Sunday’s World Cup final, televised domestically by ABC and Univisión, was the most watched soccer match in American television history. A total of 24.3 million viewers (15.5 million on ABC and 8.8 million on Univisión) tuned in to watch the Spanish defeat the Dutch to capture their first ever World Cup.

In fact, the Netherlands vs. Spain match garnered more viewers than did the deciding games of the 2009 World Series between the Yankees and Phillies (22.3 million). The numbers are also comparable to the 28.2 million pulled by Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals between the LA Lakers and Boson Celtics.

For the record, the top three most watched soccer matches in American television history (combined English- and Spanish-language broadcasts) are:

1. Netherlands vs. Spain, 2010 World Cup Final = 24.3 million viewers
2. USA vs. Ghana, 2010 World Cup Round of 16 = 19.4 million viewers
3. Brazil vs. Italy, 1994 World Cup Final = 18.1 million viewers

The 15.5 million viewers that tuned in to watch the 2010 World Cup Final on ABC were the most for any men’s soccer match in US television history, besting USA vs. Ghana (19.4 million)

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