From Women's Fastbreak On SI · · 1m 50s
USA beats France in World Cup final with monster ratings
Women's basketball drew over a million viewers despite competing against NFL and US Open on the same day.
In brief
Women's basketball drew over a million viewers despite competing against NFL and US Open on the same day. Women's basketball is growing fast. The USA-France World Cup final pulled 1.2 million viewers even while competing directly with NFL Week 1 and the US Open tennis final. Originally reported by Women's Fastbreak On…
USA wins World Cup final
Team USA defeated France 97-79 in the FIBA Women's World Cup final on Sunday, drawing 1.2 million average viewers across HBO Max, TNT, and truTV.
Ratings jumped 158% from 2022
The final's 1.2 million viewers marked a 158% increase from the 2022 Women's World Cup final and a 750% jump from 2018.
Spain semifinal also drew strong numbers
USA's semifinal against Spain on Saturday averaged 938,000 viewers, making it the fourth most-watched FIBA Women's World Cup game ever.
Group stage games drew bigger crowds
USA's games against Italy and Czechia earlier in the tournament each drew 1.3 million and 1.2 million viewers respectively, outpacing the final.
NFL Sunday hurt the ratings
The final tipped off during NFL Week 1, and the US Open tennis final with American Ben Shelton was happening simultaneously, splitting viewership.
College football competed Saturday
The Spain semifinal aired during college football season, which likely had a similar impact on viewership as the NFL did on Sunday.
Media frustrated by scheduling
Several media members expressed frustration that the World Cup's biggest games were scheduled against major sports events, potentially costing millions of viewers.
Clark, Bueckers, Reese are stars
Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese are the young superstars driving women's basketball growth and will be key players at the 2028 Paris Olympics.
Women's basketball is growing fast
Over a million viewers for a women's basketball game during NFL Sunday shows how much the sport has grown and the star power these players command.
What to remember
Women's basketball is growing fast. The USA-France World Cup final pulled 1.2 million viewers even while competing directly with NFL Week 1 and the US Open tennis final.
