What is the most watched television event ever in the United Kingdom?

The 1966 FIFA World Cup Final was the final match in the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth football World Cup and one of the most controversial finals ever. The match was played by England and West Germany on 30 July 1966 at Wembley Stadium in London, and had an attendance of 96,924. The British television audience peaked at 32.30 million viewers, making the final the most watched television event ever in the United Kingdom.

England won 4–2 after extra time to win the Jules Rimet Trophy. The England team became known as the "wingless wonders", on account of their then-unconventional narrow attacking formation, described at the time as a 4–4–2. The match is remembered for England's only World Cup trophy, Geoff Hurst's hat-trick – the first one ever scored in a World Cup Final – and the controversial third goal awarded to England by referee Gottfried Dienst and linesman Tofiq Bahramov.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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17 Comments

Jerry Edwards

John McLardie, As I write this, the date is 20 August 2023. As with you, I live on the other side of a border to Saesneg (England). I come from Wales. Hold on to your hats, folks. England women are about to turn the clocks back 57 years by showing the men how to win a FIFA World Cup.

John McLardie

Being 12, at the time, and Scottish I made sure I was well away from a TV set. Unfortunately we Scots have been hearing about this travesty for 50+ years (it's trotted out every 4 years).

Fred Keogh

Wayne Power, No it wasn't. All figures show the World Cup Final was!

Grant McIntosh

Even my mum watched it....and she hated football and was very very Scottish.

Denise Currie

Thought it would be some Royal event until I saw the 1966 World Cup, then I knew for sure what it was

Joseph A. Robitaille

I was surprised with getting this one right. All the great answers to pick from.

Fred Zeb Fudpucker

Roger Beattie, Tell that to the Chicago Cubs: ("The Chicago Cubs last won the World Series in 1908 when they beat the Detroit Tigers 4 games to 1.")

Ken Jackson

Wayne Power, I don't think that Diana's death was actually televised!! Her funeral was, but the viewing figures show that it came second with 0.2 million fewer viewers.

Ian Swindale

I agree with Wayne Power. The UK came to a stop during the funeral

billyboy915

*To say it was...

billyboy915

Gery Tillmanns, Present tense. The 1966 FIFA World Cup Final IS still the most watched television event ever in the United Kingdom. No other show before or since has had higher viewership. To say is was the most watched television event implies there is now a new record holder.