A new Nielsen report paints a vivid picture of soccer’s expanding footprint across North America, revealing that more than 136 million fans now follow the sport on the continent, a 10.9 percent jump from five years ago.
Soccer climbs the ranks
In the global hierarchy, the United States secures the fourth‑largest fanbase, with 62.5 million supporters, while Mexico tops the region with 63 percent of its population tuning in.
The surge is not confined to traditional strongholds; in both the United States and Canada, soccer now outpaces many long‑standing domestic sports, ranking third and fourth respectively behind American football and ice hockey.
Demographic shifts
The study highlights a youthful tilt, with 76 percent of U.S. fans identifying as Millennials or Generation Z, and notes a higher share of female followers — 43 percent — compared with Europe’s 36 percent.
About a quarter of North American supporters picked up the sport within the last five years, underscoring the sport’s accelerating adoption curve.
Economic footprint
Beyond viewership, soccer’s economic engine is evident in the recent FIFA Club World Cup hosted in major U.S. cities, which generated a gross output of $17.1 billion and contributed $9.6 billion to U.S. GDP.
The tournament created 105,000 full‑time equivalent jobs and delivered $5.8 billion in labor income, while projected tax revenues are expected to reach $1.9 billion for governments at various levels.
Viewing habits also reflect the sport’s mainstreaming, with 72 percent of North Americans watching matches via television or streaming platforms, and social media emerging as the next most popular engagement channel.
Overall, the data suggest that soccer’s rise is reshaping entertainment preferences, labor markets, and even urban economies across the continent.