This week’s Champions League matches produced the competition’s highest viewing figures for three years, UEFA have revealed.
The four quarter-final second-leg matches on Tuesday and Wednesday saw viewing figures in the six major television markets reach 62 million – the highest figures for over three years.
In Spain, a seasonal high of 8.1 million viewers watched Real Madrid’s epic encounter with Manchester United, while, in the UnitedKingdom, the game attracted 10.6 million viewers (44.9 per cent market share) – the highest Champions League audience since the same teams met in 1999-2000.
In Italy, there were two exceptional Canale 5 attracted 9.4 million viewers for the thriller in the San Siro between Milan and Ajax – the biggest audience in Italy since the 1998-99 semi-finals.
Tuesday’s match bewteen Barcelona and Juventus was watched by 8.1 million viewers in Italy and 7 million in Spain.
“This week has confirmedwhat a fantastic competition the UEFA Champions League is,” said UEFA communications and public affairs director Mike Lee.
“We have seen some amazing football and tremendous goals, and the matches have been watched by millions of fans. The supporters have shown their appreciation in the stadium and in front of their televisions. This has been a great advert for European football.”
