NFL sets record with average 21 million viewers per game in Week 1

Sept. 11 (UPI) -- An average of 21 million viewers per game tuned in to NFL matchups in Week 1, setting a viewership record for the opening-week slate, the league announced Wednesday.

A total of 123 million viewers watched NFL games, the highest total audience for a Week 1 slate since 2019. The 21 million average viewers per game -- from TV and digital platforms and the most on record -- is up 12% compared to 2023.

The Kansas City Chiefs ' win over the Baltimore Ravens , which launched the NFL season, and the Detroit Lions ' win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football -- both of which aired on NBC -- averaged 25 million viewers, the highest two-game kickoff weekend average since 2015.

Games that aired Sunday afternoon on CBS and Fox afternoon averaged 18.4 million viewers, the highest viewership mark since 2016.

The San Francisco 49ers - New York Jets matchup on Monday Night Football averaged 20.4 million viewers across ABC, ESPN+ and ESPN2. That average made the game the most-watched Week 1 Monday Night Football meeting since 2000.

The Miami Dolphins will host the Buffalo Bills in the first game of Week 2. That primetime matchup will kick off at 8:15 p.m. EDT Thursday in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The Thursday Night Football broadcast will air on Prime Video.