New research from Zen Internet has revealed that one in five UK sports fans have missed key moments watching live sport at home due to internet-related issues.
The survey of 2,000 British adults suggests that almost half (47%) have experienced some form of internet-related problem during major sporting events, with the main complaints being buffering and freezing.
And it’s not just buffering causing connectivity issues when streaming not-to-be-missed sporting moments.
- 2% have had their internet slow down because multiple devices were connected.
- 8% have experienced delays compared with live TV or social media updates.
- 7% have had streaming apps crash or fail to load.
- 6% have suffered poor picture quality or lag.
With live sport increasingly streamed rather than watched through traditional broadcast channels, the reliability of home broadband connections is becoming a growing concern for sports fans.
Around 19.4 million people in the UK watched England’s World Cup quarter-final against France in December 2022, making it one of the most-watched TV broadcasts of the tournament in Britain. Zen also recorded its highest internet traffic peak of that year during the France v Morocco semi-final (December 2022), with network demand reaching 21% above the previous year’s highest peak.
This year, according to Zen’s latest polling, seven in ten Brits say they intend to watch at least some of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, compared to 52% who said the same ahead of the 2022 tournament1.
Around 13-14% will be heading to the pub or public screening to view the live action.
Of those watching matches at home, almost half will rely on the internet and one in seven (14%) will be checking their internet connection before kick-off according to the survey.
Richard Tang, CEO of Zen Internet, comments:
“There are few things more frustrating for sports fans than having a stream freeze just as a goal is scored, a wicket falls or a race reaches a crucial moment. Major sporting events bring millions of people together, but they also place huge demands on home broadband networks as households stream matches across multiple devices at the same time.
“With millions expected to stream FIFA World Cup matches this summer, there are a few simple steps households can take to give themselves the best chance of enjoying uninterrupted coverage.
“If you’re planning to stream a big match, it’s worth checking your connection in advance rather than waiting until kick-off. Make sure your streaming apps and devices are up to date, position your router in the best possible location and, where possible, connect your TV or streaming device directly to your router using an ethernet cable.
“It’s also worth being mindful of what else is happening on your home network. Large downloads, software updates, online gaming and multiple streams running at the same time can all place additional demands on your broadband connection.”
