First XFL Return Game Draws 3.3 Million Viewers

The first game of the relaunched XFL this past Saturday drew 3.3 million viewers on ABC, ESPN said.

The @xfl2020 on ESPN/ABC is off to a strong start! pic.twitter.com/ZjAzmTLmz9

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) February 10, 2020

The game between the Seattle Dragons and DC Defenders kicked off on ABC at 2 PM ET and peaked at around 4 million viewers near the end of the game.

For comparison, the AAF, which folded last year without finishing its first season, drew 2.9 million viewers for its first game on CBS.

The original XFL drew 14 million viewers for its first game in 2001 on NBC, but ratings quickly and significantly tanked after that.

Viewer numbers for the other three games on the opening weekend are not available yet.