The first returns of the 2025 WNBA playoffs viewership showcase both sides of the Caitlin Clark effect.
The WNBA’s four-game slate on ESPN networks was down 16% compared to last year, according to Nielsen data. However, the decline was driven solely by the 3 p.m. ET game between the Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream, which drew 951,000 viewers on ABC, 47% less than the 1.8 million the Fever at Sun game drew last year.
Clark, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season, missed Sunday’s game for Indiana. She was available for the Fever last postseason, the first WNBA playoff appearance of her career.
However, the rest of the Game 1s, all of which aired on ESPN, averaged 545,000 viewers, up 28% compared to the other three opening games last year. It’s important to note that Nielsen’s new Big Data + Panel data, implemented last month, is expected to boost viewership numbers across the board.
Here are the results of all four Game 1s and comparisons to the same timeslot in 2024 (all times ET):
- 1 p.m. Golden State Valkyries at Minnesota Lynx (ESPN): 680,000 (+66%)
- 3 p.m. Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream (ABC): 951,000 (-47%)
- 5 p.m. New York Liberty at Phoenix Mercury (ESPN): 481,000 (+19%)
- 7 p.m. Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces (ESPN): 476,000 (+3%)
The games also aired against Week 2 of the NFL season, including the 4:25 p.m. ET Super Bowl LIX rematch between the Chiefs and Eagles that delivered historic viewership.
Last year, WNBA viewership numbers were higher for Game 2, as matchups on Tuesday and Wednesday drew more viewers than the Sunday Game 1s. All four of those games aired on ESPN, as is the case this year.
There were no Game 3s last year, as all four best-of-three first-round series ended in sweeps. This year, under the new 1-1-1 playoff format, at least two series will have a Game 3 following Tuesday’s results. All Game 3s are scheduled to air on ESPN2, with ESPN set to air college football.
