UCLA's women's basketball title win over South Carolina averages 9.9 million viewers

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UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) and South Carolina center Madina Okot (11) battle for a tip-off during the first half of the women's National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game between UCLA and South Carolina, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/John Locher)

UCLA guard Kiki Rice (1) and UCLA forward Amanda Muse (33) celebrate after defeating South Carolina in the women's National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) — UCLA center Lauren Betts (51) and South Carolina center Madina Okot (11) battle for a tip-off during the first half of the women's National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game between UCLA and South Carolina, Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/John Locher)

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4:40 PM on Wednesday, April 8

The Associated Press

BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — UCLA's 79-51 victory over South Carolina for its first NCAA women's basketball title on Sunday averaged 9.9 million viewers on ESPN and ABC, making it the third most-viewed women’s championship game since ESPN started televising the tournament in 1996.

It was the most-watched sports event of the past week according to Nielsen, and a 15% increase from last year's game between UConn and South Carolina.

Sunday's audience peaked at 10.7 million viewers at the conclusion despite the Bruins holding a significant lead in the second half.

Friday night's national semifinals averaged 5.2 million on ESPN, the second most-watched since 1996. South Carolina's win over UConn and UCLA's victory over Texas ranking as the fourth- and fifth-most watched semifinal games on ESPN.

This year's tournament on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 averaged 1.3 million viewers, a 5% increase over last year. ABC and ESPN aired 41 of the 58 games.

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