• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 14, 2025

New Locations Help ESPN ‘College GameDay’ Post Record Viewership

  • This year, the show visited four new locations — three of which were non-Power 5 matchups.
  • GameDay notched its best regular season viewership in history.
College GameDay crew reporting on sidelines of Ohio State football game
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch

Most years, the traveling college football pregame show “ESPN College GameDay” sticks to attending top Power 5 football schools, mixing in only one or two lower-division matchups. But this year, the network made a slight adjustment to its typical strategy — and it paid off big.

In a season where “GameDay” visited four first-time locations — two of which were FCS schools, and one of which was a Group of 5 school — the show posted its best regular season viewership in history. 

“GameDay” notched its second-highest full-season viewership, including pre-season shows, since launching in 1993.

  • “GameDay” averaged 2.1 million viewers.
  • Its regular-season average was up 10% from the second-highest previous year.
  • Three of its first-time hosts — App State, Montana State, and Kansas — all posted viewerships over the average.
  • Jackson State became the first SWAC school to host, and averaged 1.8 million viewers.

The numbers reflect a win-win relationship developed between first-time host schools and the network.

College GameDay Means More to Schools Than a Saturday Morning Spotlight

Schools reap ‘immeasurable’ benefits when the ESPN bus rolls into town.
November 5, 2022

Schools receive what one official described to Front Office Sports as an “immeasurable” marketing boost, which elevates the visibility of the athletic department and the school as a whole. 

The surrounding town receives a boost in local economic impact as well. Jackson State, for example, estimated that “GameDay” contributed to a homecoming weekend that raked in $8.9 million for Jackson, Mississippi.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Lane Kiffin: ‘Doesn’t Seem’ Like CFB Revenue-Sharing Cap Works Very Well

The outspoken Ole Miss football coach isn’t impressed with revenue-sharing guidelines.
Joy Taylor

Joy Taylor Out As FS1 Armageddon Ends Three Shows

All three shows were struggling to attract audiences.
NBC Sports
exclusive

NBC Hiring Ex-Hawks Exec Grant Liffmann As NBA Front Office Insider

Liffmann spent the last three years with Atlanta after covering the Warriors.

SEC’s Sankey Is ‘Fine’ With Big Ten’s Differing View on CFP Expansion

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey won’t commit to a 2026 CFP format.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive
July 8, 2025

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 10, 2025

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.