Record-breaking viewership for TSN.
Canada's dominant World Cup win against Qatar sets new television ratings record for TSN.
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Canada's 6-0 demolition of Qatar at Vancouver's BC Place on June 18 shattered Canadian TV records, drawing an average audience of 5.3 million viewers across TSN, CTV, RDS, and other Bell Media platforms, according to TSN. It was the most-watched World Cup group stage match ever in Canada — and the nation's first-ever Men's World Cup win.
In total, 11.7 million unique viewers — roughly 30% of Canada's entire population — tuned in for at least part of the match, Bell Media reported. That is a 34% jump over Canada's second group match at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Viewership peaked at 7.3 million at 8:01 PM ET during post-game coverage.
Jonathan David's Hat-Trick Sparked a Nation
Canada forward Jonathan David scored a historic hat-trick and was named Player of the Match. The win was built on tactical pressure. Head Coach Jesse Marsch deployed a high-press system that overwhelmed Qatar, and a red card against Qatar's Homam Ahmed opened the floodgates, according to FOX Sports. The stadium's noise reached 149 decibels, with 52,497 fans packed into BC Place.
The victory came with a cost. Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a severe leg injury in the 51st minute and was stretchered off the field. He later underwent surgery, according to CBC Sports. David addressed the loss of his teammate after the match: "He means everything to this team... it was a difficult moment. But we have to stay strong for him."
A Record-Breaking Night for TSN and Bell Media
TSN holds exclusive Canadian rights to all 104 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches. The Canada-Qatar game was their biggest test yet — and the numbers delivered. Live streaming on Bell Media platforms more than doubled compared to 2022, Bell Media reported. Shawn Redmond, VP of Bell Media Sports, called it a "landmark moment for soccer in Canada," crediting fans for engaging in "extraordinary numbers" across broadcast and social platforms.
For context, Canada's opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12 drew 3.2 million average viewers, according to TSN. The Qatar blowout more than tripled that peak. Even the Stanley Cup Final this year drew only 1.8 million viewers, according to Calgary Herald — less than Canada's World Cup opener alone.
Canada Now Leads Group B Heading Into Switzerland Match
With 4 points and a +6 goal differential, Canada sits at the top of Group B. Their final group match is against Switzerland on June 24 in Vancouver. A win or draw would clinch first place in the group, according to Vancouver Sun. Finishing first means Canada's Round of 32 match stays in Vancouver on July 2, giving the team a seven-day rest and home-crowd advantage.
The Switzerland match is expected to push viewership even higher. Prime Minister Mark Carney, who watched the Qatar game live at BC Place alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino, called the 6-0 win a "small earthquake across the nation," according to Toronto Sun. The Koné injury has also deepened public emotional investment in the team heading into the knockout rounds.
World Cup's $1 Billion Economic Promise Faces Scrutiny
The B.C. government projects the seven Vancouver World Cup matches will generate $1 billion in GDP over five years. But not everyone buys that number. Economist Moshe Lander of Concordia University calls such projections "fiction," according to National Post. Canada's Parliamentary Budget Officer estimated total government support for the tournament at $1.066 billion — roughly $82 million per hosted game.
Researchers at the Future of Sport Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University suggest Canada historically sees lower returns on mega-events than other host nations. Still, the ratings surge gives Bell Media a clear short-term win. Whether soccer's momentum outlasts the tournament remains the bigger question for Canada's sports media landscape.
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