Falling Ratings and Frustrated Fans: The Ryder Cup’s U.S. Problem

By: Sam Heller

November 3, 2025

Photo Credit: Associated Press

A Troubled Recap for the Ryder Cup

The 2025 Ryder Cup, held at Bethpage Black Golf Course in New York, marked a dramatic moment for European golf as Team Europe edged out Team USA 15–13. Even though the competition delivered a tight finish, underlying issues still loomed. U.S. viewership on broadcast networks hit a record low, the outcome reinforced a pattern of one-sided results, and the television coverage drew widespread criticism for commercial overload and technical issues. For the stakeholders, whether players, broadcasters, sponsors, or fans, the questions are clear: will the Ryder Cup reverse its slump in the U.S. market, or will it continue to drift off course?

From Ratings Slide to Broadcast Breakdown

The final day of the 2025 event averaged just 3.22 million viewers across NBC Universal and Peacock in the U.S., the lowest figure for a U.S.-hosted Ryder Cup in over two decades. The audience peak came between 5:00-5:15 p.m. ET, at around 5.3 million viewers, when the U.S. put together a late rally. The broader trend shows that the tournament is losing traction in its home market, even as global interest remains solid. The decline in interest won’t go unnoticed by media-rights holders and sponsors alike.

Repeating Patterns: Lopsided Scores and Predictable Outcomes

Team Europe’s win by two points may look close on paper, but the competition followed a familiar theme. Since Europe built a large early lead (11.5-4.5 heading into Sunday), a U.S win never appeared to be in the cards. The Ryder Cup has not been decided by fewer than five points since Europe’s 2012 comeback win. When outcomes feel inevitable, viewer interest drops. Predictability reduces excitement, and audiences will tune out. For major events like this, maintaining an element of suspense is crucial to overall viewership.

Broadcast Frustration: Ads, Missed Action, Technical Flaws

Fans were vocal about the poor broadcast experience throughout the event in 2025. Coverage on NBC and USA Network drew heavy criticism for its excessive commercial breaks, missed shots, and technical issues. One report found that nearly 19 minutes of the first hour of Friday’s coverage were advertisements. Viewers expressed frustration across social media, with one fan writing that it was “the worst coverage I’ve ever seen” and another saying the network was “missing shots left and right.” Others complained that “the sound and video are off” and that the telecast felt “like commercials with a little golf mixed in.” When fans feel they are missing key moments, the broadcast experience becomes an obstacle rather than an asset for one of golf’s biggest events.

Global Contrast: Growth Abroad, Decline at Home

While the U.S. ratings struggled, the event performed strongly overseas. In the UK, the 2025 coverage on Sky Sports recorded a 45% increase in average viewers over 2023 and drew more than one in four viewers during Sunday’s finale. The result shows that while the Ryder Cup continues to resonate globally, its connection with the U.S. audience is struggling, which is an issue considering the event is anchored by a U.S.-Europe rivalry. 

What’s at Stake: Players, Sponsors, and the Event’s Value

Declining U.S. engagement undermines the negotiating power of broadcasters and sponsors. If viewers abandon the event or feel frustrated by coverage, the value proposition for advertisers drops, which could cause long-term growth risks for the event. The event’s prestige for players, teams, and fans also suffers with technical mishaps and weak broadcast experiences.

What Happens Next?

• Change the format or pairing strategies to sustain closer competition and avoid runaway leads

• Improve broadcast presentation: fewer ad breaks, better live coverage of all matches, and stronger technical production

• Expand streamed and digital options to attract younger and international fans and make access easier

• Re-prioritize U.S. audience engagement through fan experiences, storytelling, and build-up media campaigns

• Leverage the strong global numbers while shoring up the U.S. base so the event remains a draw on both sides of the Atlantic

The 2025 Ryder Cup delivered drama and a memorable outcome for Europe, but the event also highlighted structural issues such as declining U.S. viewership, perceived broadcast failures, and competitive imbalance. Without addressing these issues, the next Ryder Cup risks further diminishment of its relevance in the U.S. and value for all stakeholders.