AUSL championship sets record with 732,000 viewers on ABC
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 30, 2026, 11:30 AM
Last updated Jul 30, 2026
The 2026 AUSL championship game between the Utah Talons and Chicago Bandits averaged 732,000 viewers, establishing it as the most-watched professional softball game ever on ABC. This follows a season marked by increased viewership, with ESPNs games averaging 375,000 viewers, up 150% from the previous year. The AUSL's strong performance has led to 25 sellouts, primarily driven by the Portland Cascades. While the AUSL grows in popularity, it faces potential competition from the upcoming Women’s Pro Baseball League, which will begin its inaugural season in August.
- •AUSL championship aired on ABC for the first time.
- •Portland Cascades accounted for nearly half of the sellouts in 2026.
- •Viewership for college softball remains higher than professional leagues.
- •Women's Pro Baseball League begins its inaugural season in August.
- 11:30 AMYahoo Sports — AUSL championship becomes most-watched professional softball game ever
"The 2026 AUSL championship became the most-watched professional softball game on record, as the softball league continued to report strong viewership in its second season. The championship game between the Utah Talons and Chicago Bandits averaged 732,000 viewers on ABC Sunday, a record for a softball game. The game was the first professional softball game…
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