Super Bowl 2026 viewership fell short of reaching last year’s record-setting numbers, but still averaged an impressive 124.93 million viewers as the Seahawks crushed the Patriots at Levi’s Stadium.
The viewership numbers, which include people watching on NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, NBC Sports Digital, and NFL+ and are based on Nielsen’s final same-day ratings, made the game the second-most-watched show in U.S. history, according to NBC Sports.
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The 2025 Super Bowl averaged 127.71 million viewers across Fox, Tubi, Telemundo and the NFL’s digital properties, holding the all-time U.S. audience record.
The slight dip in 2026 marked a 2.2 percent decline in average viewership for the Big Game. But the telecast still managed to set an all-time peak viewership record with 137.8 million viewers between 7:45 and 8 p.m. ET during the second quarter.
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (2-R) fumbles the ball against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (C) and defensive tackle Jarran Reed (R) during the second half of Super Bowl 2026. CHRIS TORRES/EPA/Shutterstock
Bad Bunny’s halftime show brought in an audience of 128.2 million as the Grammy-winning artist performed a bevy of hits and featured surprise appearances by Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin.
The global viewership numbers for the halftime show will be released early next week, according to NBC.
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“The Super Bowl and the NFL once again delivered a blockbuster audience across the NBC broadcast network, Peacock, and Telemundo, and provided an unprecedented lead-in to our Primetime in Milan coverage,” NBC Sports president Rick Cordella said in a statement. “The Super Bowl and the Olympics are the two most powerful events in the world, and we salute our talented production, tech, and announce teams who delivered best-in-class presentations for our viewers, stations, and partners.”
Bad Bunny performs onstage during the Apple Music Super Bowl 2026 Halftime Show at Levi’s Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. Getty Images
The Seahawks’ defense stifled the Patriots, with Seattle leading 9-0 off three field goals in the first half. It took until the fourth quarter for the teams to finally break into the end zone.
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