College football television viewership is off to a noticeably slower start in 2026. FBS broadcasts averaged 1.7 million viewers across Nielsen-rated networks through September, an 11% decline compared to the first four weeks of the 2025 season, according to Nielsen data provided to Front Office Sports.
And perhaps the biggest difference has been at the very top of the ratings charts.
Texas’ 24-23 comeback win over Ohio State in Week 2 currently stands as the most-watched game of the season at 14 million viewers on ABC. LSU-Ole Miss is the only other game to crack 10 million, drawing 10.9 million viewers.
2026 College Football Viewership vs. 2025
Compare that to 2025.
Four games surpassed 10 million viewers in Week 1 alone last season, led by Texas-Ohio State with 16.6 million viewers on FOX. By the end of the 2025 regular season, 11 different games had reached the 10-million-viewer mark.
That doesn’t mean college football’s television numbers will remain down all season.
The heart of conference play is still ahead, which should provide networks with more marquee SEC and Big Ten matchups during October and November. Front Office Sports also noted that Miami-Notre Dame is scheduled for NBC on Nov. 7 after last year’s meeting drew 10.8 million viewers on ABC. And for Big 12 fans, there’s still a monster BYU vs. Notre Dame match up on October 17th that will draw a huge number, likely north of 10 million.
Still, an 11% decline through September is significant, particularly considering the enormous value television networks have placed on college football.
The sport isn’t suddenly struggling for viewers. But after a huge start to the 2025 season, college football has yet to generate the same collection of massive national audiences in 2026.
