Super Sporting Sunday Breaks Sky Sports Records
A super Sunday of sport headlined by Rory McIlroy’s Masters’ success has given Sky Sports its biggest-ever day.
Rory McIlroy’s Masters success helped give Sky Sports a record-breaking super Sunday. © Getty Images
Key Facts:
- Sky Sports breaks its viewership records for its most-watched sporting day.
- Rory McIlroy’s historic Masters victory attracted 1.85 million viewers.
- Once again, people under 35 show their appreciation of all things sport.
Sunday, April 13 2025, will not go down in the history books as an earth-shattering day akin to 9/11 or the moon landing. However, in Sky Sports West London headquarters, it will be fondly remembered as the day champagne corks popped and staff, after much high-fiving, went home with a pay-packet bonus.
For the broadcaster, April 13 was a history maker, breaking its viewership records for its most-watched sporting day ever. Driven by a packed day of wall-to-wall action, from the Premier League and F1 to Tennis, Golf, Indian Premier League, Scottish League, and the English Football League, Sky Sports reached 7.5 million viewers on linear channels during the day.
A record average audience of 1.3 million sports-obsessed viewers tuned in between 6 am Sunday and 2 am Monday, marking a record 19% share of total TV viewing and a 39% share among under-35s – higher numbers than those enjoyed by any terrestrial broadcaster.
Sporting Drama and a Proud Day
The day, of course, dramatically culminated with Rory McIlroy’s historic Masters victory. Completing a career Grand Slam – and the only European to win all four majors – the Northern Irish golfer drew a record peak audience of 1.85 million to Sky Sports. It was 37 percent of the total TV viewership.
David Howell discusses how Rory McIlroy recovered from his chip into the water on hole 13 to win the Masters and career Grand Slam 😲🏆 pic.twitter.com/padYkA0SE5
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 14, 2025
The record-breaking day led Sky Sports Managing Director Jonathan Licht to declare: “Sunday was a day of unforgettable sporting drama, and a proud day for Sky Sports, as the live-action had fans gripped from the morning into the early hours.”
“From Rory’s historic win at Augusta to an exciting Bahrain Grand Prix and a packed schedule of football, cricket and tennis – it was a day that had it all. These record-breaking numbers are a testament to the incredible teams who work tirelessly behind the scenes to bring unmissable moments to life and showcase the very best in sport across the world.”
Sky Sports historic day of sport featured:
- Premier League Super Sunday: Liverpool vs West Ham and Newcastle United vs Manchester United
- EFL Trophy Final: Birmingham City vs Peterborough
- SPFL: Aberdeen vs Rangers
- Bundesliga: VfB Stuttgart vs Werder Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt vs FC Heidenheim 1846
- Formula 1: The Bahrain Grand Prix
- Major Golf: The Masters
- Ladies European Tour Golf: The Investec South African Women’s Open
- ATP Tennis: Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters
- Netball Super League: Birmingham Panthers vs London Pulse
- Rugby Super League: Huddersfield Giants vs Catalans Dragons
- IPL Cricket: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians
- PSL Cricket: Quetta Gladiators vs Lahore Qalandars
- IndyCar: The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
- NRL: Newcastle Knights vs Wests Tigers
Sky’s Big Day Was Also a Day for Favourite Backers
And it was a day for the favourites that probably cost the UK’s online bookmakers a proverbial pretty packet. Liverpool’s 2-1 win against West Ham was a result for favourite backers, as was Newcastle’s 4-1 victory over Manchester United.
Another betting favourite, Oscar Piastri, made all from the front of the grid to land F1’s Bahrain Grand Prix. And while Rory McIlroy started the Masters final round from poll position – leading by two shots – and he squandered his advantage, at no point in time did he trade at odds against.
