Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Coco Gauff Powers ESPN to Record Viewership for Women’s Final

  • Gauff’s three-set victory over Aryna Sabalenka in U.S. Open women’s final averaged 3.4 million viewers.
  • The American’s first major win garnered more viewers than the men’s singles final on Sunday.
Coc Gauff
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Coco Gauff’s three-set victory over new world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s U.S. Open final averaged 3.4 million viewers — a new viewership record for a women’s major tennis final on ESPN that totaled more than a million more viewers than the men’s final on Sunday. 

Atlanta-born Gauff was the first American — man or woman — to win the U.S. Open title since 2017. Viewership was up 92% over last year’s women’s final between Iga Świątek and Ons Jabeur, according to ESPN. 

Gauff secured $3 million for her first Grand Slam title. The women’s final was also the most-streamed match of the tournament. 

Overall, the final weekend of the U.S. Open was the second most-watched on ESPN ever. 

Novak Djokovic’s straight-set victory over Daniil Medvedev averaged 2.3 million viewers, about an 8% bump over 2022, according to ESPN.

The women’s and men’s final averaged 2.8 million viewers, a 40% increase from last year and the second-highest total behind 2019. The tournament averaged 1 million viewers, down from 2022 when Serena Williams’ farewell tour drew immense interest. 

Beyond the TV and streaming metrics, the U.S. Open had record attendance with a total draw of 799,402 — a 3% increase from 2022 — during the two-week tournament in Flushing, New York. All 25 sessions at the 23,771-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium sold out. 

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

WNBA Finals Game 6 Will Test Daytime Sports Viewership

The Valkyries would clinch the WNBA Finals with a win Thursday.

WNBA Moves Finals Game to Midday to Play in NBA Arena

The series is tied at 2 entering Game 5 on Monday.

Site for Game 6 of WNBA Finals Still Up in Air

The series is guaranteed to go at least six games.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/27/26 – NBA Enters Prediction Markets, WNBA Finals Midday Move, LIV Hangs by a Thread

0:00

Featured Today

Football - NFL - Houston Texans v Jacksonville Jaguars - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - October 18, 2026 The necklace of a Jacksonville Jaguars fan outside the stadium before the match

Die-Hard Sports Fandom Has Reached the Afterlife

Will fans pay $6,000 to memorialize their team loyalty?
October 20, 2026

Why Europe Is Pumping Out NBA Superstars

The NBA and NCAA have an increasingly European flavor.
October 15, 2026

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Sep 14, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Broadcaster Pat McAfee prior to a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium.

ESPN Stands by McAfee’s ‘Very Real and Valid’ Concerns

An ESPN spokeswoman says the network takes all threats very seriously.
Worldwidewob
Exclusive
October 27, 2026

Why World Wide Wob Walked Away From NBA Twitter

He’s “still covering LA police chases daily on Twitch.”
October 27, 2026

Jerry Jones Says Cowboys Hiring Troy Aikman ‘Very Possible’

Jones and Aikman spoke on the field Monday night.
Sponsored

How the New York Yankees Stay Game-Ready with Sage Intacct

See how Sage Intacct helps the Yankees streamline finances and plan for the future.
Oct 25, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) sacks Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the second quarter at Ford Field.
October 26, 2026

Tom Brady Candidly Questioned Officiating in Packers-Lions

Fox’s officiating expert backed him up.
October 24, 2026

Troy Aikman Says He’d Consider Role With Cowboys

Aikman welcomes conversations with Jerry Jones as his ESPN contract nears expiration.
October 24, 2026

Luke Kuechly Calls Netflix NFL Role a Work ‘In Progress’

Kuechly is also calling some regional NFL action for CBS.
Aug 30, 2018; New York, NY, USA; Television personality Britt McHenry in the stands during a second round match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Tennys Sandgren of the United States on day four of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
October 23, 2026

Britt McHenry Out at Trump Admin After Viral Drink-Throwing Incident

McHenry joined the State Department as a press advisor last month.