Sky Sports are celebrating their biggest weekend in history after reporting record viewing figures for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
But it was a different story in the USA, as the numbers tuning in for the final day in New York were at their lowest of the century.
Europe’s huge seven-point lead was obviously a significant factor in the disappointing US figures, while NBC’s golf coverage was also competing with the NFL and the final day of the regular MLB season.
According to Josh Carpenter at the Sports Business Journal, NBC averaged only 3.22 million viewers for Sunday’s singles matches, peaking at 5.3m as the USA launched their incredible fightback.
The last Ryder Cup in the United States drew an average of just over 3.5m viewers on the final day, but this year’s edition was the least watched since the Battle of Brookline in 1999.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
But it was a different story for Sky Sports as the weekend action drew a record 8.8 million viewers for their coverage of the Ryder Cup, Premier League, EFL, WSL, SPFL and Bundesliga as well as rugby league, tennis and NFL.
The ratings for the Ryder Cup were up by 45% from 2023, with a record peak at around 10pm as Europe held on to clinch a nail-biting 15-13 victory.
A statement issued by Sky read: “Central to the weekend was the 2025 Ryder Cup which created history on and off the course with a record-breaking 5 million viewers tuning in to watch Team Europe edge out Team USA across the three days of the tournament.
This weekend was the most watched in Sky Sports history with 8.8 million viewers tuning in 📺
This included watching a historic Ryder Cup win for Team Europe, action from the Premier League, EFL, WSL, SPFL and Bundesliga as well as rugby league, tennis and NFL ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/saxCfTZszh
— Sky Sports (@SkySports) September 30, 2025
“Average viewing of this year’s thrilling showdown across Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event was up 45% on the 2023 Ryder Cup.
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
“On Sunday evening, one in four TV viewers were watching the dramatic end to the singles, including more than 40% of under-35s. The audience peak just after 22.00 for the nail-biting finale was the highest ever for golf on Sky Sports, eclipsing the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah and Rory McIlroy’s Masters win in April, which remains Sky Sports’ most-watched single day.
“Ryder Cup interest extended beyond linear as Sky Sports social channels generated 55 million total views across all platforms, up 66% from 2023. Digital engagement saw 12.4 million page views across Ryder Cup week on the Sky Sports app and skysports.com, and the Sky Sports Golf podcast topped the trending chart on Apple Podcasts over the weekend.”
Sky’s chief sports office, Jonathan Licht, said: “The Ryder Cup weekend always delivers high drama and this year was no exception with extraordinary twists and historic victory for Team Europe.
“Record audiences tuned in to watch the thrilling action from Bethpage Black, and the Premier League, WSL, Championship, Super League, NFL and more.
“The results we’ve seen across linear, social, and digital this weekend show how the biggest sporting events really are the best of entertainment, and the exceptional teams at Sky Sports help make them truly unmissable for fans.”
Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe to our Newsletter
