World Cup and State of Origin Push Australian TV to Record Viewing

Record Numbers for Australian Football Broadcasts

Australian television audience measurement body OzTAM has reported record viewing figures driven by two of the country's biggest sporting events: the FIFA Women's World Cup and the NRL State of Origin series. The data points to a significant surge in audiences tuning in across both free-to-air and streaming platforms, underlining the continued power of live sport to pull viewers.

The combination of the Women's World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, and the annual State of Origin rivalry between New South Wales and Queensland produced audience numbers that OzTAM described as record-level, according to reporting by Bandt.

Why These Two Events Moved the Needle

State of Origin has long been a ratings anchor for Australian broadcasters. The three-game series between the Blues and the Maroons consistently ranks among the most-watched domestic sporting events each year, drawing audiences that stretch well beyond traditional rugby league heartlands in New South Wales and Queensland.

The Women's World Cup added a different dimension in 2023. With matches played on home soil and the Matildas advancing deep into the tournament, interest reached levels that surprised even broadcasters. Games involving the Australian national side attracted viewers who would not normally follow football, and the cumulative effect on total platform audiences was substantial.

Together, the two properties gave broadcasters and streaming services a sustained run of high-demand content across several weeks, which OzTAM's figures reflect.

What the OzTAM Data Signals

OzTAM measures television and on-demand viewing across Australia and is the standard source for audience measurement that broadcasters, advertisers, and media buyers rely on. A record result under that methodology carries weight for the industry.

For rights holders and advertisers, the figures confirm that major football codes, both rugby league and soccer, remain among the most reliable vehicles for reaching mass audiences in Australia. Streaming platforms that carried coverage also benefit, as record viewing data strengthens the case that digital simulcasts add genuine reach rather than simply cannibalising linear television audiences.

The results are likely to influence rights negotiations and advertising rate cards heading into future broadcast cycles, as networks can point to verified peak-demand numbers when making their case to commercial partners.