The South Carolina vs Iowa Final broke the record for all basketball games, men’s or women’s in the last 5 years
South Carolina won the 2024 NCAA Tournament over Caitlin Clark’s Iowa
In an electrifying showdown that captivated millions, the clash between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship not only determined the champion but also etched its place in television history.
Women’s NCAA Final viewership peaked at 24 million viewers
Marking their third NCAA women’s basketball championship under the tutelage of coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks secured a monumental victory that reverberated far beyond the courts.
Sunday’s exhilarating matchup, broadcasted on ESPN and ABC, set ablaze the screens across the nation, drawing an unprecedented average of 18.7 million viewers, which is higher than any NBA game in the last five years.
18.7 MILLION 🔥
— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) April 8, 2024
This staggering figure skyrocketed expectations, with final Nielsen numbers poised to soar even higher.
The face-off between Kamilla Cardoso’sGamecocks and Caitlin Clark’sHawkeyes wasn’t just a game; it was a spectacle.
With a peak viewership hitting a remarkable 24 million, the contest surged viewership by a staggering 89% compared to last year’s championship and an astonishing 285% from the previous edition.
Such a monumental surge solidifies this championship as a milestone, ranking as the most-watched basketball game – professional or collegiate – since 2019.
'24 #NCAAWBB Natl. Championship ended the season with a bang on ABC & ESPN
🏀18.7M viewers, peak 24M
🏀Up 89% from '23 & 285% from '22
🏀Most-watched basketball game (men's or women's, college or pro) since '19
🏀Most-watched sporting event since '19 (excl. football & Olympics) pic.twitter.com/0a4uwiOwgp— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) April 8, 2024
The Caitlin Clark effect is real
Commenting on this unprecedented viewership surge, ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro remarked, “With a record-setting audience of 18.7 million viewers, Sunday’s Iowa-South Carolina title game was a fitting finale to the most-viewed ever NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
These exceptional athletes, coaches, and teams captured our attention in unprecedented ways and it’s incumbent on all of us to keep the incredible momentum going.”
Fueling this surge were remarkable players like Caitlin Clark, whose prowess on the court drew comparisons to legends of the sport, triggering what has been dubbed the “Caitlin Clark Effect.”
At just 22 years old, Clark’s dominance and record-setting performances served as a magnet, attracting new viewers and igniting widespread interest in women’s basketball.
Every single one of Caitlin Clark’s last three college games broke the record for the most-watched women's CBB game ever:
• 12.3 million, Iowa-LSU
• 14.2 million, Iowa-UConn
• 18.7 million, Iowa-South Carolina pic.twitter.com/Gp4svIZ7NJ— Front Office Sports (@FOS) April 8, 2024
This monumental viewership surge isn’t an isolated incident but rather a reflection of a broader trend in women’s sports.
With significant milestones reached in 2023 and projections of surpassing $1 billion in revenue this year, women’s elite sports are on an unprecedented trajectory of growth and recognition.
For the Hawkeyes, the championship game marked the culmination of a series of groundbreaking moments, breaking the viewership record for women’s college basketball not once, but thrice in the past week alone.
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse witnessed a sellout crowd of 18,300 fans, testament to the fervent support and growing popularity of women’s basketball.
While the 2024 Women’s Basketball NCAA Tournament may have concluded, The Walt Disney Company’s commitment to women’s athletics remains unwavering.
From the upcoming 2024 WNBA Draft on April 15 to the premiere of Full Court Press – an ESPN+ Original Series chronicling the journeys of basketball stars like Clark and Cardoso – the momentum of women’s sports continues to build.
As ESPN gears up for a new eight-year agreement with the NCAA for championships media rights, including a record 40 NCAA championships, the future shines brightly for women’s sports on the grand stage.
