For the second year in a row, the Super Bowl has smashed the all-time viewership record. Fox Sports reported an average audience of 126 million across its platforms for Philadelphia’s 40-22 win over Kansas City.
That’s up from last year’s 123.7 million on CBS and streaming platforms, proving the game’s appeal is stronger than ever-even in an era of cord-cutting. The audience peaked at a staggering 135.7 million in the second quarter, a number that would make any advertiser drool.
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Streaming’s on fire, but TV still dominates
Fox’s numbers included streaming figures from Tubi and the NFL’s digital platforms, with 14.5 million viewers watching online-a sharp increase from previous years. Tubi alone accounted for 13.6 million, showing that free, digital access is drawing in massive audiences.
That said, traditional TV still carries the day. While streaming is climbing, the majority of fans still flipped to Fox on cable or satellite to watch the action unfold in real-time.
Did the blowout even matter?
Unlike last year’s dramatic overtime thriller, this Super Bowl was essentially over by halftime. The Eagles jumped out to a 24-0 lead, making the second half more about formality than suspense.
But that didn’t stop people from watching. The combination of hyped commercials, the halftime show, and A-list appearances likely kept viewers glued to their screens-even if the game itself wasn’t the most thrilling contest.
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Speaking of star power, Donald Trump became the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl, adding a historic political twist to the event. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce continued to be a major subplot. Swift’s presence has already brought a massive boost to NFL viewership this season, and the Super Bowl was no different.
And then there was Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show, which drew 131.2 million viewers-a testament to how much the Super Bowl is as much about the spectacle as it is the sport.
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So, where does the NFL go from here?
With three straight years of 100+ million viewers, the Super Bowl remains an untouchable ratings juggernaut. Advertisers paid up to $8 million per 30-second spot, and based on the numbers, they probably got their money’s worth.
Next year’s Super Bowl will shift to NBC/Peacock, followed by ABC/ESPN+ in 2027 and CBS in 2028. If trends hold, expect even bigger numbers-especially if the game is actually close.
