Irish mobile data usage surged during the FIFA World Cup Final, with Vodafone Ireland recording a 32% increase in mobile data traffic, compared with an average Sunday evening, as fans across Ireland streamed coverage, checked scores and shared reactions throughout the match.
Since the tournament began, Vodafone Ireland customers generated an additional 995TB of mobile data traffic during World Cup matches – the equivalent to approximately 133,000 hours of 4K video streaming or downloading 187 million songs.
The highest level of network traffic recorded during the tournament was 40% higher than Vodafone’s average daily peak.
Demand extended beyond Ireland’s borders, with Vodafone Ireland roaming customers recording a peak 39% increase in mobile data usage during the England – Argentina match.
The FIFA World Cup, which ran from 11th June to 19th July and featured an expanded format of 104 matches across 48 teams, generated sustained demand on Vodafone’s network, with each knockout-stage fixture delivering new traffic peaks.
The figures highlight how major live sporting events continue to drive significant increases in mobile data usage, and the growing need for reliable connectivity, as sports fans stream matches, follow live updates and share content in real time.
This trend is also mirrored by broader viewing habits, with RTÉ reporting that the RTÉ Player registered more than 23 million streams during this year’s World Cup, compared with 8.5 million streams during the 2022 tournament, highlighting the increasing volume of digital traffic generated during major live events.
Sheila Kavanagh, Network Director at Vodafone Ireland, said:
“The FIFA World Cup Final was one of the busiest moments on our network this year, with customers across Ireland and abroad streaming coverage, sharing reactions and staying connected throughout the match.
“The sustained increase in traffic we saw across the tournament highlights how quickly data consumption continues to grow. That’s why ongoing investment in network capacity and resilience remains so important, ensuring customers can rely on fast and reliable connectivity wherever they are.”
The findings come as Vodafone Ireland continues to invest in Ireland’s digital infrastructure, including a recently announced €360 million programme, with €200 million dedicated to its mobile network. The investment will support continued network upgrades and additional capacity, ensuring Vodafone remains ready to meet growing demand during major sporting events, live entertainment moments and everyday connectivity needs across Ireland.