The WNBA is experiencing a resurgence in popularity it hasn’t seen since its inaugural season. Led by rookie stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, record-setting attendance numbers and viewership provide hope for a bright future.
In the first round of the 2024 WNBA Playoffs, a game featuring Clark averaged 1.84 million viewers, making it the league’s most-watched game since 2000, despite competing directly against Week 3 NFL games which were airing at the same time.
Although the league has seen a significant boost across television and digital platforms — several of the league’s stars generate millions of social media followers — none of this year’s games make the top 10 of the league’s history. The league’s inaugural season dominates the ranking of most-watched games, primarily due to viewing habits and the excitement surrounding the league’s first season.
Since debuting in 1997, all the most-watched WNBA games came within its first five seasons.
The first WNBA game ever televised still holds the title as the most-watched WNBA game. The Liberty played the Sparks at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California, attracting 5.04 million viewers.
At the game, 14,284 people gathered to witness history. Penny Toler of the Sparks scored the first basket of the season, but the Liberty won 67-57.
The next day’s game on June 22, 1997 takes second with 3.59 million viewers. The Mercury hosted the Sting in Phoenix at the America West Arena.
Phoenix became the first home team to secure a win, beating Charlotte 76-59.
Third is the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game, which drew a record 3.44 million viewers. That total is more than double the previous mark of 1.44 million, which was set in 2003 when the game took place at Madison Square Garden.
The game attracted such high ratings in part due to the unconventional matchup as a Team WNBA led by non-Olympians took on the U.S. national team.
A star-studded rookie class is paving the way for the WNBA’s plans to surpass viewership records set in its infancy. Despite the promising season so far, the league still faces challenges to posting positive revenue numbers.
Ranking The Most Watched WNBA Games Ever
Here is the list of the top 10 most-watched WNBA games based on reported viewership. The list was compiled using historical data from Sports Media Watch.
- Updated: September 25th, 2024
| Ranking | Date | Matchup | Reported Viewership |
| 1 | June 21, 1997 | Liberty at Sparks | 5.04 million |
| 2 | June 22, 1997 | Sting at Mercury | 3.59 million |
| 3 | July 20, 2024 | Team USA vs Team WNBA | 3.44 million |
| 4 | September 5, 1999 | Liberty at Comets | 3.25 million |
| 5 | June 14, 1998 | Sparks at Mercury | 2.89 million |
| 6 | August 30, 1997 | Liberty at Comets | 2.85 million |
| 7 | May 29, 2000 | Liberty at Comets | 2.74 million |
| 8 | August 29, 1999 | Sparks at Comets | 2.62 million |
| 9 | June 13, 1998 | Comets at Liberty | 2.55 million |
| 10 | August 9, 1997 | Sparks at Comets | 2.53 million |
| 11 | August 8, 1999 | Comets at Liberty | 2.46 million |
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