A peak audience of 16.3 million tuned in to watch England’s FIFA World Cup victory over DR Congo yesterday, delivering the BBC’s ‘biggest’ live audience of 2026.
There was an average of 14 million viewers, with the victory seeing 10.4 million streams across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app.
BBC Sport’s live coverage page on the website and app was viewed more than 20 million times globally. including 14 million times in the UK with 860,000 visitors aged 16-24, which will have been welcome news for the team headquartered in MediaCity.
The broadcaster said yesterday was also the BBC Sport website and app’s ‘biggest day’ since the last FIFA World Cup, attracting 10.8 million unique users.
The BBC’s UHD coverage continued to break records, attracting a new high of 1.36 million concurrent streams.
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The FIFA World Cup continues to drive digital consumption for the BBC, accounting for more than a third (34%) of all hours streamed on BBC iPlayer during the final week of the group stage.
Across social media, BBC Sport has generated 889 million video views during the tournament so far. The most-watched clip has reached 14.34 million views, with fans flocking to hear Virgil Van Dijk’s verdict on the tournament’s hydration breaks.
Alex Kay-Jelski, Director of Sport at the BBC, said: “These are extraordinary audience figures that show the BBC is the place the nation comes together for the biggest sporting moments. England’s dramatic victory captured millions across TV, iPlayer, BBC Sport digital platforms and social media, with audiences consuming the tournament in record numbers. Whether it’s premium UHD coverage, new immersive experiences or world-class analysis, we’re proud to be delivering the moments that matter to audiences wherever and however they choose to follow the tournament, as England’s World Cup journey continues”.
The World Cup isn’t just a hit for the BBC, as ITVX also reported it has achieved its strongest monthly performance to date, with 468 million streams in June for the first time in its history.
England’s next challenge comes against Mexico in the Round of 16, appearing exclusively on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 1.00am on Monday,
