The Republic of Ireland’s World Cup Qualifier against Hungary drew an average of 788,000 viewers on RTÉ2, commanding a remarkable 75% share of all TV viewing in Ireland at the time.
The match peaked at 1,017,000 viewers at 4.02 pm in the final dramatic moments. A further 435,000 streams were delivered on RTÉ Player, while RTÉ Radio 1’s Sunday Sport carried live commentary and analysis.
Thursday’s qualifier against Portugal also drew a massive audience, averaging 711,000 viewers with a 57% share across RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, alongside 50,000 more in the Aviva Stadium. The broadcast peaked at 966,000 viewers, with 317,000 streams recorded to date. The game was carried live on an extended edition of RTÉ Radio 1 Inside Sport.
Friday brought more drama as Ireland faced Canada in the FIFA U17 World Cup on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. The full match attracted an average of 109,000 viewers, with more than 334,000 people tuning in at some stage.
Later that evening, over half a million viewers watched some of Ireland’s UEFA U21 European Championship Qualifier against England, with an average of 184,000 staying with the whole broadcast.
Ireland’s Quilter Nations Series rugby clash with Australia averaged 690,000 viewers and a 54% share, supported by 167,000 streams on RTÉ Player and full live radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1.
The Saturday Game Live also brought audiences the Leinster Club Football Championship Quarter-Final on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
Across the weekend, RTÉ.ie/Sport recorded five million page views, reflecting strong digital engagement with live updates, reports and commentary. Numerous clips on social media have reached 1.5 million views on X.
Raidió na Gaeltachta also delivered extensive live coverage, including the Junior and Senior Hurling and Football Championships in Munster, Connacht and Leinster, as well as the Donegal U21 club football championship on Spórt an tSathairn and Spórt an Lae.
The action continues on Tuesday, with RTÉ providing live coverage of the Republic of Ireland’s FIFA U17 World Cup Round of 16 meeting with Switzerland at 2.30 pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, followed by the U21S’ UEFA Euro Qualifier away to Andorra at 6.00 pm.
Image Credit: Sport for Business / RTÉ Sport
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