• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 17, 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

IndyCar driver Andretti Global's Kyle Kirkwood, left, celebrates winning the Detroit Grand Prix with team co-owner Dan Towriss in Detroit on Sunday, June 1, 2025.

Cadillac F1 CEO Dan Towriss Defends  $700 Million Apple Deal

“We’re going to have a bigger reach than what people think.”
Jon Ledecky

Islanders Owner Warns WNBA Against Labor Strife: ‘No Bueno’

Jon Ledecky drew a stark contrast between the two leagues.
Sep 20, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick walks the sideline during the first quarter against the UCF Knights at the Bounce House Stadium.

Belichick’s UNC Saga Now Includes GM Trip to Saudi Arabia

UNC GM Michael Lombardi traveled to Saudi Arabia earlier this year.
Dave Checketts

Ex-Knicks President: When David Stern Accused Me of Skirting Cap

The Knicks walked away clean when accused of cap circumvention in the 1990s.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Cignetti

Curt Cignetti Lands Third Contract in Just 19 Games With Indiana

Cignetti signed a new contract five days after Indiana upset Oregon.
Tortillas
October 16, 2025

Texas Tech-Kansas Tortilla-Knife Mess Ends With $50K in Fines

Texas Tech’s tortilla tradition got both teams in trouble.
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Semaj Morgan (0) makes a catch for a first down in the first half against the USC Trojans at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
October 16, 2025

Michigan Board Publicly Opposes Big Ten Investment Proposal

“The Big Ten does not need to be sold to save college sports.”
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.
October 15, 2025

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”
Cody Campbell
October 15, 2025

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”
Oct 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver Makai Lemon (6) takes the ball on a kickoff return in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
October 14, 2025

USC, Michigan Officials Oppose Big Ten’s Private Capital Proposal 

Officials from both schools met virtually on Tuesday.
October 13, 2025

Penn State Could Owe James Franklin Very Little of Buyout

FOS has reviewed Franklin’s 2021 contract extension.