New research from Hyperoptic reveals how fans are planning to watch football at home this summer, as the provider tracks how live sport affects broadband demand.
- During the first fixture of this year’s tournament, peak traffic was around 10% higher than a typical Wednesday evening, with demand peaking at approximately 9:15pm, 30 minutes later than usual.
- Over 1 in 4 (29%) of UK adults with home broadband say buffering during a goal, penalty, or key moment would be one of the most frustrating things to happen during a major match.
- Around 3 in 5 football viewers have found out about a goal or key sporting moment before seeing it on their own screen.
- A third of football viewers message friends or family while watching live football, while 29% scroll social media.
- As fans prepare for a summer of live sport, Hyperoptic is sharing advice to help fans avoid buffering and stay connected during key moments.
LONDON, UK – 17 JUNE 2026 – For fans watching this summer’s international football tournament, the matchday experience is no longer just about what happens on the pitch. It is also about whether the stream holds up, whether a phone notification gives away the score, and how many other devices are competing for bandwidth at home.
Hyperoptic, the UK’s largest exclusively full fibre broadband provider, recorded peak network traffic around 10% higher than a typical Wednesday eveningduring the opening fixture of this summer’s international football tournament, as millions of fans tuned in from home.
Hyperoptic’s usual evening peak typically falls between 9pm and 10pm. During the first fixture of the tournament, demand peaked at approximately 9:15pm, around 30 minutes later than usual. Hyperoptic will continue to track how demand develops across further fixtures, including whether England games and later knockout matches drive stronger peaks or shift the usual evening pattern.
New research from Hyperoptic suggests the trend is set to continue throughout the tournament.
According to the survey of 2,000 UK adults with home broadband, 3 in 5 (60%) plan to watch this summer’s football tournament. Among these, almost 9 in 10 (86%) expect to watch most matches at home.
For fans watching from the sofa, the biggest frustrations are not just what happens on the pitch, but what happens on the screen. Over one in four (29%) UK adults with home broadband say buffering during a goal, penalty, or key moment would be one of the most frustrating things to happen during a major match. And for some, that frustration has already become a reality, with over 1 in 10 (11%) saying they have missed a key sporting moment because of buffering, lag or connection issues.
The research also points to the risk of live sport spoilers, with around 3 in 5 football viewers having found out about a goal or key sporting moment before seeing it on their own screen. The findings suggest football is increasingly a second-screen experience, with a third of football viewers messaging friends or family while watching live football, and 29% scrolling social media.
During major live sporting events at home, an average of 2.7 internet-connected devices are usually in use in the household at the same time, underlining the pressure placed on home broadband during major sporting moments.
Mark Bartlett, COO at Hyperoptic, said: “This summer is a big moment for football, and millions of people will be watching, reacting and connecting at the same time. With so many fans planning to watch from home, broadband is a central part of the matchday experience. A delayed stream, frozen picture or spoiler can take fans out of the moment in seconds.
“For households watching live sport, a few simple steps can make a real difference to the viewing experience. Streaming over a reliable Wi-Fi connection, avoiding large downloads during key matches and being mindful of how many devices are using bandwidth at the same time can all help reduce the risk of buffering or delays.”
