Women’s professional soccer continues to gain popularity with American fans.
A record viewing audience of 915,000 tuned in to watch the Portland Thorns defeat the Kansas City Current 2-0 to claim their third NWSL title on Saturday.
That makes it the most-watched match in league history and represents a 71% increase from last season’s championship, also played on a Saturday.
Part of the reason for the bump in viewership was likely the match’s presence on CBS in a primetime slot — the first time that has happened in league history.
Overall, 2022 represented a landmark season for the nine-year-old league.
In addition to the uptick in viewership for the final, the NWSL set multiple attendance records this season, including several single-game records and most overall over the course of the season (1,042,063).
It’s all led to a bigger bottom line for the sport as a whole: The number of title sponsors for women’s soccer leagues grew 11% since 2021, while club commercial revenue increased 33% and league commercial revenue jumped 24% year-over-year.
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; General view inside the stadium before the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26635123_168416386_lowres-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
![[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC defender Reece James (24) lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates as U.S. president Donald Trump after the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/USATSI_26637216_168416386_lowres-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
