South Carolina’s Victory against Iowa Attracts Record 18.7 Million Viewers
In a stunning turn of events, the viewership numbers for the women’s college basketball national championship game have shattered records. South Carolina’s victory over Iowa captivated a staggering 18.7 million viewers, reaching its peak at 24.7 million. This marks an 89 percent increase from the previous year’s title game and an astounding 285 percent increase from 2022. Not only is this a monumental achievement for women’s college basketball, but it also stands as the most-watched basketball game (men’s or women’s, college or pro) since 2019.
Caitlin Clark, the star player for Iowa, may not have had her fairy tale ending in Cleveland, but her journey and the sport as a whole have garnered unprecedented interest. The national semifinals between Iowa and UConn drew 14.2 million viewers and peaked at 17 million viewers, setting a new viewership record for women’s college basketball that lasted less than 72 hours. The Elite Eight matchup between Iowa and LSU averaged 12.3 million viewers, while the Sweet 16 game against Colorado attracted an average of 6.9 million viewers. Even in earlier rounds, Iowa’s second-round win over West Virginia drew an impressive 4.9 million viewers, previously unheard-of numbers for women’s tournament games.
However, it wasn’t just Iowa and Caitlin Clark who captured the attention of viewers. UConn, a long-standing powerhouse in women’s college basketball, drew significant viewership numbers as well. Their Elite Eight victory over USC attracted 6.7 million viewers, solidifying their status as the sport’s standard bearer. In fact, if not for last year’s championship game, which averaged 9.9 million viewers and peaked at 12.6 million, UConn’s Elite Eight win this year would have surpassed every title game viewership since 1996.
To put the South Carolina-Iowa viewership in perspective, the game outperformed several major sporting events. It exceeded the viewership of every World Series game since Game 7 of the 2019 World Series, every NBA Finals game since Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals, every Daytona 500 since 2008, and every Masters final round since 2001. Moreover, it surpassed all but four college football games in 2023. These figures demonstrate the immense popularity and growing appeal of women’s college basketball.
Looking ahead, Caitlin Clark’s departure to the WNBA, with the league’s draft scheduled for April 15, may impact next year’s NCAA Tournament viewership numbers. It is only natural that her absence will be felt. However, the millions of new viewers who have been introduced to the sport through this tournament will undoubtedly continue to support and follow women’s college basketball in the future. Additionally, increased investment from major networks like ESPN and Fox Sports, who have shown a commitment to showcasing women’s basketball on their platforms, will further propel the sport’s growth.
This tournament has been a turning point for women’s college basketball, signaling a bright future ahead. With record-breaking viewership numbers and heightened interest in the sport, the trajectory is clear—the arrow is pointing upwards. Women’s college basketball has proven that given the opportunity, it can thrive and captivate audiences like never before. As we eagerly anticipate next year’s tournament, it is safe to say that women’s basketball has solidified its place in the spotlight.