FIFA World Cup delivers strong audiences across all RTÉ platforms
9.2 million streams on RTÉ Player between 11 and 28 June
Reach of 2.9 million viewers during Group stages of FIFA World Cup on RTÉ2
23 million video views across RTÉ social platforms
The FIFA World Cup games have proven hugely popular with football fans across Ireland, with RTÉ’s live coverage attracting strong audiences on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and online. As official Irish broadcaster, RTÉ is one of only a small number of public service broadcasters providing free-to-air coverage across television, radio and digital platforms, ensuring Irish audiences can follow the action whenever and wherever it suits them.
From 11–28 June, FIFA World Cup matches broadcast on RTÉ Player accumulated 9.2 million streams, already surpassing the total streaming figure recorded during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. During the same time period, FIFA World Cup matches had a total 1-minute reach of 2.9 million unique individuals on RTÉ2 and RTÉ2+1.
The standout fixture of the tournament so far was England v Croatia on 17 June, which drew an average television audience of 615,000 viewers and achieved an impressive 51% audience share on RTÉ2. The match also drew a significant audience on RTÉ Player, attracting an additional 404,000 streams, making it the most-streamed match of the tournament to date.
Other top-performing fixtures included England v Ghana, which reached an estimated 500,000 viewers and secured a 43% share on RTÉ2 with an additional 334,000 streams on RTÉ Player, while Mexico v South Africa attracted 484,000 viewers and 41% share on RTÉ2 with an additional 364,000 streams on RTÉ Player. Matches featuring major football nations including France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and England all delivered strong audiences throughout the group stages.
On RTÉ Sport Online and on RTÉ Sport social channels, there are 23 million video views across all social platforms to date. This includes over 4 million views of highlights and analysis on the RTÉ Sport YouTube page.
On RTÉ Radio 1, Marie Crowe and Jacqui Hurley continue to bring you all the action from North America on Inside Sport while Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport also carry analysis and news from the tournament.
The Young Offenders stars Dominic MacHale and Shane Casey have been staying Up All Night to bring viewers the overnight action from the big games. The vodcast goes live on the RTÉ Radio Player on RTÉ Player every morning with a host of familiar faces joining the lads from their Cork studio. The show also airs daily on RTÉ2 ahead of FIFA World Cup live coverage. Raf Diallo continues to bring listeners the latest updates and insights from pundits and commentators both at home and on the ground in North America on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.
With the knockout stages now underway, the FIFA World Cup continues to draw audiences in huge numbers as Irish football fans follow the drama and excitement of the tournament.
Heineken 0.0 is the broadcast sponsor of their FIFA World Cup 2026 on RTÉ.
ENDS
Caoilinn Putti, RTÉ Communications