Friday, July 3, 2026

NCAA Ice Hockey Final Sets ESPN Ratings Record

  • Quinnipiac’s overtime win over Minnesota was the most-viewed Frozen Four game on ESPN platforms since 2011.
  • The title game had 808,000 average viewers, up 100% over last year’s championship game.
Apr 6, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Quinnipiac celebrates after beating Michigan in the semifinals of the 2023 Frozen Four college ice hockey tournament at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Last Saturday’s NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey title game between Quinnipiac and Minnesota was the most-viewed Frozen Four game on ESPN platforms since 2011, the network announced Tuesday. 

The Bobcats’ overtime victory over the Gophers pulled in 808,000 average viewers during ESPN’s broadcast, up 100% over ESPN’s 2022 men’s ice hockey final coverage. This year’s championship game reached a high of 1.1 million peak viewers. 

The game aired on ESPN2 and was streamed via the ESPN app, as the network did with all games during the men’s ice hockey tournament. For Quinnipiac, its 3-2 victory over Minnesota secured the Connecticut school’s first NCAA title in program history. 

The state of Connecticut celebrated another national championship as UConn secured its fifth men’s basketball title in program history, solidifying its status as a bonafide college blue blood. Only UCLA, Kentucky, and North Carolina have more championships.

Quinnipiac’s campus in Hamden is just a short drive from UConn’s campus in Storrs — but the two schools couldn’t be more different. Quinnipiac is a small, private college with an undergraduate enrollment of about 6,000, while UConn is a sprawling public university with more than 18,000 students.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Exclusive

ESPN Nears Mike Garafolo Deal As It Goes All In on NFL Reporters

ESPN has a deep bench of NFL reporters and personalities.

PGA Tour’s Biggest Events Deliver Ratings Gains Ahead of TV Talks

The $20 million events are a model for the new Championship Series.

Brendan Sorsby Embraces 650-Day Wait for Chance at NFL Roster

The quarterback is a man without a home this fall.

After NFL and CFL Say No, UFL May Be Sorsby’s Best Option

The UFL appeared to confirm Sorsby would be eligible.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/2/26 – Celtics Trade Jaylen Brown, World Cup Ratings Smash Records, Serena Knee Scare, Bobby Bonilla Day

0:00

Featured Today

ATLANTA, GA - September 05: Georgia Lottery fireworks after the game against the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park on Friday, September 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Inside the Spectacle and Science of MLB Fireworks

Postgame fireworks are lighting up baseball for America250.
Kansas City Chiefs
July 1, 2026

NFL Teams Push to Turn Futbol Fans Into Football Devotees

NFL teams are courting international soccer fans during their World Cup visits.
June 26, 2026

What We Saw Traveling the U.S. for the World Cup Group Stage

The knockout stage begins Sunday.
June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.

NBC’s MLB Takeover Could Offer a Glimpse of Baseball’s Future

The network’s “Star-Spangled Sunday” further heralds its return to MLB.
Oct 24, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; NBA on Prime reporter Allie Clifton (right) interviews Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) after the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
July 1, 2026

Allie Clifton Credits ‘Road Trippin’ for Changing Her Career

Richard Jefferson approached Clifton to join the podcast in 2017.
July 2, 2026

World Cup Ratings Getting Massive Lift From Bars and Watch Parties

Fox and Telemundo have been greatly aided by World Cup watch parties.
Sponsored

Josh Childress: Why Now Is the Time for NBA Expansion

Josh Childress on why he invested in the Portland Thorns, the case for NBA expansion, and donating to Stanford NIL.
Mar 1, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; CBS Sports senior NFL reporter Jonathan Jones during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive
July 1, 2026

Jonathan Jones in Advanced Talks to Leave CBS for The Athletic

Jones first joined CBS in 2019.
July 1, 2026

World Cup Sets Group Stage Ratings Records for Fox, Telemundo

Both Fox and Telemundo have posted an extensive series of viewership milestones.
Rob Stone speaks during the Fox Sports Big Noon Kickoff NCAA football pregame show, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at the Pentacrest in Iowa City, Iowa.
June 30, 2026

A Bandwagoner’s Guide to the USMNT World Cup Run

Rob Stone breaks down the Americans’ outlook ahead of Wednesday.
June 30, 2026

Comcast’s NBCUniversal Split Could Give the NFL More Leverage

The forthcoming split will reverberate throughout the entire media business.