Supersport’s Multi-League Packages Fuel South Africa’s Football Habit

According to official data from Nielsen Sports SA, if there’s one thing the 2024/25 season made clear, it’s that football in South Africa is far more than just a sport – it’s a shared ritual, a cultural mainstay, and a powerful unifier. Across the country, fans kept watching, debating, and engaging – no matter the result on the pitch.

From local rivalries to global showdowns, Supersport offered a diverse slate of football packages, ensuring there was something for every fan. Whether you followed PSL classics, tuned in for El Clásico, or supported Premier League heavyweights, the coverage was designed to match the viewing habits, preferences, and passions of a wide-ranging audience.

Local First: Football for Every South African

Football continues to be deeply woven into South Africa’s social and cultural fabric. The Soweto Derby between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs once again topped the charts as the country’s most-watched local fixture – a reminder of football’s deep emotional grip.

“When Pirates play Chiefs, people stop what they’re doing and watch,” says Tumelo Selikane, Managing Director at Nielsen Sports SA. “What we’re seeing, though, is that fans are evolving in how they engage with the game. Secondary viewership of local matches rose by 6%, with total secondary consumption up by 9%. This shows fans are increasingly choosing when and how they watch – made possible by the range of packages on offer.”

International Football: A Package for Every Taste

Global football continued its local rise, with Supersport broadcasting matches across multiple leagues and offering flexible viewing options to match different fan interests:

• La Liga was the breakout star of the season, with a 30% rise in unique audience and a 133% increase in total consumption. The May El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid drew 1.4 million unique viewers.
• The UEFA Champions League saw a 35% growth in unique viewers, with the Real Madrid vs. Arsenal semi-final peaking at 723,565 unique viewers.
• Serie A carved out a loyal following, with a 17% growth in average unique viewers per game, proving there’s an appetite for depth beyond the headline leagues.
• The Premier League continued to dominate marquee viewership, with Liverpool vs. Manchester City attracting over 1 million unique viewers.
• Chelsea vs. PSG in the Club World Cup Final was a season-defining moment, drawing a total unique audience of 1,450,954 across SuperSport Premier League, SuperSport La Liga, and SuperSport Grandstand channels, highlighting the growing appetite for high-stakes global club clashes beyond Europe’s traditional competitions.

Supersport’s tiered access packages allowed viewers to follow their favourite leagues and matches in real-time or catch up at their convenience – a critical factor in broadening audience access and deepening loyalty.

Football, Always On

“Football is part of daily life for millions of South Africans,” Selikane adds. “But just as the game is evolving, so too is the way people consume it. Fans are loyal not just to their teams, but to the rhythm of football – they fit it into their routines, their lives, on their terms.”

He concludes: “From grassroots rivalries to the global stage, people are still choosing football – and they’re doing it through platforms and packages that match their needs. For brands, partners, and sponsors who stay connected and informed, the opportunity to reach an always-on, always-passionate audience has never been clearer. And next season, they’ll be right back – watching, supporting, and living the game all over again.”