ESPN delivered its most-watched WNBA regular season ever in 2026, as the league celebrates its 30th season. It also marks the third straight year ESPN has delivered its most-viewed WNBA regular season on record.
Across 29 games, the WNBA on ESPN networks averaged 1.37M viewers, up 17% year-over-year and ranking as ESPN networks’ most-viewed WNBA regular season on record. ESPN presented 17 games this season, averaging 1.24M viewers, up 32% year-over-year, while 12 games on ABC averaged 1.56M viewers, up 9% year-over-year.
Non-Indiana games averaged 984K viewers, up 24% year-over-year. WNBA Countdown averaged 595K viewers, up 27% year-over-year.
The record-setting season was highlighted by five games averaging more than 2M viewers.
Five games top 2M viewers
- Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream – Aug. 16, ESPN: 2.58M viewers
- Indiana Fever at Chicago Sky – Aug. 8, ABC: 2.56M viewers
- Indiana Fever at Minnesota Lynx – Aug. 2, ABC: 2.52M viewers
- Dallas Wings at Indiana Fever – May 9, ABC: 2.49M viewers
- New York Liberty at Indiana Fever – Aug. 11, ESPN: 2.01M viewers
Indiana Fever-Atlanta Dream on Aug. 16 led all WNBA games across ESPN networks this season and became the most-watched WNBA regular-season or postseason game ever on cable.
The historic season also delivered significant growth among younger audiences. Viewership among Persons 2-17 increased 29% year-over-year, while Persons 18-24 grew 27%.
ESPN’s WNBA coverage continues Sunday on ABC
ESPN’s WNBA coverage continues Sunday, Sept. 27, with a WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel doubleheader on ABC. WNBA Countdown presented by Google Pixel tips off coverage at 1:30 p.m. ET, followed by New York at Minnesota at 2 p.m. ET and Indiana at Las Vegas at 4 p.m. ET.
Coverage continues Wednesday, Sept. 30, on ESPN, beginning with WNBA Countdown presented by Google Pixel at 6:30 p.m. ET. Atlanta at Washington follows at 7 p.m. ET, with Golden State at Dallas at 9 p.m. ET.
Additional WNBA Playoffs coverage details will be announced soon.
Source: Nielsen Big Data + Panel
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ESPN media contacts: santa.brito@espn.com, alex.feuz@espn.com.