The UConn-South Carolina NCAA championship game averaged 8.5 million viewers Sunday, via Nielsen. It trails only the previous two title games. The 2023 championship between Iowa and LSU set what was a record at the time: 9.9 million viewers……

The 2025 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game between UConn and South Carolina garnered an average of 8.5 million viewers, according to Nielsen ratings. This impressive viewership positions the game as the third-most watched women’s national championship in history, trailing only the previous two title games.

Comparative Viewership Trends

While the 2025 championship’s 8.5 million viewers are substantial, they represent a decline from the record-breaking 18.9 million viewers of the 2024 championship between South Carolina and Iowa. The 2023 championship also attracted a higher viewership, with 9.9 million tuning in to witness LSU’s victory over Iowa.

Influence of Star Players

The presence of standout athletes has significantly impacted viewership numbers. The 2024 championship’s record audience is largely attributed to Caitlin Clark’s remarkable performance with Iowa, which captivated a broad audience. In contrast, the 2025 championship lacked such a unifying star, which may have contributed to the observed decrease in viewers. citeturn0news12

Strong Final Four Engagement

Despite the overall decline in championship game viewership, the 2025 Final Four games demonstrated robust engagement. The matchup between UConn and UCLA averaged 4.1 million viewers, while South Carolina’s game against Texas drew 3.6 million viewers. These figures rank among ESPN’s top broadcasts for women’s basketball, indicating sustained interest in the sport’s premier events. citeturn0news13

Future Outlook

The fluctuations in viewership highlight the critical role of star power and compelling narratives in attracting audiences. As the women’s game continues to evolve, fostering emerging talent and captivating storylines will be essential to maintain and grow viewer engagement. The consistent viewership of Final Four games suggests a solid foundation, with potential for increased interest as new stars emerge and the sport gains further prominence.