UEFA European Championship causes shifts in internet traffic across Europe

According to Cloudflare analysts, European football fans watching the UEFA European Championship are causing noticeable changes in internet traffic within their countries. The most significant impact on internet usage was observed during the semi-finals, as fans tuned in to watch key matches. Cloudflare’s analysis, which began on 14 June and will continue until the final on 14 July between Spain and England, highlights how major sporting events broadcast on national TV can influence internet traffic patterns across Europe.

Cloudflare noted that traffic drops were particularly pronounced during critical moments of the matches, such as last-minute goals and penalty shootouts, with Spain and England experiencing significant reductions during the knockout stages. For instance, internet traffic in Spain decreased by 19% at the end of games, while England saw an 11% drop. Other countries, including the Netherlands and France, experienced the largest drops in the first half of the finals, with overall average declines of around 6% across participating nations.

Interestingly, while most nations saw reduced internet usage, some, like Ukraine, Poland, Romania, and Albania, experienced increases, likely due to unstable broadcast signals pushing fans online to watch the games. Despite the popularity of online services for live scores, sports news, and betting, national team football still needs to catch up on regular internet activities. Cloudflare, headquartered in San Francisco, emphasises that understanding these trends can help protect against cyber threats and maintain website availability globally.