How Many Viewers Does the Super Bowl Get? (2024 Data)

By Sarah Miller · January 10, 2026

The Super Bowl consistently draws over 100 million viewers annually, with Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 setting a record at 123.7 million viewers across all platforms, making it the most-watched television event in U.S. history.

Why the Super Bowl Dominates TV Ratings

The Super Bowl is more than just a championship game—it's a cultural phenomenon. Each year, the NFL's title match captivates audiences far beyond typical sports fans, drawing in casual viewers, families, and advertisers alike. The combination of high-stakes football, star-studded halftime shows, and iconic commercials contributes to its massive viewership.

Key Factors Driving Super Bowl Viewership

Highly competitive matchups between popular teams
Premium advertising slots attracting major brands
Entertainment value from halftime performances
National holiday-like viewing tradition
Multi-platform streaming growth

Historical Super Bowl Viewership Trends

Over the past decade, Super Bowl viewership has steadily increased, fueled by expanded media distribution and growing fan engagement. While traditional broadcast networks like CBS, NBC, and Fox remain central, digital streaming platforms have significantly contributed to rising totals.

Year	Super Bowl	Viewers (Millions)	Network(s)	Halftime Performer
2024	LVIII	123.7	CBS, Nickelodeon, Paramount+, Pluto TV	Usher
2023	LVII	115.1	FOX, FOX Deportes, NFL+	Rihanna
2022	LVI	99.2	NBC, Peacock, Telemundo	Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar
2021	LV	96.4	CBS, Paramount+	The Weeknd
2020	LIV	102.0	FOX	Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez
2019	LIII	98.5	NBC	Maroon 5, Travis Scott, Big Boi
2018	LII	103.4	CBS	Justin Timberlake

Table data source:1, 2, 3

The data shows a clear upward trajectory in viewership, particularly after 2022, when multi-network and digital streaming options were fully integrated. Super Bowl LVIII’s 123.7 million viewers mark a 7.4% increase from the previous year, reflecting broader accessibility and heightened interest. Streaming alone accounted for nearly 8.5 million viewers, a record high.

How Viewership Is Measured

Viewership numbers are calculated by Nielsen and internal network analytics, combining traditional TV ratings with digital platform metrics. The total includes:

Live linear broadcast audience
Streaming services (e.g., NFL+, Paramount+, Peacock)
Out-of-home viewing (bars, restaurants, parties)
Spanish-language broadcasts (e.g., FOX Deportes)

Since 2020, the inclusion of out-of-home viewers has added approximately 5–7 million viewers to official counts, better reflecting actual reach.

Comparison to Other Major Sporting Events

The Super Bowl surpasses most global sporting events in U.S. viewership. While the FIFA World Cup and Olympics attract larger worldwide audiences, no single event in American television history matches the Super Bowl’s consistent domestic scale.

NFL Championship vs. NBA Finals: The NBA Finals average around 12 million viewers per game, significantly lower than the Super Bowl’s 100M+.
Super Bowl vs. World Series: MLB’s World Series averages under 10 million viewers per game.
Super Bowl vs. College Football Playoff: CFP National Championship draws ~20 million, less than a quarter of Super Bowl numbers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Super Bowl Viewership

How many people watched the most recent Super Bowl?

Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 drew a record 123.7 million viewers across all platforms, including broadcast, streaming, and out-of-home venues, according to Nielsen and CBS Sports.

Has the Super Bowl always had over 100 million viewers?

No. The 100-million threshold was first crossed in 2010 (Super Bowl XLIV). Since 2013 (Super Bowl XLVII), viewership has consistently exceeded 100 million, with fluctuations based on matchup appeal and broadcast strategy.

What is the average Super Bowl viewership over the last 10 years?

Average viewership from 2014 to 2024 was approximately 100.6 million. When excluding outlier years like 2022 (lower due to streaming transition), the average rises to about 103 million.

Which Super Bowl had the highest viewership ever?

Super Bowl LVIII (2024) holds the record with 123.7 million viewers. It surpassed Super Bowl LI (2017), which previously held the record at 114.4 million.

Does streaming affect Super Bowl viewership numbers?

Yes. Streaming now accounts for over 6% of total viewership. In 2024, platforms like Paramount+ and NFL+ delivered nearly 8.5 million unique streams, contributing to record-breaking totals and younger demographic engagement.