draw millions of fans from 157 countries, demonstrating sustained interest and engagement in the competition.

Social media platforms have also played a significant role in amplifying AFCON's reach and engagement. The tournament generated over 1 billion video views on TikTok, along with 900 million impressions across other social media channels. Additionally, AFCON content on YouTube amassed an impressive 2.8 million hours of watch time.

Despite some underestimation of its significance, AFCON remains a highly anticipated event globally, attracting viewers from diverse regions, particularly in Asia, notably among Arab audiences. This widespread viewership underscores AFCON's enduring appeal and its status as a premier football tournament in the international sporting calendar.