Nearly half of Canada’s population was glued to their screens for Game 7 of the World Series, as the Toronto Blue Jays fell in heartbreaking fashion to the Los Angeles Dodgers in extra innings. The decisive clash not only captivated the nation north of the border but also drew record-breaking numbers across North America, marking the most-watched Fall Classic game in years.
According to data released by Rogers Sportsnet, an estimated 18.5 million Canadians representing 46% of the country’s population of 40.1 million tuned in for at least part of the game. The audience peaked at 14 million viewers during the bottom of the ninth inning, when the Blue Jays came within inches of winning the championship on home soil.
The average audience of 10.9 million made it the most-watched English-language broadcast in Canadian history outside of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, underscoring the immense national pride and anticipation surrounding the Blue Jays’ first World Series appearance in over three decades.
While Canada rallied behind its home team, audiences in the United States also flocked to their TVs for the dramatic finale. Nielsen’s “fast national” ratings showed an average 25.5 million viewers tuned in to Fox Sports’ coverage making it the most-watched World Series game since 2017, when the Dodgers last played a Game 7, that time against the Houston Astros.
The final American viewership figure is expected to approach 30 million once out-of-home viewing such as watch parties in bars, restaurants, and other public spaces is factored in. Nielsen has been including such metrics in its reporting since 2020 to better reflect modern viewing habits.
Adding to that evolution, Nielsen said it has also implemented a “big data plus panel” measurement system since September, combining data from smart TVs and streaming platforms with its traditional ratings panel. The shift has already boosted reported audiences for major sports broadcasts, including college and professional football, and is likely to elevate the official World Series numbers once finalized.
The Game 7 thriller itself delivered everything baseball fans could hope for tension, drama, and a battle between two storied franchises. After Toronto’s late rally fell short in the ninth inning, the Dodgers clinched the title in the 11th, silencing the Rogers Centre crowd and securing their first championship since 2020.
For Canada, the numbers tell the story of a nation united if only for one night around a team that rekindled memories of baseball glory and brought the country to a collective standstill.