Matildas’ World Cup semi-finals loss breaks TV records and is the highest-rating broadcast in Australia in more than 20 years

The Matildas’ crushing loss to England’s Lionesses broke television viewing records again after 7.132 million viewers tuned into the showdown.

The Matildas’ heartbreak loss to England on Wednesday night captivated a nation and was the most-watched television program since Cathy Freeman’s historic Sydney Olympics win in 2000.

The women’s crushing 3-1 loss to the Lionesses at Stadium Australia in Sydney in front of 80,000 fans drew a national audience of 7.132 million viewers and was the most-watched broadcast in more than two decades.

Official figures from ratings firm OzTAM showed across the five major metropolitan cities the semi-finals clash drew 4.495 million viewers, dominating in Sydney and Melbourne with 1.418 million and 1.379 million viewers respectively.

This includes 6.17 million viewers on Seven and another 957,000 viewers on its streaming platform 7plus.

This does not account for fans who watched the match live on Optus Sport.

Freeman’s iconic 400m final victory was reported as attracting an estimated 8.8 million viewers in 2000 however the official OzTAM measurement system didn’t start until 2001.

Seven Melbourne managing director and head of network sport, Lewis Martin, said the performances by the Matildas and the unprecedented viewership was a win for Australians.

“Australia was captivated last night as the Matildas played their hearts out and did us all proud,” he said.

“Although their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 journey ended last night, the Matildas have rewritten the history books and captured the hearts and minds of the nation with a performance that is sure to inspire generations of Australians for many years to come.”

The semi-finals broadcast trounced what was previously the highest rating broadcast so far in 2023 – the Matildas’ victory over France on Sunday, which was watched by 4.193 million viewers.

This included 3.737 million viewers on linear TV and another 456,000 viewers on 7plus.

Wednesday night’s match also surpassed the Matildas’ win over Denmark last week, which drew an audience of 3.633 million viewers nationally.

Emily Van-Egmond and Sam Kerr after the loss to England. Picture: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

The Matildas’ matches have also lured in more viewers than the AFL and NRL grand final, State of Origin matches and Ash Barty’s historic Australian Open victory in Melbourne 2022, which was broadcast by Nine Entertainment and watched by 4.096 million viewers.

Broadcasters will also be hoping for large audiences to watch the Matildas come against Sweden at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday evening for third spot, while England takes on Spain for the World Cup title at Stadium Australia in Sydney on Sunday night.

Seven partnered with Optus to sub-license the rights to 15 World Cup matches for just over $4m and has had record-breaking numbers in 2023.

Under the deal, the rights ensured all the Matildas’ matches are available free-to-air and also the World Cup finals matches.

Optus’ vice-president of TV, content and product development, Clive Dickens, said the interest in the tournament “exceeded our expectations” and Wednesday night’s clash was the fourth most-watched match ever on Optus Sport.

Three of the top five matches ever viewed on its platform were Matildas matches from the 2023 World Cup.

“It’s an incredible achievement to get to a semi-final and now to the third placed playoff, and I think everyone can agree this has changed football and sport forever,” Mr Dickens said.

“We should celebrate the win of the overall achievement, even if we are sad about the loss.”

New figures from Optus Sport on Thursday revealed the broadcaster has had 65 million social media video views this tournament, and the average viewing time of World Cup content by users is at 20 hours.

Optus is not permitted to air World Cup matches globally – it will allow the Matildas’ clash on Saturday night to be watched for free on its platform.

While the broadcaster does not release viewing statistics, nationally it also has 800 pubs and clubs licensed to watch the World Cup tournament broadcasts in venues including 47 live council sites and on Wednesday some big stadiums including AAMI Park in Melbourne and Village and Event cinemas also showed Wednesday night’s match.

The four-week tournament ends on Sunday and has proven a ratings dream for the two broadcasters Seven and Optus Sport and undoubtedly the envy of every other broadcaster in the country.

Originally published as Matildas’ World Cup semi-finals loss breaks TV records and is the highest-rating broadcast in Australia in more than 20 years