Above a Premier League ‘final’! Flamengo match tops the ratings | OneFootball

Flamengo vs Independiente Medellín (COL) boosted ratings for ESPN channels

Manchester City (ENG) 2–1 Arsenal (ENG), the Premier League leader and runner-up, was one of the most anticipated matches in world football in 2026. However, ESPN channels were all smiles with Flamengo 4–1 Independiente Medellín (COL) in the Copa Libertadores da América. The broadcaster, which aired both matches, drew higher ratings with Mengão.

According to journalist Gabriel Vaquer, who specializes in television news, ESPN led the pay TV ratings in recent days thanks to the two matches. Flamengo’s rout earned the network seven points, while the Premier League clash, which had a “final-like” feel, reached four.

DID FLAMENGO’S MATCH BEAT FREE-TO-AIR TV?

The ratings for Flamengo vs Medellín drew so much attention that ESPN even managed to beat free-to-air channels such as SBT and Band. In addition, Mengão scored ten times higher on IBOPE compared to second place, which was Globoplay Novelas.

Meanwhile, Manchester City vs Arsenal, with four points, gave ESPN its highest pay TV audience of the year for European match broadcasts. The English league clash drew 23% more than the second-place channel, SporTV.

SO WHEN WILL ESPN BROADCAST FLAMENGO’S NEXT MATCH?

Without the broadcast rights for the Copa do Brasil and the Brasileirão, ESPN will only show another Flamengo match in the fourth round of the Libertadores, against Medellín, in Colombia. The third-round match, against Estudiantes de La Plata (ARG), will be shown by Globo and Paramount Plus.

Flamengo’s next match this season, meanwhile, will be in the Brasileirão. This Sunday (26), from 8:30 p.m. Brasília time, the Most Beloved takes on Atlético-MG in the 13th round of the Brasileirão. With no ESPN coverage, SporTV (pay TV) and Premiere (pay-per-view) will air the match.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.