The 2025 Ryder Cup, held at Bethpage Black in New York from September 26-28, has delivered unprecedented viewership figures for Sky Sports in the United Kingdom, marking the broadcaster’s most-watched weekend in history. A staggering 5 million viewers tuned in across the three days of the golf tournament, which saw Team Europe narrowly defeat Team USA by a score of 15-13.
This record-breaking performance represents a significant 45% increase in average viewership compared to the 2023 Ryder Cup held in Rome. The thrilling conclusion of the singles matches on Sunday proved particularly captivating, with one in four UK television viewers tuning in to witness the dramatic finale. Notably, over 40% of the audience watching the climax were under the age of 35, indicating a strong engagement with younger demographics.
A Weekend of Unrivaled Sports Entertainment
The Ryder Cup was the cornerstone of a sensational weekend for Sky Sports, which also featured extensive coverage of the Premier League, the Women’s Super League (WSL), the English Football League (EFL), the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), Bundesliga football, rugby league, tennis, and the NFL. The cumulative audience across all these events reached 8.8 million viewers, solidifying it as Sky Sports’ most successful weekend of all time.
Digital Engagement Surges Alongside Broadcast Numbers
Beyond linear television, digital and social media engagement also reached new heights. Sky Sports’ social media channels garnered an impressive 55 million total views across all platforms, marking a 66% increase from the 2023 event. The Sky Sports app and website recorded 12.4 million page views throughout Ryder Cup week, and the Sky Sports Golf podcast topped Apple’s trending charts.
Peak Audiences and Historical Context
The peak audience for the Ryder Cup finale was the highest ever recorded for any golf event on Sky Sports. This surpassed previous records, including Rory McIlroy’s Masters victory earlier in the year and the dramatic 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah. The 2025 event, taking place at Bethpage Black, saw Europe secure its first away win since that memorable 2012 triumph.
Sky Sports’ Commitment to Golf
This record-breaking performance underscores Sky Sports’ strong position as the premier broadcaster of golf in the United Kingdom. The network holds exclusive rights to all four men’s majors and five women’s majors, alongside extensive coverage of various professional tours and team events like the Ryder Cup. The success of the 2025 Ryder Cup signifies a vibrant future for golf viewership, particularly among younger demographics, and highlights the enduring appeal of this historic sporting rivalry. The event’s ability to capture such a broad audience across multiple platforms demonstrates the continued power of major sporting events to engage and entertain fans nationwide, making it a trending topic in Sports news across the United Kingdom.
