South Carolina’s triumph over Iowa in the national championship game on Sunday afternoon not only secured their victory on the court but also set new milestones in women’s college basketball, both in terms of viewership and significance.
According to ESPN’s report on Monday, the broadcast of the game drew an average of 18.7 million TV viewers, marking it as the most-watched basketball game across all levels—college or professional, men’s or women’s—since 2019. Additionally, it stands out as the most-watched sporting event outside of the Olympics or football since 2019.
The peak viewership reached an impressive 24 million as the Gamecocks sealed their undefeated season with an 87-75 victory over Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes, capturing the attention and excitement of fans across the nation.
This remarkable viewership trend for women’s college basketball continued with Iowa’s consecutive games leading up to the championship showdown. The Hawkeyes’ Elite Eight clash against LSU, a rematch of last year’s title game, set a then-record with 9.9 million viewers. The subsequent rematch during the Final Four against powerhouse UConn further escalated the ratings, reaching a staggering 12.3 million viewers.
The culmination of this escalating viewership demonstrates the growing popularity and significance of women’s college basketball, showcasing the sport’s ability to captivate audiences and draw widespread attention across the nation.
