⚽️ Qualified for the Quarterfinals of the World Cup
Qualified:
1. Morocco 🇲🇦
2. France 🇫🇷
3. Spain 🇪🇸
4. Belgium 🇧🇪
5. Norway 🇳🇴
6. England 🏴
7. Argentina 🇦🇷
8. Switzerland 🇨🇭
@dailystats
World Cup viewing habits: CASE survey results | The Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/5-of-over-700-polled-in-case-survey-pay-to-watch-2026-world-cup-almost-half-watch-free-telecasts
The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) survey reveals insights into how Singaporean fans are tuning in to the 2026 World Cup (running from June 11 to July 19, 2026).
The results show that the vast majority of viewers are choosing free options, largely driven by a significant increase in free-to-air match broadcasts. Here are the full details from the report:
### How Fans Are Watching (Over 700 Polled)
* **45% watch via free-to-air options:** The largest group of viewers are tuning in for free through platforms like Mediacorp (Channel 5 and mewatch).
* **22% watch via social media/online clips:** Many are bypassing full broadcasts entirely to follow the tournament via short clips.
* **5% pay for a subscription:** Only a tiny fraction of respondents opted to buy the full tournament package.
* **28% other/not specified:** The remaining portion of respondents either watch at public spaces (like community clubs or Lau Pat Sat) or do not watch.
### Viewing Frequency
* **39%** watch only match highlights.
* **26%** watch some matches.
* **6%** watch the games regularly.
*(Note: Matches are kicking off between midnight and noon Singapore time due to host countries USA, Canada, and Mexico, impacting live viewership.)*
### Public Sentiments on Pricing
The subscription price for the full 2026 tournament package is **$118** (available via mewatch, Singtel, and StarHub). This is the exact same standard price as the 2022 World Cup.
When asked if this $118 price tag is reasonable:
* **49%** of respondents feel neutral about the price.
* **40%** disagree or strongly disagree, finding it unreasonable.
### Why Free Viewership Sparked
CASE President Melvin Yong noted that the shift toward free alternatives is because fans have much better free options this year. Mediacorp significantly bumped up its free coverage, broadcasting **28 matches for free** in 2026, up from just 9 free matches in 2022. This helpfully offsets the fact that the expanded 2026 tournament features a record 48 teams and 104 total matches (up from 64 matches previously).
### Historical Context of Singapore World Cup Subscriptions
The standard pricing of the World Cup packages has largely stabilized over the last few editions, but it represents a steep climb from over a decade ago:
* **2026:** $118
* **2022:** $118
* **2018:** $112.35
* **2014:** $112.35
* **2010:** $94 *(Which was notably more than six times what was charged for the 2006 tournament)*
> **CASE Consumer Advice:** Before signing up for any paid packages, consumers are urged to compare available plans, carefully check the subscription terms and conditions, and watch out for automatic renewal clauses to avoid hidden or unnecessary costs.
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