• Loading stock data...
Monday, September 15, 2025

Women’s Tournament Early-Round Ratings Down From 2024, Still Strong

The first round of women’s March Madness was down 22% from last year, but still the second-most-watched since 2013. The second was down 30% from last year but up 60% from 2023.

Mar 22, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) looks for an opening against the Arkansas State Red Wolves in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
David Butler II-Imagn Images

The first two rounds of the women’s March Madness tournament showcased the upward trajectory of the sport, though, perhaps expectedly, they couldn’t live up to last year’s lofty benchmarks.

First Round

The opening round averaged 367,000 viewers across ESPN networks, the second-most-watched first round since 2013. Those numbers are down 22% vs. last year but up 43% from 2023.

The most-watched first-round game this year was between UConn and Arkansas State, which drew 1.1 million viewers on ABC—the third-most-watched women’s first-round game in history despite the Huskies winning by 69 points. 

This year’s first round was the most lopsided in history with an average victory margin of 26.5 points, the most of any non-title round. Only 7 of the 32 first-round games were decided by fewer than 10 points.

The most-watched first-round game was Caitlin Clark and Iowa’s opener last year against Holy Cross, which drew 3.2 million viewers.

Round of 32

The second round averaged 982,000 viewers, down 30% from the 1.4 million average last year but up 60% from 2023. It’s the second-most-watched round of 32 on record.

UConn vs. South Dakota State led the way with 1.7 million viewers on ESPN. South Carolina vs. Indiana drew 1.4 million viewers on ABC while USC and Mississippi State, Monday’s late-night game on ESPN when JuJu Watkins tore her ACL, drew 1.3 million viewers. The three games were in the top 10 most-watched second-round games on record, with the UConn game in fifth.

The Maryland vs. Alabama game, a double-overtime thriller on ESPN2, peaked at 1.6 million viewers during the second OT.

The top four all came last year. Clark and Iowa drew 4.9 million viewers on ESPN in a close game against Virginia that was tied with under three minutes remaining. UConn vs. Syracuse (ESPN), LSU vs. Middle Tennessee (ABC), and USC vs. Kansas (ESPN) all had more than 1.75 million viewers.

Despite the loss of Watkins for the rest of the tournament, the Sweet 16 will feature a few major matchups, as no team below the No. 5 seed advanced. Notable games include Duke vs. North Carolina, TCU vs. Notre Dame, and UConn vs. Oklahoma.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.
Sep 14, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) gestures to a teammate after scoring against the Seattle Storm in the first quarter during game one of round one for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Aces Surge From Collapse to Contention With Dynasty at Stake

The turnaround started after a 53-point loss to the Minnesota Lynx.
Las Vegas Aces

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.

Warriors $75M Pitch Fails to Sway Kuminga As Season Looms

Kuminga and his representatives want a long-term deal.

Featured Today

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; New Mexico Lobos quarterback Jack Layne (2) reacts after his team scored a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl.

UCLA Paid New Mexico $1.2 Million for Friday’s Loss: Payout Game Tracker

The Bruins weren’t the only Power-4 school to lose a buy game and fire their coach.
September 14, 2025

College Football’s Costly Start for Virginia Tech, UCLA: Coaches Out

UCLA and Virginia Tech fire their coaches while Notre Dame slumps badly.
Sep 12, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Nico Iamaleava (9) looks to pass during the first quarter against the New Mexico Lobos at Rose Bowl.
September 15, 2025

UCLA-Tennessee QB Trade Has Been Painful So Far

Iamaleava abruptly left Tennessee for UCLA this past offseason.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Mar 4, 2025; Washington, DC, USA; House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., speaks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor-Greene, R-Ga., ahead of President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.
September 11, 2025

House Republicans Delay SCORE Act Vote Tentatively Planned for Next Week

They didn’t believe they had enough votes to pass the bill.
Jan 25, 2023; Langley, British Columbia, CAN; Highlights from the CHL Kubota Top Prospects game at the Langley Events Centre
September 10, 2025

NCAA Hockey Scouts Denied Passes for Crucial Recruiting League

The CHL won’t welcome scouts on passes: “It comes across as petty.”
Feb 17, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs guard Jalen Weaver (5) during the first half against the Boise State Broncos at ExtraMile Arena.
September 10, 2025

NCAA Bans 3 Basketball Players for Violating Betting Rules Last Season

The former San Jose State and Fresno State players have lost eligibility.
NFL Congress
exclusive
September 10, 2025

College Sports ‘House of Cards’: Republicans, Lobbyists Work to Secure Votes to..

Several House Republicans criticized the SCORE Act on social media.