WNBA ratings rise 12% at All-Star break with increased viewership
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 29, 2026, 6:00 PM
Last updated Jul 29, 2026
The WNBA has reported a 12% increase in television ratings at the All-Star break compared to the previous season. The surge in viewership is attributed to strong broadcasts, particularly by NBC, which has averaged 1.5 million viewers for its four aired games. Notable performances from Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever have driven this increase, with the Fever's July 12 game against the Las Vegas Aces peaking at 2.6 million viewers. This growth reflects a wider trend in the popularity of women's basketball, despite ongoing off-court discussions surrounding league commissioner Cathy Engelbert.
- •WNBA ratings up 12% during first half of 2026 season.
- •NBC's broadcasts average 1.5 million viewers per game.
- •Top rated game featured the Indiana Fever against the Las Vegas Aces.
- •Caitlin Clark significantly contributes to audience interest.
- •The Fever leads the Eastern Conference as the playoff approach nears.
- 6:00 PMYahoo Sports — WNBA All-Star ratings surge 44% year-over-year
- 12:30 PMYahoo Sports — WNBA up 12% in first half ratings over last season
"The WNBA’s momentum, which started gaining steam with Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the 2024 draft, has been unstoppable. Heading into the 2026 season, ESPN’s VP of women’s sports programming and espnW, Susie Piotrkowski, spoke about the network’s view of Clark as a “gateway drug” into women’s sports. “If that brought you in, I’m going to…
"Nothing can slow down the momentum of the WNBA on television as ratings continue to soar. The league held its annual All-Star Game this past weekend, and it seemed like, yet again, that most of the conversation surrounding the WNBA was on off-court drama. On one side, another frenzied Caitlin Clark discourse was spreading like…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 29, 2026, 6:00 PMWNBA All-Star ratings surge 44% year-over-year
The WNBA’s momentum, which started gaining steam with Caitlin Clark’s arrival in the 2024 draft, has been unstoppable. Heading into the 2026 season, ESPN’s VP of women’s sports programming and espnW, Susie Piotrkowski, spoke about the network’s view of Clark as a “gateway drug” into women’s sports. “If that brought you in, I’m going to…
- Yahoo SportsJul 28, 2026, 12:30 PMWNBA up 12% in first half ratings over last season
Nothing can slow down the momentum of the WNBA on television as ratings continue to soar. The league held its annual All-Star Game this past weekend, and it seemed like, yet again, that most of the conversation surrounding the WNBA was on off-court drama. On one side, another frenzied Caitlin Clark discourse was spreading like…
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