WNBA sees record viewership on ESPN and ABC during 2026 season
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 26, 2026, 1:15 AM
Last updated Sep 26, 2026
The 2026 WNBA season reached its highest viewership ever on ESPN and ABC, averaging 1.37 million viewers across 29 games, a 17% increase from the previous season. ESPN's 17 games averaged 1.24 million viewers, while ABC's 12 games averaged 1.56 million, with both networks reporting significant year-over-year growth. The Indiana Fever, led by Caitlin Clark, was a key driver of interest, contributing to the most-watched WNBA game ever on cable, which attracted 2.58 million viewers. Other broadcasters, including NBC and CBS, also saw increased audiences, indicating a rising popularity of women's basketball.
- •WNBA averaged 1.37 million viewers in 2026, up 17% year-over-year.
- •ESPN aired 17 games, averaging 1.24 million viewers, up 32%.
- •ABC's 12 games averaged 1.56 million viewers, a 9% increase.
- •The August 16 game between the Fever and Dream had 2.58 million viewers.
- •NBC and CBS also reported increased viewership for their WNBA broadcasts.
- 1:15 AMYahoo Sports — 2026 WNBA season was ESPN/ABC’s most-watched ever
"For all the controversy, narratives, and right-wing meddling happening off the court, the WNBA had another stellar season of fans tuning in to watch the action on it. ESPN announced Friday that for the third straight year, the stretch of WNBA games broadcast across ESPN and ABC this season was the most-watched in its history.…
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