You're reading: FIFA says 1 billion saw part of World Cup final

ZURICH (AP) — FIFA says 909.6 million television viewers watched at least one minute of the 2010 World Cup final at home, and the ratings likely topped one billion people who saw Spain beat the Netherlands when adding online and public places.

FIFA’s research says 619.7 million people watched 20 consecutive minutes of Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win.

However, the official ratings for football’s biggest match seems to have been beaten by the 2008 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony as the world’s most-watched live event.

FIFA says the "average in-home global audience" was 530.9 million for the final played July 11, 2010, at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium.

The Olympics opening at Bird’s Nest stadium was credited with a 593 million average audience.