South Carolina’s victory over Iowa in the women’s NCAA championship game on Sunday drew a preliminary audience average of 18.7 million viewers on ABC and ESPN, making it the most-watched basketball game since 2019. The only events in the United States to attract a larger TV audience since 2019 have been football, the World Cup, and the Olympics. Nielsen is expected to release final numbers on Tuesday, but the audience numbers are anticipated to increase, with a peak of 24 million viewers during the game.
The game between South Carolina and Iowa marked a significant milestone in women’s college basketball, with the possibility of surpassing the viewership of the men’s final between UConn and Purdue, which was shown on TBS and TNT. The 2015 Final Four game between Wisconsin and Kentucky on TBS is the only college basketball game on cable to have drawn over 18.7 million viewers, averaging 22.63 million. The 2022 men’s final, featuring Kansas and North Carolina, averaged 18.1 million viewers, indicating a strong interest in college basketball among fans.
Caitlin Clark and Iowa have been instrumental in attracting large audiences to women’s college basketball games, with the Hawkeyes’ victories over UConn and LSU drawing significant viewership numbers. Clark, a standout player, noted the audience total for the championship game on social media, indicating the excitement surrounding the event. The audience for the national title game was up 89% from the previous year, showcasing the growing popularity of women’s college basketball and the appeal of top players like Clark on the court.
The last NBA game to draw at least 18 million viewers was Game 6 of the 2019 Finals between the Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors, further highlighting the significance of the women’s NCAA championship game achieving such high viewership numbers. The game also marked the biggest audience for a Sunday afternoon sporting event on ESPN and ABC since January 10, 2021, when an NFL playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans averaged 24.82 million viewers. This demonstrates the broad appeal and interest in women’s college basketball among sports fans across the country.
Overall, the success of the women’s NCAA championship game in drawing a large TV audience is a testament to the growing popularity and visibility of women’s college basketball. With standout players like Caitlin Clark leading the way, the sport is gaining recognition and attracting more viewers than ever before. The increased viewership for this year’s championship game points to a bright future for women’s college basketball and the potential for even greater success in the years to come. As Nielsen releases its final numbers, the impact of this game on the sports world and the continued growth of women’s college basketball will become even more evident.
