USA-Canada Four Nations Face-Off: Championship Breaks ESPN Ratings Records – What It Means for Sports Fans!

The final showdown between Team USA and Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off was a thrilling event that attracted huge attention. According to ESPN, it pulled in an average of 9.3 million viewers, making it its most-watched hockey game ever.

This viewership broke the previous NHL record of 8.9 million, which was set during the 2019 Stanley Cup on NBC. At its peak, the game drew an impressive 10.4 million viewers, becoming the most watched non-football event since the 2024 NBA Finals.

The excitement of the match extended to ESPN+, where it also set a viewership record for non-NFL events. Overall, the 4 Nations games averaged 4.3 million viewers on ESPN, a staggering 1,079% increase compared to the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

As noted by Sports Media Watch, the U.S.-Canada finale is now the most-watched non-Olympic hockey game on record. In a previous matchup between these teams in the tournament, viewership was already impressive, averaging 4.4 million—a sign of growing interest in hockey.

The final game was intense right from the start, with both teams trading blows almost immediately. Ultimately, Canada came out on top with a 3-2 victory, thanks to a game-winning goal by Connor McDavid during overtime.

After the game, McDavid expressed how much the tournament meant to their team, saying, “Just to see the reaction… it means the world to our group.” He also shared hopes that the tournament would help introduce new fans to the sport, highlighting its appeal.

McDavid’s wish seems to be coming true as the event has sparked a remarkable interest in hockey among fans. It looks like the 4 Nations Face-Off is just the beginning of something special in the hockey world.