Premier League Opening Weekend Breaks US Viewership Records
The 2025-26 Premier League opening weekend achieved its highest-ever US television audience, averaging 850,000 viewers across NBC platforms according to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics data. The figures represent a 4 percent increase from last season\'s opening weekend viewership of 820,000.
Sunday\'s marquee clash between Manchester United and Arsenal on NBC attracted two million viewers, establishing new benchmarks for opening weekend coverage. The match became the most-watched Premier League opening weekend game in US broadcasting history. Arsenal defeated United 1-0 in what was a competitive match with the Red Devils having multiple exciting opportunities to equalize.
Manchester United-Arsenal Delivers Massive Audience
The Old Trafford encounter also ranks as the second most-watched Premier League match ever broadcast in America. Only Manchester City\'s March 2024 victory over Arsenal surpassed Sunday\'s numbers, drawing 2.1 million English-language viewers.
When including Telemundo\'s Spanish-language coverage, the United-Arsenal audience reached 2.3 million total viewers. This combined figure trails only the 2.6 million bilingual audience that watched City defeat Arsenal in March 2024.
The opening weekend spanned August 15-17 and featured six live matches across NBC\'s television and streaming platforms. Coverage extended through NBC Sports\' digital properties alongside USA Network and Peacock streaming service.
NBC\'s Premier League Investment Continues Paying Dividends
NBCUniversal secured Premier League rights through 2030 with a six-year extension worth approximately $2.7 billion. The deal has consistently delivered strong returns through growing broadcast audiences and increased Peacock subscriptions.
The network\'s multi-platform approach has proven successful in capturing diverse viewing habits. Digital streaming continues complementing traditional television broadcasts while driving subscriber growth across NBC\'s entertainment ecosystem.