New research reveals almost 6 in 10 (59%) football viewers have found out about a goal or key sporting moment before seeing it on their own screen
- During Tuesday night’s England v Ghana game, Hyperoptic network data showed traffic surged by more than 125% from the 7pm pre-match baseline, peaking just before kick-off and reaching its highest point in June so far, following England’s opening win against Croatia.
- 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.
- 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.
- 65% of people who watch major live sport at home say they have done none of the listed broadband-related preparation behaviours around major live sport, such as checking their broadband speed, using mobile data as a back-up or upgrading / considering upgrading broadband ahead of a major live sporting event.
Football fans may be setting their alarm clocks and getting the snacks, drinks and group chats ready before kick-off, but new research from the UK’s largest exclusively full fibre broadband provider, Hyperoptic, suggests many households are not preparing the one thing that could disrupt the match: their home broadband.
The consumer research, which surveyed 2,000 UK adults with home broadband, found that almost 6 in 10 (59%) football fans have found out about a goal or key sporting moment before seeing it on their own screen, whether through nearby cheering, notifications, social media, group chats, or someone else in the house reacting first.
For some, the issue goes beyond spoilers. More than 1 in 10 (11%) have missed a key sporting moment because of buffering, lag or connection issues.
With an average of almost 3 (2.7) internet-connected devices usually in use during major live sporting events at home, households are asking more of their broadband during big live moments. Unsurprisingly, almost a third of fans (29%) say buffering during a goal, penalty or key moment would be one of the most frustrating things to happen during a major match.
Hyperoptic’s network data shows this pressure is already playing out during England fixtures. During Tuesday night’s England v Ghana, traffic surged by more than 125% from the 7pm pre-match baseline, peaking just before kick-off and reaching its highest point in June so far, following England’s opening win against Croatia.
The sharpest surge came during the pre-match build-up, showing how major matches can drive broadband demand before play even starts, as fans get ready to stream, message, scroll and use multiple devices at home.
The research revealed that despite the frustration, over 6 in 10 (65%) who watch major live sport at home say they have done none of the listed broadband-related preparation hacks around major live sport. To help fans reduce the risk of buffering, lag or missed moments during key fixtures, Hyperoptic recommends a simple pre-match broadband warm up:
· Pause large downloads and updates before kick-off: these can all use up bandwidth in the background. Pausing them before the match helps reduce competition with the main stream.
· Check other connections: If another device does not need to be connected during the match, switch it off or disconnect it.
· Keep the router out in the open: Avoid placing the router in a cupboard, behind the TV or close to thick walls or large objects. Keeping it clear and unobstructed can help improve the Wi-Fi signal around the home.
· Use the strongest connection for the main screen: Where possible, make sure the device streaming the match is connected to the strongest Wi-Fi signal, or use a wired connection if available.
· Be mindful of second-screen habits: Social media, food orders, and other streaming can all add to household demand during the match. If the stream is struggling, reducing other online activity can help.
· Reduce spoiler risks: Fans worried about stream delays can turn off goal notifications, avoid live social feeds and ask friends not to post spoilers during key moments.
Mark Bartlett, COO at Hyperoptic, said: “Fans think about the snacks, the drinks, the comfiest spot and the group chat before a big match, but the broadband check is just as important. A frozen picture or delayed stream can mean missing the moment entirely, or finding out what happened from a roar coming from your neighbours, notifications or messages before it appears on your own screen.
“Tuesday night’s England game gave us another reminder of how broadband demand can build before the match even starts. Traffic on our network surged by more than 125% from the 7pm pre-match baseline and reached its highest point in June so far just before kick-off. That’s why the broadband check matters before the first whistle.
Before a big fixture, households should pause large downloads, check what else is connected, keep the router clear and make sure the main screen is using the strongest connection available. These are small steps, but they can really help stop buffering becoming the real matchday spoiler.”
