The All Whites’ opening match on June 16 saw TVNZ+ deliver its largest streaming day ever, with almost 2.3 million streams across the 24-hour period.
The match, which resulted in a 2-2 draw against IR Iran, generated a 555,000 streams on TVNZ+. On TVNZ 1, 465,000 people watched the game, placing it in the top five highest-rated football matches on broadcast television since 2010.
TVNZ’s chief executive officer Jodi O’Donnell says: “New Zealand has become a nation of football lovers, and the size of the audience watching the All Whites live on TVNZ shows just how passionately we back our team. Making every All Whites match at the FIFA World Cup 2026 available live and free to view was important to us – every Kiwi should have the opportunity to support our players on the world’s biggest stage.
“To achieve TVNZ+’s biggest streaming day ever so early in the tournament is a huge moment for us. It reflects the growing role TVNZ+ is playing in bringing major live events to audiences across Aotearoa.”
Highest reaching sports event
The match, which saw Palmerston North’s Elijah Just make history as the first New Zealander to score two goals in a World Cup game, became the highest reaching individual sports event on TVNZ+. The previous holder of this streaming record was the UEFA EUROS Final in 2024, further showcasing Aotearoa’s love for football.
All eyes move to Monday, where the All Whites take on Egypt in their second group stage match. TVNZ 1’s coverage starts at 12pm, with Chris Chang, All Whites goalkeeper Oli Sail and Wellington Phoenix legend Paul Ifill providing studio analysis and insight ahead of the 1pm kick off.
All 104 matches from the Fifa World Cup 2026 are available live and on demand via a one-off purchase of a TVNZ+ Event Pass.
Source:
Nielsen TAM; Consolidated until 08/06/2026; FIFA WC 2026 on TVNZ 1*; Ranking based on Average Aud %; Sport – Football; All Linear Channels
Nielsen TAM: Consolidated until 08/06/2026; 01/01/2010 – 16/06/2026; All Linear channels; Sport – Football; Ranked by Aud %
TVNZ+ Internal Data; Reach & Streams; Excludes co-viewing.
