England v Ghana match sends Hyperoptic traffic up 125%

Broadband traffic on Hyperoptic's network rose by more than 125% during the England v Ghana match, peaking just before kick-off.

Measured against a 7pm pre-match baseline, the jump marked the network's highest traffic point in June so far.

The figures suggest pressure builds on household internet connections before live sport even begins, as viewers stream coverage, follow social media, message friends and use several devices at once. The sharpest rise came during the pre-match build-up rather than during the match itself.

A consumer survey of 2,000 UK adults with home broadband found that 59% of football viewers had learned about a goal or another key sporting moment before seeing it on their own screen. Sources included phone alerts, social media, group chats, reactions from neighbours and responses from others in the same home.

For some households, the issue goes beyond spoilers. The research found that 11% had missed a key sporting moment because of buffering, lag or connection problems.

Nearly a third, or 29%, said buffering during a goal, penalty or another important moment would be among the most frustrating things that could happen during a major match. During major live sporting events at home, an average of 2.7 internet-connected devices are in use in the household at the same time, according to the survey.

Multiple devices

The findings underline how viewing habits have changed around big sporting occasions. Fans increasingly watch matches while scrolling on a second screen, sending messages, placing food orders or checking live reactions online, adding to pressure on home broadband connections.

Hyperoptic found that 65% of people who watch major live sport at home had taken none of the listed steps to prepare their broadband before a major event. Those steps included checking broadband speed, considering an upgrade or using mobile data as a back-up.

The full-fibre broadband provider, which focuses on urban areas, said its network now passes more than 1.9 million homes and has more than 400,000 customers. It operates across 64 towns and cities in the UK.

That footprint gives it a broad view of how entertainment habits affect internet demand in homes. The latest spike around an England fixture suggests national team matches can create concentrated surges in consumer traffic, especially immediately before kick-off as households settle in to watch.

Practical steps

Hyperoptic advised households to pause large downloads and software updates before a match, as these can consume bandwidth in the background. It also urged users to disconnect devices not needed during the game and keep routers in open positions rather than hiding them behind televisions or in cupboards.

Viewers should also make sure the main screen is using the strongest available Wi-Fi signal, or a wired connection where possible. If a stream starts to struggle, reducing second-screen activity may help. Hyperoptic also suggested switching off goal notifications to avoid spoilers if there is a delay.

Mark Bartlett, Chief Operating Officer at Hyperoptic, said: "Fans think about the snacks, the drinks, the comfiest spot and the group chat before a big match, but the broadband check is just as important. A frozen picture or delayed stream can mean missing the moment entirely, or finding out what happened from a roar coming from your neighbours, notifications or messages before it appears on your own screen."

He added: "Tuesday night's England game gave us another reminder of how broadband demand can build before the match even starts. Traffic on our network surged by more than 125% from the 7pm pre-match baseline and reached its highest point in June so far just before kick-off. That's why the broadband check matters before the first whistle. Before a big fixture, households should pause large downloads, check what else is connected, keep the router clear and make sure the main screen is using the strongest connection available. These are small steps, but they can really help stop buffering becoming the real matchday spoiler."