NASCAR’s got a viewership problem brewing for years, and the numbers don’t lie. In 2025, the Cup Series is scraping by with an average of 2.52 million viewers per race, a 13% slide from 2024’s 2.916 million. Playoff races, which used to be the sport’s big draw, are hurting the worst. New Hampshire’s opener pulled just 1.29 million, down 32% from last year. It’s not just a blip; it’s a trend that’s got fans and insiders worried about where NASCAR’s headed when the stands and screens are emptying.
The contrast with other sports stings. The NFL’s still crushing it, averaging 17.5 million per game, while MLB holds steady with strong postseason numbers. NASCAR’s not keeping up, and it’s not just about the competition. Streaming’s exploding, and folks are ditching cable for on-demand vibes. The