2024 has been a monumental year for the WNBA in terms of viewership metrics. Last week, ESPN reported that the regular season games saw a massive jump in viewership, with an average of 1.2 million viewers per game, compared to 440,000 viewers the previous year. This spike in viewership is unprecedented in sports television.
Even more impressive is the fact that 22 regular-season games surpassed the 1 million viewers mark, a feat last achieved in 2008. Adding the WNBA All-Star Game and Draft to the mix, a total of 24 programming events in 2024 attracted over 1 million viewers, with star player Caitlin Clark being a consistent draw in most of these events.
The WNBA All-Star Game set a new record with an average of 3.44 million viewers on ABC, while the WNBA Draft saw a 307 percent increase in viewership compared to the previous year. Additionally, several games on ION surpassed the 1 million viewers mark, showcasing the growing popularity of the league.
The upcoming postseason is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated in WNBA history, driven by increased viewer interest. The league’s partnerships with major media outlets like ESPN and ABC have played a crucial role in boosting viewership numbers. The recent success of the Golden State Valkyries, a new addition to the league, further highlights the growing popularity of women’s sports.
Looking ahead to the future, there is a call for more consistent programming and increased coverage of the WNBA to cater to the demands of viewers. With the addition of new franchises and the emergence of star players like Caitlin Clark, the league is poised for even greater success in the years to come.
As the postseason kicks off, all eyes will be on the WNBA Finals, with potential matchups like Fever-Liberty and Aces-Fever generating significant viewer interest. The Fever’s presence in the finals is expected to draw the highest viewership, but other matchups like Liberty-Lynx and Aces-Liberty also promise to be compelling viewing experiences.
With the WNBA continuing to break records and capture the attention of fans across the globe, the future looks bright for the league and women’s sports as a whole.
