The Euro 2024 football tournament has been a thrilling spectacle, captivating audiences across Europe. The semi-final victories of England and France over Switzerland and Portugal respectively have drawn record-breaking viewership numbers in both countries.
England’s penalty shootout victory over Switzerland in the Euro 2024 quarter-final was a major draw for UK viewers. A staggering peak audience of almost 17 million tuned in to witness this nail-biting encounter.
The public-service broadcaster reported an average viewership of 13.6 million for the men's national soccer match that went into extra-time and penalties after a deadlock at 1-1. This resulted in an impressive audience share of 77%. Viewership peaked at a whopping 16.8 million during the tense penalty shootout phase, while online streaming also saw significant engagement with nearly 8.9 million streams across platforms like BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website, and app.
ITV recorded highest television audience
Commercial broadcaster ITV also enjoyed high ratings with its coverage of England’s matches during Euro 2024. The last-16 clash against Slovakia drew a peak audience of about 18.4 million with an average viewership figure standing at around 11.3 million.
This achievement marked ITV as having secured the biggest television audience on any UK channel for over one-and-a-half years.
Following their dramatic victory against Switzerland, England vs Netherlands in Wednesday's semi-final showdown which will be aired on ITV (sharing tournament rights with BBC). As per tradition from previous tournaments, both BBC and ITV will simultaneously broadcast Sunday’s final (July 14).
French National Team triumph also draw huge viewers
Meanwhile, across the English Channel, France's penalty shootout victory over Portugal was watched by nearly 12.7 million viewers on commercial broadcaster M6. This match delivered a remarkable audience share of 58% in the country and marked the best TV audience of the year.
France will now face Spain in their semi-final after Spain defeated hosts Germany with a late extra-time winner. The match will be broadcasted by public-service broadcaster TF1, while M6 will air the final from Berlin.
The Euro 2024 tournament has proven to be an exciting event for football fans across Europe, with record-breaking audiences tuning in to watch their national teams compete. As we approach the semi-finals and finals, these numbers are only expected to rise further as anticipation builds around who will ultimately lift the coveted trophy.
