The 15 Highest Rated Sporting Events in TV History

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Whether or not you want to admit it, there’s no stopping the power of content. It’s everywhere, on all different types of platforms, giving people unlimited amounts of overloaded information and entertainment. And, because some of the most-watched content out there happens to be sports, we wanted to give you an idea of what people love to watch the most. In fact, as the top rankings in TV history will show you, the consensus is quite clear—America can’t get enough of their football.

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15. AFC Divisional Playoff Game – 37.66 million (2013)

As most of these contests will show you, the biggest games in each NFL season are the ones that fans just can’t stop tuning into. And with two franchises competing in the playoffs like the New England Patriots and Houston Texans, it was clear that fans were going to watch. Neither team may have made it to the Super Bowl in 2013—and the game wasn’t necessarily all that close—but over 37 million viewers watched Tom Brady and the Pats win one at home.

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14. NFC Wild Card Game – 38.09 million (2013)

Pitting a storied franchise like the Washington Redskins at home against one of the most loyal fan bases in all of sports, the Seattle Seahawks, FOX knew that it would have ratings gold for this 2013 NFC Wild Card matchup. It proved to be a great game, too, as rookie quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson duked it out and put on some drama, as RG3 fought through pain and Wilson overcame a second-half deficit to lead his team to a road win.

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13. AFC Divisional Playoff Game – 41.21 million (2014)

Two, longtime divisional rivals, the AFC West’s San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos battled for a third time during the 2013-14 NFL playoffs, taking on one another in a critical Divisional playoff game. While the Broncos were favored to win big, the Chargers gave them more of a contest than they would have enjoyed, winning by just seven points on their way to advancing to the AFC Championship Game a week later.

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12. NFC Championship Game – 42.00 million (2013)

It was the second-straight NFC title game for the San Francisco 49ers, as they rolled into Atlanta to take on the Falcons. The game was close, with Atlanta having a chance to clinch their first trip to the Super Bowl since 1998. Unfortunately, the Niners hit on all cylinders at the right time, scoring the game-winning score late in the fourth quarter for the team’s first lead, earning a Super Bowl berth. Great drama brought great ratings for FOX, as 42 million people tuned in.

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11. NFC Wild Card Game – 47.10 million (2014)

Two of the most storied franchises in NFL history, the Green Bay Packers hosted the San Francisco 49ers in a blistery Lambeau Field last January in a pivotal NFC Wild Card Game. WIth the wintry conditions, both teams were forced to run the ball and rely on their defenses, making for a tough fought game. With Colin Kaepernick leading his team to a victory on the road, over 47 million people witnessed why he’s considered to special, as he rushed for 98 yards in the 23-20 win.

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10. AFC Championship Game – 47.71 million (2013)

Say what you wish to about the New England Patriots, but, one thing’s for sure—they know how to draw a crowd. Playing in, yet another, AFC Championship Game in 2013, the Pats hosted the Baltimore Ravens, who, over the years, had developed quite the rivalry with. While few would bet against Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco went on the road and stunned the Foxborough crowd, winning the game and earning a trip to the Super Bowl, 28-13.

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9. AFC Championship Game – 51.30 million (2014)

Peyton Manning. Tom Brady. The two names are synonymous with success, so, whenever each step foot on the same field, there will be millions of people tuning in to see what unfolds. Seeing how 51.30 million did just that during last year’s AFC title game, CBS was happy that the future Hall of Famers were the starring act, as Denver held the Pats down and secured their first Super Bowl trip under the guidance of quarterback Peyton Manning—who set tons of passing records during the 2013 season.

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8. NFC Championship Game – 55.91 million (2014)

Earning the highest rating in the history of the NFL for a conference title game, the bitter rivalry between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers lived up to the hype. Playing for the third time in the 2013 season, with each earning a victory at home in the regular season, the game was tight throughout. The outcome was in the balance until the waning moments, when a tipped Colin Kaepernick pass by Richard Sherman was intercepted in the end zone to clinch the Seahawks’ trip to the Super Bowl.

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7. Super Bowl XLII – 148.3 million (2008)

Until being broken by following Super Bowl contests, the Big Game in 2008 between the undefeated New England Patriots and New York Giants drew over 148 million people. With the Pats hoping to become the first 18-0 team in NFL history and win their fourth Super Bowl of the decade, there was high drama and intrigue. Thanks to the greatest catch in Super Bowl history by the Giants David Tyree and a game-winning touchdown pass from Eli Manning a few plays later, the Giants pulled one of the biggest upsets in the game’s history, winning 17-14.

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6. Super Bowl XLIII – 151.6 million (2009)

Another Super Bowl contest that once held the record as the most-watched sporting event in history, Super Bowl XLIII between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals was one of the best matchups ever seen. With a last-second, interception returned for a touchdown before halftime by the Steelers, and a last-second, toe-tapping touchdown catch by Pittsburgh to win the game, it kept the 151.6 million people on the edge of their seats throughout.

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5. Super Bowl XLIV – 153.4 million (2010)

A matchup of two of the games best quarterbacks, Super Bowl XLIV pinned Peyton Manning’s Indianapolis Colts against the New Orleans Saints and star signal-caller Drew Brees. After a slow start for each team, the second-half brought more plays and bigger drama, as an interception thrown by Manning was returned by the Saints’ Tracy Porter for a touchdown, all but securing the victory for New Orleans and bumping Brees into the upper echelon of A-list passers during his generation.

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4. Super Bowl XLV – 162.9 million (2011)

Earning their third trip to the Super Bowl in the past decade, the Pittsburgh Steelers had hoped to win their seventh Lombardi Trophy. There was just one problem—Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers were determined to make sure it didn’t happen. In a tight contest, Rodgers threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, earning game MVP honors as he led the Pack to their second ever Super Bowl title. With the game being played in Dallas’ mega-stadium and pinning two great organizations, nearly 163 million people watched.

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3. Super Bowl XLVII – 164.1 million (2013)

Better known as the “Beyonce Bowl,” the 2013 Super Bowl between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers had tons of intrigue. Not only did the game pit brothers Jim and John Harbaugh against one another, but it also was the last game for Ravens future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, who hoped to end his illustrious career with a second title. In another epic battle, the game featured insane plays, a great comeback and a near game-winning drive. The Ravens held the Niners in the end, though, celebrating in front of the 164.1 million watching on TV.

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2. Super Bowl XLVI – 166.8 million (2012)

While the aforementioned Super Bowl matchup between the New England Patriots and New York Giants in 2008 had more drama leading up to the kickoff, the 2012 version had the same flare during the game. With Eli Manning coming up clutch when it mattered the most, he won his second Super Bowl by defeating the Pats 21-17 on his older brother Peyton’s home field. Thanks to the encore presentation of two franchises who delivered in the first matchup, nearly 167 million made sure to watch.

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1. Super Bowl XLVIII – 167 million (2014)

With the best offense going against the best defense in the NFL during the 2014 NFL season, 167 million people had to see which side of the ball would come out on top. And when the quarterback of that great offense is Peyton Manning, and that pulverizing defense is the Seattle Seahawks—who have some of the most loyal and devoted fans in all of sports—it’s no wonder so many fans watched. The game was a snoozefest, with Seattle winning 43-8 and controlling things from the beginning, but it still, narrowly, holds the record for the most-watched sporting event ever.

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Written by Nick Dimengo

Graduate of the University of Kentucky. Cleveland sports fan. Frustrated respecter of LeBron James. Influencer of bad ideas. In addition to Worthly/Housely, I'm a regular contributor to Bleacher Report, Scout, Esquire and Maxim, and run or bike way too much for my own good when not writing. The day a Cleveland sports team wins a title is the day I can officially say my life is complete.