WNBA viewing figures reaches record highs during 2026 season

FILE PHOTO: The arrival of expansion franchises in Portland and Toronto helped the league attract nearly four million fans. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

The WNBA said on Wednesday that viewership reached record levels across ABC, CBS and ESPN during the 2026 season, with the league’s expansion to 16 teams playing a significant role in the growth.

ABC drew an average audience of 1.56 million, a 9% increase on 2025. CBS averaged 1.27 million viewers, also up 9%, while ESPN’s average rose 32% year on year to 1.24 million.

The arrival of expansion franchises in Portland and Toronto helped the league attract nearly four million fans through the gates, making it the best-attended campaign in WNBA history.

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The league marked its 30th season during a period of rapid expansion and rising global interest in women’s sport. Three additional teams are scheduled to begin play in 2028, 2029 and 2030.

“For three decades, generations of players, teams, fans and so many others have dedicated themselves to building this league and making a season like this possible,” WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.

“There is tremendous pride in what we’ve accomplished together and even greater excitement for all that lies ahead,” she added.