Manchester City - Arsenal becomes most-watched Premier League mach in US history: how many viewers?

The top-of-the-table Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Arsenal on matchday 30 of the 2023/24 season proved to be a complete anti-climax, with Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta cancelling each other out and handing Liverpool an advantage in the title race. However, the game broke a viewership record in the United States and is now the most watched match stateside in Premier League history.

How many people watched Manchester City against Arsenal in the United States?

According to the league itself, the goalless draw between The Citizens and The Gunners, which was broadcast on NBC, NBC Sports Digital and Peacock and NBC Sports drew 2.12 million viewers.

Those who tuned in, however, were left somewhat disappointed, with the two teams mustering on three shots on target between them as they sought to avoid what could have been a critical defeat in the gripping Premier League title race.

What are the most-watched Premier League fixtures in the US?

NBC Sports have also revealed that five of the six most watched Premier League fixtures in the United States have come this season.

The City - Arsenal game knocked Liverpool’s draw at home to Arsenal in December (1.96 million) off top spot, while the Anfield side’s game against Manchester United (1.77 million), which also ended in a tie before Christmas, is in fourth place.

Manchester City’s win away to Newcastle in January (1.68 million) and their home draw against Chelsea in February (1.51 million) are fifth and sixth on the list. In third spot sits Arsenal’s dramatic 3-2 win over United in January 2023, the only match not from the current season.

How does the most-watched Premier League game compare to the Super Bowl, Champions League, World Cup, El Clásico?

The numbers are on the rise, but just how impressive are they?

It would be futile to compare the Premier League’s audience to showpiece events such as the Super Bowl (averaging 123.4 million viewers in 2024) and the World Cup final (25.8 million in the US in 2022, according to FIFA), although there are some comparable games which can add a little context.

Surprisingly, the 2023 Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter drew similar numbers (CBS averaged about 2.1 million viewers and peaked at 2.6 million), while 1.1 million people watched the most recent Clásico between Real Madrid and Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on ABC.