The 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush has become the most-watched edition of the tournament since the famous 2022 Open at St. Andrews. With millions tuning in across television and streaming platforms, this year’s Open drew record-breaking numbers that demonstrate just how strong interest in the game remains.
2025 Open Shatters Multiple Viewership Records
This year’s tournament saw a huge jump in viewers, especially during the final round, where Scottie Scheffler pulled away to win by four shots. NBC and Peacock averaged 4.1 million viewers on Sunday, peaking at 6.1 million during the crucial final moments of Scheffler’s round.
Viewers increased final-round viewership by 21% compared to last year’s Open. Across the entire weekend, audiences continued to grow significantly.” Over the entire weekend, the tournament averaged 3.6 million viewers, up 24% from 2024’s numbers. This made it the most-watched sports broadcast of the weekend in the U.S.
Over the four days of the tournament, NBC and the USA Network brought in an average of 2 million viewers per day, marking a 16% increase from the previous year. It was the best four-day viewership for The Open since it was held at St. Andrews three years ago.
Streaming also played a big part in the success. NBC’s Peacock platform saw record numbers, with Saturday and Sunday simulcasts setting all-time highs for The Open. The total digital viewing time went up by 13%, showing that more fans are now choosing to stream the event online.
Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports also reported record numbers. More than 21 million hours were watched across the tournament, a 36% increase from last year. It became the most-watched Open Championship ever on Sky.
Why 2025 Open Saw Record Viewership
Several factors contributed to this massive boost in viewership. The biggest reason was the strong play of world number one Scottie Scheffler, who delivered another calm and impressive performance to win his second Open title. Although he didn’t face a serious challenger on the final day, his name alone drew major attention.
There was also extra excitement around this year’s venue. Royal Portrush, hosting The Open for just the second time since 1951, provided a dramatic backdrop that added to the excitement. Its coastal setting and unpredictable weather offered fans a classic links golf experience.
The timing of the broadcast also contributed to the increased viewership. Because tee times started earlier in Northern Ireland, broadcasters aired most of the final round during late morning and early afternoon in the U.S., attracting a larger audience at home. That Sunday window between 1:30 and 1:45 p.m. ET (when Scheffler sealed the title) brought in the biggest peak audience of 6.1 million.
Main Photo Credit: © Michael Madrid-Imagn Images
