Manchester City win over Arsenal sets Premier League US broadcasting record

Manchester City win over Arsenal sets Premier League US broadcasting record

• Man City’s clash against Arsenal is now the most-watched Premier League match in US history.
• NBC Sports’ presentation of the match drew 2.6 million viewers in the nation.
• City and Arsenal are battling it out for the Premier League title in the final month of the season.

Manchester City secured a crucial 2-1 victory against Arsenal in the Premier League on April 19 at the Etihad Stadium.

Rayan Cherki opened the scoring for the hosts in the 16th minute, followed by Kai Havertz netting the equalizer for the Gunners just two minutes later.

While the first half ended with the score tied, Erling Haaland found the back of the net in the 65th minute, earning a much-needed three points for City in this season’s title race.

With the victory against Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side reduced the points gap to three with the Gunners, followed by claiming the top spot on the league table with their recent 1-0 win over Burnley on Wednesday, April 22.

Manchester City’s second meeting with Arsenal in the top flight this campaign was a pivotal match for both sides and was strongly considered a deciding factor in the title race.

The significance of the high-stakes clash was reflected in its viewership as NBC Sports’ presentation of the game is now the most-watched Premier League match in United States history, averaging 2.6 million viewers across NBC, Peacock, Telemundo, and NBC Sports Digital platforms.

NBC Sports stated that the record viewership count is based on official Nielsen Big Data + Panel and digital data from Adobe Analytics.

Manchester City-Arsenal EPL rivalry leads U.S. history

Premier League fixtures between Manchester City and Arsenal over the years make the top two in the chart of most-watched English top-flight matches, presented in English and Spanish, in the United States history.

With last weekend’s match ranking on top, City’s goalless draw against Arsenal in March 2024 at the Etihad during the 2023-24 Premier League season is second on the list, with almost a similar viewer count as the first.

Manchester United’s league clash against Arsenal in August last year at Old Trafford recorded a viewership of 2.5 million, ranking third on the list, followed by another match between the two in January 2023 at the Emirates Stadium that had 2.3 million viewers and stands fourth.

Liverpool’s home match against the Gunners in December 2023 ranks fifth with a viewership of 2.3 million.

Manchester City and Arsenal’s match was also the final match that included in-person supporters at the Premier League Mornings Live Fan Fest last weekend in Tampa Bay, where over 15,000 fans were in attendance at the 12th fan festival presented by NBC Sports and the Premier League.

Manchester City and Arsenal’s race for 2025/26 EPL title

While both Manchester City and Arsenal currently have 70 points and a goal difference of +37 in 33 matches in the top flight, Guardiola’s side are ahead in position due to their superior tally of 66 goals as opposed to the Gunners’ 63 goals so far this season.

Following their upcoming FA Cup semi-final tie against Southampton on Saturday, City face Everton in their next league clash on May 5 at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are pitted against Newcastle United on April 24 at the Emirates Stadium, followed by their first leg of the semi-final clash of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid on April 29 at Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

Having lifted the EFL Cup, Manchester City are aiming for the domestic treble this season with their chances in the FA Cup and the Premier League. Mikel Arteta will be hoping for his squad to claim the league title and the Champions League title.

With the intense title race afoot, both English sides will be looking to win the remaining five games of the campaign and maintain a higher goal difference and goals scored tally than their opponents.

If both clubs finish the campaign tied in points, goal difference, and goals scored, Manchester City will be crowned Premier League champions as they have earned more points across the two head-to-head matches with Arsenal this season.