• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Arts & EntertainmentSports

The Women’s World Cup Final Scores in U.S. TV Ratings

By
Isaac Feldberg
Isaac Feldberg
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Isaac Feldberg
Isaac Feldberg
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 8, 2019, 2:16 PM ET

It was a match to remember, both in terms of what euphoria sprung from witnessing the U.S. women’s soccer team triumph over the Netherlands in a heart-stopping 2-0 victory, and in terms of how many tuned in to watch the tense match.

The Women’s World Cup final on Sunday scored a preliminary 10.0 household rating in overnight metered markets for Fox, according to Nielsen. That’s nearly 20% more than the men’s final match between France and Croatia last year, which drew an 8.3 in the same metric on its way to a total of 12.5 million viewers. 

The total viewership for this final will soon become apparent. All eyes are on whether it could possibly top the 2015 women’s final against Japan, the most-watched in U.S. history with 25.4 million viewers. The 2015 games’ edge may be that they were held in Canada and so aired in a more U.S.-friendly primetime slot. 

In Lyon, France, the match was a charged, thrilling event, as well as a cathartic moment for the U.S. team, which will return home to battle a lawsuit with U.S. Soccer, filed in March, on the grounds of gender discrimination; as the players celebrated their win, audiences chanted “Equal pay!” from the stands.

Social media was ablaze throughout the game, especially after captain Megan Rapinoe became a viral sensation for her candor in interviews and triumphant celebration pose. Notably, Rapinoe, who is openly gay and has frequently criticized gender inequality in the U.S., stated before the match that she would never visit the White House if invited, drawing the ire of President Donald Trump.

“Megan should WIN first before she TALKS!” Trump wrote on Twitter. “Finish the job!” Once she and the U.S. women’s team did exactly that, Trump—despite stating in June that he would invite the team regardless of whether they won—simply congratulated the team, without expounding upon whether an invitation would be sent.

More must-read stories from Fortune:

—Spider-Man: Far From Home’s record opening is great news for the summer box office

—The Hollywood writer-agent battle continues with lawsuits and a new deal offer

—Why Taylor Swift is ‘grossed out’ by Scooter Braun holding rights to her old music

—Classic rock is reanimating Summer 2019’s movies

—Listen to our new audio briefing,Fortune 500 Daily

Follow Fortune on Flipboard to stay up-to-date on the latest news and analysis.

About the Author
By Isaac Feldberg
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

Big TechStreaming
Trump warns Netflix-Warner deal may pose antitrust ‘problem’
By Hadriana Lowenkron, Se Young Lee and BloombergDecember 7, 2025
8 hours ago
Arts & EntertainmentReligion
This pastor fills up arenas with young people by not sugarcoating the Bible, serving a generation ‘gravitating towards that authenticity and truth’
By Charlotte Kramon and The Associated PressDecember 7, 2025
16 hours ago
MagazineWarren Buffett
Warren Buffett: Business titan and cover star
By Indrani SenDecember 7, 2025
21 hours ago
Arts & EntertainmentMedia
Former Amazon Studios boss warns the Netflix-Warner Bros. deal will make Hollywood ‘a system that circles a single sun’
By Jason MaDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
Raul Rocha Cantú
LawCrime
Miss Universe co-owner gets bank accounts frozen as part of probe into drugs, fuel and arms trafficking
By Fabiola Sánchez and The Associated PressDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
Zaslav, Sarandos
BankingMedia
A Thanksgiving dealmaking sprint helped Netflix win Warner Bros.
By Michelle F. Davis and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Real Estate
The 'Great Housing Reset' is coming: Income growth will outpace home-price growth in 2026, Redfin forecasts
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
AI
Nvidia CEO says data centers take about 3 years to construct in the U.S., while in China 'they can build a hospital in a weekend'
By Nino PaoliDecember 6, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
The most likely solution to the U.S. debt crisis is severe austerity triggered by a fiscal calamity, former White House economic adviser says
By Jason MaDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says Europe has a 'real problem’
By Katherine Chiglinsky and BloombergDecember 6, 2025
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Big Tech
Mark Zuckerberg rebranded Facebook for the metaverse. Four years and $70 billion in losses later, he’s moving on
By Eva RoytburgDecember 5, 2025
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Politics
Supreme Court to reconsider a 90-year-old unanimous ruling that limits presidential power on removing heads of independent agencies
By Mark Sherman and The Associated PressDecember 7, 2025
17 hours ago
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.