How many people watch the WNBA? Even before the arrival of Caitlin Clark, the popularity of women’s college basketball was steadily on the rise. After being drafted with the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever, Clark is going to provide a massive boost to WNBA TV ratings in 2024 and beyond.
We witnessed the effect Clark had on college basketball TV ratings, with the women’s NCAA Tournament and Final Four setting all-time records. Clark is just the first of several women’s college basketball superstars who should be bringing an even bigger audience with them to the WNBA in the years to come.
Here are the WNBA TV ratings for the 2024 season. Further below, you can find numbers for the WNBA Draft and the 2023 season.
WNBA playoff TV ratings at an all-time high
In her first game in the WNBA playoffs, Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark helped generate 1.84 million viewers for Game 1 against the Connecticut Sun, the most-watched WNBA playoffs game since the 2000 WNBA Finals. A few days later, in an elimination game between the Fever vs Sun, ESN averaged 2.54 million viewers for the most-watched WNBA game since 2000.
The WNBA TV ratings for playoff games are taking a small hit, matched up with NFL games on Sunday, but the league is still seeing its popularity grow elsewhere. Game 2 of the Phoenix Mercury vs Minnesota Lynx averaged 1.22 million viewers for ESPN while Game 2 for the Seattle Storm vs Las Vegas Aces (988,000) and the Atlanta Dream vs New York Liberty (863,000) averaged over 850,000 viewers.
Most watched WNBA games 2024
Here are the most-watched WNBA games in 2024.
| Game (Network) | Avg. Viewers |
|---|---|
| September 25 – Indiana Fever @ Connecticut Sun (ESPN) | 2.54 million |
| June 23 – Indiana Fever @ Chicago Sky (ESPN) | 2.302 million |
| June 16 – Chicago Sky @ Indiana Fever (CBS) | 2.25 million |
| Aug. 18 – Seattle Storm @ Indiana Fever (ABC) | 2.232 million |
| May 14 – Indiana Fever @ Connecticut Sun (ESPN2) | 2.12 million |
| June 30 – Indiana Fever @ Phoenix Mercury (ESPN) | 1.93 million |
| July 6 – New York Liberty @ Indiana Fever (CBS) | 1.87 million |
| September 22 – Indiana Fever @ Connecticut Sun (ABC) | 1.8 million |
| May 18 – Indiana Fever @ New York Liberty (ABC) | 1.71 million |
| July 17 – Indiana Fever @ Dallas Wings (ESPN) | 1.70 million |
| Aug. 30 – Indiana Fever @ Chicago Sky (ION) | 1.6 million |
| July 15 – Indiana Fever @ Minnesota Lynx (ESPN) | 1.57 million |
| May 20 – Connecticut Sun @ Indiana Fever (ESPN) | 1.56 million |
| June 1- Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever (ESPN) | 1.53 million |
| July 2 – Indiana Fever vs Las Vegas Aces (ESPN) | 1.45 million |
| July 12 – Indiana Fever vs Phoenix Mercury (ION) | 1.34 million |
| May 18 – Los Angeles Sparks @ Las Vegas Aces (ABC) | 1.34 million |
| Sept. 6 – Minnesota Lynx @ Indiana Fever (ION) | 1.26 million |
| Sept. 24 – Phoenix Mercury @ Minnesota Lynx (ESPN) | 1.22 million |
| Aug. 16 – Phoenix Mercury @ Indiana Fever (ION) | 1.22 million |
| Aug. 25 – Las Vegas Aces @ Chicago Sky (CBS) | 1.22 million |
| Sept. 13 – Las Vegas Aces @ Indiana Fever (ION) | 1.2 million |
| June 21 – Indiana Fever @ Atlanta Dream (ION) | 1.18 million |
| June 7 – Indiana Fever @ Washington Mystics (ION) | 1.023 million |
| July 14 – Phoenix Mercury @ Connecticut Sun (ABC) | 1.02 million |
| Sept. 24 – Seattle Storm @ Las Vegas Aces (ESPN) | 988,000 |
| June 8 – New York Liberty @ Connecticut Sun (ABC) | 962,000 |
| Sept. 24 – Atlanta Dream @ New York Liberty (ESPN) | 863,000 |
| May 24 – Indiana Fever @ Los Angeles Sparks (ION) | 724,000 |
| May 25 – New York Liberty @ Minnesota Lynx (CBS) | 704,000 |
| Sept. 11 – Las Vegas Aces @ Indiana Fever (NBA TV) | 678,000 |
| Sept. 1- Indiana Fever @ Dallas Wings (NBA TV) | 652,000 |
| Aug. 26 – Indiana Fever @ Atlanta Dream (NBA TV) | 617,000 |
| Aug. 28 – Connecticut Sun @ Indiana Fever (NBA TV) | 580,000 |
| Aug. 24 – Indiana Fever @ Minnesota Lynx (NBA TV) | 569,000 |
| Sept. 6 – Los Angeles Sparks @ Chicago Sky (ION) | 514,000 |
| June 19 – Indiana Fever @ Washington Mystics (NBA TV) | 460,000 |
| June 2 – Indiana Fever @ New York Liberty (NBA TV) | 430,000 |
| May 28 – Los Angeles Sparks @ Indiana Fever (NBA TV) | 356,000 |
ESPN, ION, NBA TV see massive growth in WNBA TV ratings
The WNBA and its broadcasting partners knew the Caitlin Clark effect would have a massive influence on television ratings, marketing and interest in 2024. Even the companies’ grandest expectations were likely exceeded this season.
- WNBA TV ratings on ESPN: 1.2 million average viewers per broadcast (170 percent increase).
ESPN drew a 170 percent increase in its TV ratings for WNBA games, with viewership increasing from a relatively high mark last season (454,000) to over 1.2 million average viewers in 2024.
- WNBA TV ratings on ION: 23.37 million unique viewers total, 133% TV ratings increase from 2023
Likewise, ION achieved 7 broadcasts averaging over 1 million viewers for one of the strongest years ever on the network. ION’s TV ratings for the WNBA increased by 133 percent, a growth that is matched by other networks.
In total, 23 WNBA games this season broadcasted across cable networks averaged at least 1 million viewers per broadcast which is the league’s highest mark.
Caitlin Clark helping WNBA TV ratings amid NFL’s return
The WNBA took full advantage of the NFL being away for months, with rookies Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark outdrawing some primetime MLB games. Unsurprisingly, the NFL is now dominating the television ratings, but the “Caitlin Clark effect” is still on display.
On Friday, September 6, while many were focused on the NFL game in Brazil, a battle between the Minnesota Lynx and Indiana Fever averaged 1.26 million viewers on ION, giving the network another WNBA game with more than 1 million average viewers this season. With the Fever making the WNBA playoffs, we’ll likely see record-setting TV ratings there as well.
Indiana Fever headline strong WNBA ratings to open second half
Returning from the Olympic Break, the buzz surrounding Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever carried over into their return to the court for the second half of the WNBA regular season. With Clark battling for Rookie of the Year and the Fever in the playoff picture, Indiana was put on national TV for an Aug. 18 matchup at home against the Seattle Storm.
Clark helped deliver the win and ABC averaged 2.232 million viewers across the entire broadcast, making it one of the most-watched WNBA games in 2024. In addition, the Fever’s second-half opener against the Phoenix Mercury on ION television averaged 1.22 million viewers, making it the second-ost watched WNBA game in ION’s history. It marked a 324 percent increase over the prior season’s matchup on ION.
WNBA All-Star Game TV ratings set records
Weeks after an uproar over Caitlin Clark not being named to Team USA, the Indiana Fever rookie and her fellow stars received overwhelming support for the WNBA All-Star Game. In a matchup between WNBA All-Stars and the United States women’s basketball team, TV ratings were shattered.
The 2024 WNBA All-Star Game averaged 3.4 million viewers on ABC, making it the most-watched All-Star event in league history. For context, the TV ratings for the game were 300 percent higher than the viewership for the 2023 All-Star Game. Even more remarkable, it nearly tripled the league’s previous record set in 2003.
Just as importantly for the WNBA, it was the league’s most-watched broadcast since the 1997 season. Clark’s arrival paired with the spotlight put on other top women’s basketball players has brought the WNBA to new highs. It also helped generate a historic TV rights deal worth $2.2 billion over 11 years.
WNBA TV ratings explode in first half of 2024 season
The anticipation the WNBA expected from fans for Caitlin Clark’s arrival was high, with the league banking on the basketball sensation leading to skyrocketing TV ratings. If the first half of the regular season is a sign of things to come, even the WNBA greatly underrated the “Caitlin Clark effect” for its business.
In the first half of the WNBA season, 16 games averaged over 1 million viewers. It’s the most games to surpass 1 million viewers in WNBA history, coming well before the season even ends. Of those 16 games, Clark and the Indiana Fever played in 14 of them. While the likes of Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese and Las Vegas Aces’ WNBA front-runner A’ja Wilson are also very responsible for the WNBA’s growth, the TV ratings explosion is largely a credit to Clark and the interest surrounding her.
The most recent matchup between the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty, which saw Caitlin Clark become the first rookie to record a triple-double, averaged 1.87 million viewers on CBS. It was the fifth-most-watched WNBA game in 2024. Furthermore, per Richard Deitsch, it marked the 12th WNBA game this season to average over 1 million viewers. That ties the WNBA’s 1997 season for the most games with 1-plus million viewers.
The Fever have back-to-back games on ESPN against the Minnesota Lynx (July 14 at 4:00 PM EDT) and against the Dallas Wings (July 17 at 7:30 PM EDT). Based on recent history, both of those games will eclipse 1 million viewers and push WNBA TV ratings averages to their highest mark in over 20 years.
WNBA ratings on record-breaking pace in 2024
ESPN has been airing more WNBA games early in the summer, with Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever recently being on national TV twice within a few days. Unsurprisingly, it’s also resulted in more outstanding TV ratings for the WNBA.
Each of Indiana’s last two games on ESPN (Fever vs Mercury and Fever vs Aces) averaged over 1 million viewers on ESPN. This season, 11 games have drawn over 1 million viewers. As noted by Sports Media Watch, that’s the highest figure for the WNBA in more than two decades (2002).
Indiana lays the New York Liberty on Saturday on CBS and will be on ESPN twice (July 14 and 17) along with ABC (August 18) in the weeks to come.
Angel Reese, Caitlin Clark make WNBA history again
The Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky faced off for the third time in June with a Sunday afternoon matchup in front of a sold-out crowd. One of the best WNBA games of the 2024 season showcased Reese and Clark at their best. it was also the most-watched WNBA game in over 20 years.
The June 23 matchup between the Fever and Sky averaged 2.3 million viewers on ESPN, making it the most-watched WNBA game in Disney’s history. While the audience still doesn’t crack the 10 most-watched WNBA games ever, the WNBA has now already had more games average over 2 million viewers this year than did it in the last four seasons.
ION, NBA TV, CBS, ESPN all enjoying historic TV ratings for WNBA games
The WNBA’s current TV rights contracts with its broadcasting partners won’t end until 2025. While that means the league can’t currently cash in on its growth in popularity, all of its broadcasting partners are experiencing significant growth in 2024.
ION, which is in its second season as a broadcasting partner, has experienced a 51 percent increase in household viewership. The network enjoyed a record-breaker on June 7, when the Indiana Fever vs Washington Mystics matchup averaged 1.02 million viewers.
NBA TV is experiencing a 346 percent growth from its viewership numbers a year ago, per SportsMediaWatch.com. WNBA games on NBA TV in 2024 are averaging 241,000, whereas a year ago, the network averaged 46,000 per game.
CBS also recently had its highest-rated WNBA games in 23 years and ESPN’s upcoming broadcast of the Indiana Fever vs Chicago Sky, the third meeting between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, is expected to be one of the most-watched WNBA games in the last 25 years.
CBS draws largest WNBA audience in decades for Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese
CBS drew the highly-anticipated rematch between Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese in a battle between the Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky. The Fever drew a sold-out crowd to the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, while CBS averaged the highest WNBA TV ratings in more than 20 years.
The broadcast averaged 2.25 million viewers, peaking with 3 million viewers during the heat of the game. It’s the highest-rated WNBA game in 23 years and represents a 225 percent viewership increase from a comparable matchup in the same window last year. Furthermore, per CBS, it was the most-streamed WNBA game ever.
WNBA ratings continue to climb
The arrival of Clark paired with the year-to-year growth in popularity of the WNBA is leading to the league’s best TV ratings in decades. Following the first full month of the 2024 season, the WNBA announced that games on ANBC, ESPN, ESPN2, CBS, ION and NBA TV averaged 1.32 million viewers, almost tripling the totals from the 2023 season.
- WNBA TV ratings 2024: 1.32 million average viewers
- WNBA TV ratings (2023): 462,000 average viewers
Furthermore, attendance is at its highest point in nearly 30 years with the Indiana Fever leading the league and multiple teams averaging over 10,000 fans per game. Of note, per the WNBA, it’s also seen a wider demographic audience than before, with a 96 percent increase in Hispanic viewers and a 67 percent spike in Black viewers.
Chicago Sky-Indiana Fever draws huge audience
Even before Chennedy Carter’s cheap shot on Caitlin Clark in Saturday’s game between the Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever, sports fans were hooked on the matchup on ESPN. The broadcast averaged 1.5 million viewers on June 1, making it the fourth most-watched WNBA game in the last 22 years.
Considering what came out of that game, WNBA TV ratings could climb even higher. As for a rematch between the Sky vs Fever, that will come on Sunday, June 16 at 12:00 PM ET with the matchup on CBS. We’ll just say it now, that will be the most-watched WNBA game on CBS in decades and could challenge for 2 million viewers.
WNBA TV ratings continue to climb
Caitlin Clark continues to get much-deserved credit for the huge boom the WNBA and its broadcasting partners are seeing in television ratings this year. However, there are still some huge audiences for matchups even when she’s not involved.
A matchup between the New York Liberty vs Minnesota Lynx on May 24 averaged 704,000 viewers on CBS. It was the most-watched WNBA game ever on CBS. Speaking of record-breaking TV ratings, ION averaged 724,00 viewers for its broadcast of the Indiana Fever vs Los Angeles Sparks. A partner with the WNBA for the last two seasons, it was the most-watched game ever for ION>
Are WNBA ratings up?
WNBA TV ratings have skyrocketed in the 2024 season. ABC announced it had its most-viewed opening weekend doubleheader ever, with two games combining to average 1.5 million viewers. That marks a 143 percent increase from a WNBA doubleheader on ABC a year ago.
The WNBA has already had four games averaging over 1.3 million viewers this season across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. These are the most-watched WNBA games in over two decades.
ESPN, ABC pull huge numbers
It should come as no surprise that there was a bit of a drop-off in the WNBA TV ratings following Clark’s debut with the Indiana Fever. However, her continued presence on the court is still delivering ratings gold for ESPN and ABC this season.
Saturday’s Fever vs New York Liberty game averaged 1.71 million viewers with a 1.1 rating for ABC’s broadcast in the afternoon. It ranks as the second most-watched WNBA game in the last 22 seasons, only behind Clark’s WNBA debut earlier in the week.
Days later, ESPN’s broadcast of the rematch between the Fever and Connecticut Sun on Monday night averaged 1.56 million viewers for ESPN. Giving that some perspective, ESPN’s broadcast of Game 7 between the Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference Semifinals of the NHL Playoffs averaged 1.66 million viewers.
Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever debut delivers most-watched WNBA game in 23 years
According to CNBC’s Matt Marshall, Caitlin Clark’s WNBA debut drew 2.11 million viewers on ESPN2 in the Indiana Fever’s 92-71 loss to the Connecticut Sun.
Not only did Clark’s debut bring in more viewers than ESPN’s NHL Playoffs (1.99 million), it was the most-watched WNBA game since 2001 (Sparks-Comets on NBC), delivering the league’s top audience ever recorded on cable networks.
The 2024 WNBA Draft drew 2.446 million viewers to ESPN on Monday night, making it the most-watched draft in WNBA history.
- 2024 WNBA Draft viewership: 2.446 million
In comparison, the 2023 WNBA Draft averaged 572,000 viewers on ESPN, which was a 42 percent increase and previously the most-watched WNBA Draft since 2006. The “Clark effect” has already benefitted the WNBA before the Fever’s newest star even takes the court. It also highlights why the Fever will have 36 of their 40 games on national television in 2024.
WNBA Finals 2023 drew highest ratings in decades
The WNBA’s popularity was already on the rise before Clark’s arrival. The power of two superteams – Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty – brought a new wave of fans to women’s pro basketball. When the highly-anticipated WNBA Finals matchup between the Liberty vs Aces arrived, fans tuned in.
Breaking it down game-by-game, Game 1 of the 2023 WNBA Finals saw an 18 percent increase year-over-year and Game 3 was the most-watched Game 3 in 18 years, per the Sports Business Journal. Through the first three games of the series, the WNBA Finals had experienced a 20-year high. Game 4 was the most-watched in WNBA Finals history, closing off the season in historic fashion.
WNBA Finals ratings 2023
- Game 1: 729,000 avg. viewers – ABC – 18% increase from 2022
- Game 2: 680,00 avg. viewers – ESPN –
- Game 3: 659,000 avg. viewers – ABC – 14% increase from 2022
- Game 4: 889,000 avg. viewers
- 2023 WNBA Finals: 36 percent increase from 2022
Related: Caitlin Clark salary, details on Clark’s WNBA contract
WNBA TV ratings in 2023
TV networks have increasingly shown more interest in the WNBA in recent years, finally providing the women’s game an opportunity to get some of the spotlight. With more WNBA games being nationally televised more frequently, Disney and CBS saw rewards for it in 2023.
- WNBA television rating 2023: 505,000 avg. viewers on ESPN, CBS
ESPN reported its highest WNBA ratings in decades, with viewership increasing 21 percent in comparison to the previous season. In addition, the WNBA experienced record highs in performance on digital platforms, record-setting social media engagement and more sports betting on WNBA games. In total, ESPN and CBS reported a collected 8 percent increase in viewership year-to-year.
WNBA ratings by year
- 2023: 505,000 avg. viewers – (ESPN, ABC, ESPN2)
- 2022: 372,000 avg. viewers – (ESPN, ABC, ESPN2)
- 2021: 306,000 avg. viewers – (ESPN, ABC, CBS)
- 2020: 205,000 avg. viewers – (ESPN, ABC, ESPN)
After agreeing in 2021 to pay $27 million annually for the rights to WNBA games, ESPN’s deal with the league expires in 2025. With Clark’s arrival and the eventual addition of women’s college basketball stars like Paige Bueckers (UConn Huskies) and JuJu Watkins (USC Trojans), a new deal should be on the horizon and it will provide the WNBA with significant revenue moving forward.
Are WNBA TV ratings good?
WNBA television ratings have been steadily on the rise since the 2021 season, with the WNBA averaging over 500,000 viewers per nationally broadcasted game in 2023. In addition, the 2023 WNBA Finals was the most-watched in 20 years.
Most-watched WNBA games ever
Here are the highest WNBA TV ratings ever.
| Game (Network) | Avg. Viewers |
|---|---|
| June 21, 1997 – New York Liberty @ Los Angeles Sparks (NBC) | 5.04 million |
| June 22, 1997 – Charlotte Sting @ Phoenix Mercury (NBC) | 3.59 million |
| Sept. 5, 1999 – New York Liberty @ Houston Comets (NBC) | 3.25 million |
| June 14, 1998 – Los Angeles Sparks @ Phoenix Mercury (NBC) | 2.89 million |
| Aug. 30, 1997 – New York Liberty @ Houston Comets (NBC) | 2.85 million |
| May 29, 2000 – New York Liberty @ Houston Comets (NBC) | 2.74 million |
| Aug. 29, 1999 – Los Angeles Sparks @ Houston Comets (NBC) | 2.62 million |
| June 13, 1998 – Houston Comets @ New York Liberty (NBC) | 2.55 million |
| Aug. 9, 1997 – Los Angeles Sparks @ Houston Comets (NBC) | 2.53 million |
| September 25, 2024 – Indiana Fever @ Connecticut Sun (ESPN) | 2.54 million |
| Aug. 8, 1999 – Houston Comets @ New York Liberty (NBC) | 2.46 million |