As we reflect on 2024, we witnessed many dominating performances across the U.S. sports landscape. Teams like the Dodgers, Celtics, and Chiefs made impressive title runs. From the comfort of their homes to the excitement of live venues, the viewing habits of Americans provide an interesting snapshot of how we engage with sports today.
According to data from YouGov Sport, a majority of fans watched the games from home. The highest percentage of “at-home” viewership among those who watched was for the MLB World Series Game 5 (80%), followed by the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, the CFP National Championship Game, and the Super Bowl (all three at 76%).
At the other end of the spectrum, the MLS Cup and the US Open tennis finals had the highest percentage of out-of-home viewership among the events measured, with only 61% and 66% respectively saying they watched at home.
When compared to similar research that was conducted in the UK, Americans are generally less likely to gather at places like bars and pubs to watch games.
Overall, the data reveals that while many Americans prefer watching sports from home, there is still a significant portion that enjoys the communal experience of watching with friends or in public venues. As we move into 2025, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve.