The Most Watched Sports Teams in America: Unveiling US Viewership Patterns
As the NFL season kicks off, nearly 122 million viewers across the United States prepare for a weekend dominated by football. For most sports enthusiasts, Sunday’s games are not just a pastime but a nationwide phenomenon—only a select 77,000 will experience the action live at stadiums in 13 major cities, while the rest turn to their screens to cheer on their favorite teams.
Interestingly, while 185 million Americans identify as NFL fans, only a portion regularly watch the full games. This trend extends to other sports, such as the NBA, where the annual March Madness tournament attracted 10.7 million viewers to the live event, but NBA-related highlights and reels amassed a staggering 18 billion views on social media. Clearly, the definition of fandom has evolved, with many now choosing alternative ways to engage with their favorite sports.
Key Insights into US Sports Viewership
- Only 30% of sports fans typically watch an entire game from beginning to end.
- The Las Vegas Raiders stand out with 57% of their fan base watching full games.
- Average watch times diverge: NFL fans devote about 43.2 minutes per game, while NBA fans spend approximately 31.7 minutes watching.
- The LA Chargers have the lowest percentage of fans seeing full games, with only 12% doing so; most of their fans catch less than half the action.
These figures underscore a key reality: many who claim to be avid fans are not necessarily watching every moment. We analyzed how different NFL and NBA teams rank in terms of devoted viewership, and what’s driving these patterns in today’s sports landscape.
Comparing Game Commitment: NFL vs NBA Fans
When it comes to dedicating time to games, NFL supporters top the charts. Though NFL games are designed to last 60 minutes and NBA games formally run for 48, the actual broadcasts for each can stretch to three and two hours, respectively, due to breaks and halftime.
On average, an NFL enthusiast watches 43.2 minutes of the game’s live action, adding up to more than 12 hours over a standard season. Meanwhile, NBA followers aren’t far behind. They take in roughly 31.7 minutes each game, culminating in over 43 hours across an 82-game season, thanks to the higher number of games played per team during the year.
Teams With the Most Dedicated Audiences
Not all fan bases are equally engaged. While some spectators are content to skim highlights, others never miss a second of gameplay. Among all teams, the Las Vegas Raiders’ supporters are the most attentive—57% of them stay tuned for every moment of the game. The Tennessee Titans are close behind, with 55% of their fans watching full matches. On the basketball side, 45% of Memphis Grizzlies fans report catching every minute of play.
Notably, the Los Angeles Chargers have struggled to keep their viewers’ attention, with only 12% watching full games. Atlanta Falcons fans also show low engagement, averaging just 18 out of 60 total game minutes before tuning out. These disparities suggest that factors like team performance and fan loyalty play pivotal roles in how much of a game viewers watch.
How Fans Stay Updated: Live, Digital, and Word of Mouth
The ways fans keep up with their teams’ scores and stories have changed dramatically. Watching a game live—whether on TV or at the stadium—remains the most popular method, cited by nearly 47% of fans. Yet, digital platforms are gaining ground:
- About 20% now rely on social media to catch final results and highlights.
- 16% turn to online sports news outlets and websites.
- 12% prefer using sports mobile apps for instant updates.
- Word of mouth via friends and colleagues is the preferred option for just 5%.
The Rise of Highlights: Skipping Games, Staying Informed
For many sports fans, extended game broadcasts are no longer a necessity. Watching condensed highlight reels and game recaps has become a time-saving alternative. Geographic differences are notable as well—South Dakota, Washington D.C., and New Hampshire saw up to 79% of fans favoring highlight reels over full broadcast games, possibly due to fewer local professional teams or a different local sports culture.
When asked about skipping full games, 71% cited lack of time as the key reason. Other explanations included:
- 15% had only moderate interest, preferring not to invest the entire game duration.
- 13% avoided watching due to streaming fees or paywalls.
- A small share admitted to quitting when their team’s performance lagged, choosing not to witness a likely loss.
Younger Fans are Less Likely to Watch Full Games
The challenge of keeping today’s viewers engaged is particularly acute among the younger generations. With average attention spans shrinking—down to roughly 8 seconds—it’s not surprising that older fans are more likely to sit through a whole game. Boomers are nearly twice as likely as Gen Z to watch games from start to finish; while 38% of Boomers do so, just 20% of Gen Z maintain focus for the entire broadcast, representing a 57.6% drop in game-long engagement between the oldest and youngest adult groups.
How This Data Was Gathered
This analysis is based on a survey of over 3,000 Americans conducted in September 2023, examining sports and game viewership behaviors. Participants ranged from 18 to 70 years old, all residing in the United States, with a demographic makeup of 70% male, 29% female, and less than 1% transgender or non-binary.
Sharing and Attribution
You are welcome to utilize the statistics or visuals from this article for non-commercial use, provided you include a link back to this page for proper credit to the creators.
For media inquiries, please reach out to Riley Clark at riley.clark[at]casino.org
