ESPN Platforms Have Record-Breaking WNBA Viewership for 2025 Opening Weekend
The WNBA kicked off its 2025 season with unprecedented viewership numbers, setting new records for opening weekend on ESPN platforms. The marquee matchup between the Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever became the most-watched WNBA game ever on ESPN, drawing an average of 2.7 million viewers and peaking at 3.1 million. This marks a 115% increase over last year’s regular season ABC average. Fever guard Caitlin Clark opened her second season in unforgettable fashion, posting a triple-double of 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in front of a sellout crowd in Indianapolis.
Another high-profile game between the Las Vegas Aces and New York Liberty also drew strong numbers, averaging 1.3 million viewers and peaking at 1.9 million. Meanwhile, the WNBA Countdown show brought in 804,000 viewers, up 26% from last year.
ION Doubleheader Shows Massive Growth
ION also saw massive growth. On opening night, Friday, May 16, ION’s national broadcast of the Minnesota Lynx vs. Dallas Wings and the Los Angeles Sparks vs. Golden State Valkyries doubleheader saw a 121% increase in viewership over its first 2024 broadcast. The individual games were up 121% and 119%, respectively, showing surging national interest across multiple networks.
ESPN showed two games over the weekend. The national broadcasts for the three games on opening night, Friday, May 16, were on ION. The Lynx vs. Wings game was on the same time as the Atlanta Dream vs. Washington Mystics matchup. The Sparks vs. Valkyries game came on after the simultaneous broadcast.
The remaining games of the weekend, one on Saturday night and two on Sunday, were on the WNBA’s League Pass with local broadcasts available.
