Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl Sets TV Ratings Record

Despite a low-scoring and lopsided game, the broadcast drew the second-largest audience ever for the big game.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The 2026 Super Bowl between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks may have been a boring affair on the field, but it still managed to draw a massive television audience. The NBC telecast averaged 124.9 million viewers, making it the second-most-watched Super Bowl ever behind last year's matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

Why it matters

While the game itself lacked drama and excitement, the continued strong viewership for the Super Bowl highlights the event's status as one of the most-watched television broadcasts each year. Even a lopsided contest couldn't dampen the public's enthusiasm for the big game.

The details

The Super Bowl LX matchup between the Patriots and Seahawks featured just 12 total points through the first three quarters, with Seattle eventually pulling away for a 29-13 victory. Despite the lack of scoring and drama, the NBC telecast still managed to average 124.9 million viewers, down slightly from the record 127.7 million who tuned in for last year's Chiefs-Eagles game on FOX.

  • Super Bowl LX took place on February 9, 2026.
  • The TV ratings for the game were released on February 11, 2026.

The players

New England Patriots

The NFL franchise based in Foxborough, Massachusetts that has won 6 Super Bowl championships.

Seattle Seahawks

The NFL franchise based in Seattle, Washington that has won 2 Super Bowl championships.

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The takeaway

Despite a lackluster game on the field, the enduring popularity of the Super Bowl was on full display, with the 2026 edition drawing the second-largest TV audience in the event's history. This underscores the NFL's ability to attract massive viewership even for games that fail to live up to the hype.