NFL Brazil game
Getty
Giant flags of the US and Brazil are displayed on the pitch ahead of the NFL game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers at the Neo Quimica Arena Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on September 5, 2025. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP) (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty Images)
Over 17 million people around the world streamed Friday night’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers on YouTube, the streaming giant announced Monday.
YouTube said its live broadcast from São Paulo, Brazil drew over an average of 17.3 million viewers globally, including 16.2 million in the U.S., according to Nielsen.
The game reached an audience of over 230 countries and territories, according to YouTube.
For comparison, in January 2025, Amazon announced that its third season streaming the NFL’s “Thursday Night Football“ on Prime Video drew an average of 13.2 million U.S. viewers per game during the 2024 season, according to Nielsen. That marked an 11% increase from the prior season’s 11.86 million and a 38% jump from the inaugural 2021 season, which averaged 9.58 million.
Meanwhile on Netflix, its Christmas Day NFL debut delivered big audiences: the Chiefs-Steelers game averaged 30 million global viewers, while Ravens-Texans pulled in 31.3 million. Combined, the two matchups attracted an average of 26.5 million U.S. viewers, based on Nielsen’s Big Data + Panel.
NFL Brazil game
GettySAO PAULO, BRAZIL – SEPTEMBER 05: A general view inside the stadium during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers at Arena Corinthians on September 05, 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
YouTube Premieres Free Global Broadcast with New Personalities
YouTube made history with the first-ever exclusive, global broadcast of an NFL game on Friday. The Chargers defeated the Chiefs 27-21.
YouTube’s broadcast included a wide range of media personalities across different platforms and former players.
Pre-game and post-game shows were hosted by Kay Adams and Peter Overzet, and NFL greats Cam Newton, Derek Carr, Brandon Marshall, and Tyrann Mathieu. YouTube said the pre-game show averaged 2.4 million U.S. viewers and post-game with Adams and Newton averaged 5.9 million U.S. viewers, according to Nielsen.
The broadcast featured brand-new content from top YouTube creators MrBeast, Haley Kalil, Michelle Khare and Marques Brownlee. And Columbian singer KAROL G performed during halftime.
On play-by-play duties was Rich Eisen, while Kurt Warner provided color commentary. From the sideline was Stacey Dales and the booth referee was Terry McAulay. The broadcast was joined by YouTube creator and former kicker Deestroying. René Giraldo and Edgar Lopez led the primary Spanish-language broadcast.
Los Angeles Chargers Pass Offense Looked Good
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert shined in the opener. He effectively ended the game when he scrambled for a first down on 3rd & long in the final minutes. He finished 25-for-34 with 318 yards passing and three touchdowns. He also added 32 yard rushing.
Los Angeles ended a seven-game losing streak to the Chiefs, earning its first victory over them since Sept. 26, 2021, against a team that has ruled the division and conference for nearly ten years.
“It’s monumental,” Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said. “September 5th will go down in some Charger lore, in my opinion. It was a big win.”
Herbert joined exclusive company, becoming only the third quarterback in Chargers history to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in a season opener.
“We knew it was going to be a dogfight, so we showed up today with our best effort,” Herbert said. “It was fun to see.”
Kansas City Chiefs Enter with Receiver Issues and Add More
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was 24-for-39 with 258 yards passing and one touchdown.
“This will be a big lesson for us,” Mahomes said. “They definitely came out with more energy than we did. We got to get better from the start.”
The Chiefs left the game with more receiver issues.
They entered the game short-handed at receiver, with Rashee Rice serving a suspension and rookie Jalen Royals sidelined by a knee injury. And just three snaps in, their depth took another hit when Xavier Worthy collided with Travis Kelce on a third-down pass. Worthy had to be helped off the field and was later ruled out with a right shoulder injury.
The NFL’s second game in South America — following last year’s Packers-Eagles matchup in Week 1 — attracted Brazilian soccer icon Neymar, but pop superstar Taylor Swift, recently engaged to Kelce, was not in attendance.