A dramatic winner-take-all game between two of the league’s highest-profile teams delivered one of the top WNBA playoff audiences since 1999.

Tuesday’s Fever-Aces WNBA semifinal Game 5 averaged 1.83 million viewers on ESPN2, trailing only Caitlin Clark’s two playoff games last year (2.54M and 1.84M) as the most-watched WNBA playoff game outside of the Finals since 1999.

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The Aces’ overtime win, which peaked with 2.1 million viewers, ranks fourth among all playoff games — including the Finals — since 2000, behind the two Clark games and Game 5 of last year’s Finals (Lynx-Liberty: 2.15M).

For the season, Game 5 ranks sixth in viewership behind five other Fever games, four of which featured Clark. Overall, the Fever have played in the nine most-watched WNBA games this season, and that does not include the WNBA All-Star Game, which the franchise hosted in Indianapolis. (Keep in mind that the majority of regular season viewership figures are panel-only, rather than the “Big Data + Panel” figures that became Nielsen currency in September.)

Seven-figure WNBA audiences have become such a frequent occurrence that they are no longer notable. But recall that prior to the start of last season, no WNBA game of any kind had averaged one million viewers since 2008.

The full WNBA semifinals averaged 1.3 million viewers, up 57% from last year. While Nielsen’s February expansion of out-of-home viewing and September rollout of “Big Data + Panel” mean that this year’s numbers have a built-in advantage over prior seasons, that would not fully account for an increase of such size.

The big gains for the semifinals helped counter a double-digit decline for the opening round. Entering the Finals, WNBA playoff games averaged 1.1 million viewers — up 15% from a year ago. Again, keep in mind that these are “Big Data + Panel” figures being compared to last year’s panel-only viewership.

The WNBA is riding a wave of unprecedented momentum heading into the 2025 Finals — and the numbers prove it. According to league officials, this year’s postseason has drawn one of the highest playoff audiences since 1999, signaling a new era of visibility and excitement for women’s basketball. Fueled by superstar performances, heated rivalries, and a record-breaking surge in fan engagement, the league’s rise isn’t just a moment — it’s a movement.

After a season packed with storylines — from Caitlin Clark’s sensational rookie year to A’ja Wilson’s MVP dominance, and from the Mercury’s dramatic playoff resurgence to the Aces’ bid for a three-peat — the stage is now set for one of the most anticipated Finals in WNBA history. But beyond the hardwood, the league’s surging popularity has turned heads across the sports world. The WNBA’s viewership this postseason is up over 30% year-over-year, with major networks reporting record streaming numbers and engagement across social media platforms.

According to early reports, the semifinals averaged over 1.2 million viewers per game, marking the best postseason ratings in more than two decades. The final game of the Mercury–Aces series drew particularly massive numbers, peaking at over 1.8 million live viewers — a figure that rivals regular-season NBA broadcasts and cements the WNBA’s growing mainstream reach. ESPN, which has carried the majority of the playoffs, called the surge “historic,” crediting both new audiences and long-time fans for pushing women’s basketball into a new commercial stratosphere.

League commissioner Cathy Engelbert expressed both excitement and optimism following the announcement. “We’re seeing the results of sustained investment in our athletes, our storytelling, and our brand,” she said in a statement. “The world is watching women’s basketball — not out of novelty, but because the competition and talent are undeniable.”

Indeed, the competition this postseason has been fierce. The playoffs have featured multiple overtime thrillers, game-winning buzzer-beaters, and emotional comebacks that have kept fans glued to their screens. Teams like the Indiana Fever, driven by rookie phenom Caitlin Clark, captivated both new and returning audiences, while seasoned franchises like the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury brought intensity and star power that elevated every matchup.

Social media has amplified the league’s reach even further. Hashtags like #WNBAPlayoffs and #TheNextEra have trended globally, while players such as Breanna Stewart, Kelsey Plum, and Jewell Loyd have become cultural icons beyond the court. TikTok views featuring WNBA content have skyrocketed, surpassing hundreds of millions of interactions over the last month. Fans are no longer just watching games — they’re participating in a global conversation about women’s sports, equality, and representation.

Behind the scenes, broadcast partners and sponsors are reaping the benefits of the league’s rising profile. Disney, ESPN, and ABC all reported spikes in ad sales surrounding playoff broadcasts, while new corporate sponsors have entered the fold, eager to associate with a league that’s trending upward across every measurable metric. Major brands like Nike, Google, and Amazon have doubled down on WNBA marketing partnerships, signaling long-term confidence in the league’s growth trajectory.

But it’s not just the numbers that tell the story — it’s the passion. Fans have packed arenas across the country, with sellouts in Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and Indianapolis during the postseason. Ticket resale prices for Finals games are reportedly at an all-time high, rivaling those of some NBA matchups. The energy in arenas has been electric — a reflection of how the WNBA has evolved from niche coverage to must-see entertainment.

Part of the surge can be traced back to the cultural momentum surrounding women’s sports in general. From the record-breaking NCAA Women’s Tournament earlier this year to global soccer and tennis milestones, female athletes are finally receiving the attention and respect they’ve long deserved. The WNBA, with its blend of elite talent and authentic personalities, has become the centerpiece of that shift.

Basketball analysts credit much of the league’s newfound audience diversity to storytelling and accessibility. Players are more visible than ever — not just as athletes, but as personalities. Caitlin Clark’s transition from college superstar to professional spotlight brought in millions of new fans; A’ja Wilson’s dominance and leadership continue to inspire; and veterans like Diana Taurasi and Candace Parker (now in the broadcast booth) bridge the league’s storied past with its promising future.

As one ESPN analyst put it, “The WNBA isn’t just building stars — it’s building legacy. What we’re seeing now feels like what the NBA experienced in the ’80s and ’90s — a foundation for decades of sustained growth.”

And the timing couldn’t be more perfect. With the Finals tipping off this weekend, the matchup promises to deliver high drama and elite basketball. The storylines are already irresistible: Can the Aces cement their dynasty with a third straight championship, or will the Mercury complete their underdog redemption arc? For fans, it’s not just a series — it’s history in the making.

Beyond the game, the league’s success has ignited larger discussions about investment, equity, and respect for women’s sports. Players have long advocated for better pay, improved travel conditions, and equal marketing opportunities — and now, with the audience to back them, their voices carry more weight than ever. “The numbers don’t lie,” said one anonymous WNBA executive. “The demand is there. The fans are there. It’s time for everyone — networks, sponsors, and owners — to catch up to what’s already happening.”

Even former critics are changing their tune. Major sports media outlets that once gave minimal coverage to women’s basketball are now dedicating entire segments and shows to the WNBA. Talk shows, podcasts, and late-night hosts have all joined in celebrating the league’s rise. It’s a cultural moment — one that feels both overdue and unstoppable.

As the Finals begin, one thing is certain: the WNBA has arrived at a crossroads of legacy and opportunity. The record-breaking audiences, electrifying competition, and undeniable cultural influence have made this postseason more than just a success — it’s a statement.

From its humble beginnings in the late ’90s to the global spectacle it’s becoming today, the WNBA’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. As the league enters the Finals with its strongest viewership in over two decades, fans around the world are tuning in — not out of curiosity, but out of pure, unfiltered love for the game.

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The postseason average figures to benefit further from the newly expanded WNBA Finals. While average viewership figures to take a hit from the absence of New York, series length is often a bigger viewership driver than matchup quality — and the Mercury-Aces series will not have to go the distance in order to be the longest in league history.