The second leg of the Champions League semi-final between FC Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain is electrifying soccer fans around the world. According to media reports, Wednesday night’s game could become the most-watched soccer match of the entire season. Streaming provider DAZN is also preparing for a historic rush of viewers
Expectations for the Champions League clash at the Allianz Arena are gigantic, with the portal Touchline reporting that more than 920 million viewers worldwide are expected to watch the second leg between FC Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain
This means that the clash would not only break all previous attendance records for the current season, but would also become the most-watched soccer match of the year
No wonder: the spectacular first leg at the Parc des Princes had already thrilled soccer fans around the globe. In PSG’s wild 5:4 victory, both teams delivered an offensive spectacle at the highest level. The match quickly developed into a true Champions League classic
In Germany, too, the first clash generated historic ratings. According to reports, the broadcast on Prime Video reached more than five million households. In total, more than eight million viewers are said to have watched the match
The focus is now turning to DAZN, which will broadcast the second leg exclusively. Many fans are asking themselves one question in particular: will the streaming platform be able to cope with the expected rush of viewers?
DAZN expects record viewer numbers
According to DAZN, the provider is expecting an absolute record reach, with the quarter-final second leg between FC Bayern and Real Madrid already delivering historic figures
According to DAZN, more than two million viewers watched the game back then – more than ever before on the platform. The streaming service explained: „This match has once again reached a historically high level and, with a total of over two million viewers, is the game with the highest reach on DAZN to date.“
This time, too, the mark is likely to be broken again. DAZN is also relying on technical coverage via the linear TV channel DAZN1, which can be received via Sky receivers or IPTV providers such as Waipu
This gives fans the opportunity to watch the match regardless of potential problems with their internet connection. DAZN1 already achieved strong ratings for the quarter-final against Real Madrid. According to the official figures, around 799,000 net viewers tuned in via the linear channel – also a record figure since measurements began in October 2023
A further 1.3 million fans watched the match in parallel via traditional streaming access
DAZN CEO Alice Mascia was already raving about the first clash between the two European heavyweights: „The first leg was a spectacular soccer masterpiece that will go down in the history books: intense world-class soccer, emotional and full of drama,“ explained the Italian
According to Mascia, the second leg also has the potential to be a historic evening of soccer: „With two top clubs like this, anything is possible, and the second leg at the Allianz Arena has the potential to be one of those unforgettable nights in soccer history that you can’t miss,“ said the DAZN boss
One thing is already clear: the soccer world will be looking to Munich on Wednesday evening.