Network 10 Breaks Records with F1 and Matildas Ratings Surge

Network 10 has cemented its status as a premier sports broadcaster, delivering a massive weekend of viewership fueled by the 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Despite heartbreak on the track for local fans, the network reached millions of Australians, capitalising on the high-stakes debut of F1’s new technical era and the Matildas’ record-breaking home campaign.

F1 Viewership Peaks Despite Piastri Crash

The 2026 season-opener at Albert Park drew immense interest, with Network 10’s coverage reaching a peak of 1,796,000 viewers during the race.

Fans tuned in to see Australian racer, Oscar Piastri start from fifth on the grid, though a crash prior to the warm-up lap saw nearly half the audience drop away, with just under 1,000,000 viewers remaining to watch George Russell lead a Mercedes 1-2 finish.

Across the entire four-day event, Network 10 reached a total of 3.7 million Australians, a result Adam Cush, 10’s Sports Production Director, labeled as an exceptional start to a new chapter for the sport. This coincided with a record-shattering live crowd of 483,934 at the venue, reinforcing F1’s major event status in the country.

Matildas Make History in Sydney

The momentum shifted to the pitch on Sunday evening as the Matildas played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against South Korea at Stadium Australia.

The match secured Network 10’s highest-ever audience for an AFC Women’s Asian Cup fixture, achieving a total national reach of 1,575,000 and a national average audience of 722,000.

Weekend Ratings Performance:

Key Statistics Network 10’s weekend was defined by its dual-sport success, reaching 3.7 million people during the Australian Grand Prix and peaking at 1.79 million for the race itself.

The AFC Women’s Asian Cup coverage followed with a reach of 1.57 million and an average audience of 722,000.

However, the sports broadcasts faced stiff competition from Nine’s Married At First Sight, which dominated the Sunday night slot with a reach of 3,075,000 and an average audience of 1,905,000. On Saturday, Seven’s Better Homes and Gardens also managed to edge out the F1 qualifying session in the ratings battle.

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