Monday’s WNBA Draft viewership delivered, after an average of 1.5 million viewers tuned in to ESPN’s coverage — marking the second-most watched event on record.
Viewership peaked at 1.79 million near the end of the first around, well after Dallas selected UConn’s Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall.
Ratings were up 20% over 2025, falling second only to 2024, when 2.45 million saw Indiana take Iowa’s Caitlin Clark with its first pick.
Monday’s numbers reinforce the women’s basketball boom’s endurance, arriving shortly after ESPN aired the second-most watched March Madness in network history.
Prior to 2024, WNBA draft viewership peaked at just 601,000 in 2004, while the last three years remain the only broadcasts to clear seven figures.
The 2026 WNBA Draft also ranked as the night’s top program among male-identified adults aged 25 to 54 and all adults from 18 to 34 — providing a captive audience as the league heads into its 30th season.
"The past 30 years have been about building the foundation. The next 30 are about scaling the game, unlocking what's possible for the entirety of women's basketball and women's sports," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters in New York.
"Season 30 arrives at what I think is the perfect moment... this starts a new chapter, and I can't wait for what's ahead."
Azzi Fudd is back at No. 1 in ESPN's latest WNBA mock draft, with the UConn guard now projected to go first overall to the Dallas Wings in Monday's 2026 WNBA Draft.
ESPN's final 2026 mock draft marks another shift at the top of a draft class that's lacked a clear consensus No. 1 pick. Over the past month, ESPN has also projected Olivia Miles, Lauren Betts, and Awa Fam in the top spot, underscoring how fluid the board has remained.
Fudd's rise reflects both fit and upside. Dallas already has size in the frontcourt and could pair Fudd's perimeter prowess with reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers in the backcourt. The pairing would give the Wings two elite shot creators, as the franchise looks to rebound after going 10-34 in 2025.
Fudd now enters the draft after one of the most complete stretches of her college career. She helped lead UConn to the 2025 national title while earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors. She followed that run with a productive senior year that reestablished her as a top guard.
However, the 23-year-old's recent NCAA tournament campaign proved uneven. Fudd scored 31 total points on 12-of-39 shooting across her final three games, though her long-term profile remains strong. She shot 42.2% from 3-point range over her college career, a mark that continues to separate her on draft boards.
That skill translates. Fudd creates off movement, spaces the floor, and has shown she can score efficiently in big moments, making her one of the safest guard prospects available.
Now, the focus shifts to draft night. Whether Dallas follows ESPN's projection or goes in another direction, Fudd has already etched her name in women's basketball history.
How to Watch Azzi Fudd at the 2026 WNBA Draft
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce tonight's draft live on ESPN, with exclusive coverage starting at 7 PM ET.
Earlier programming includes the WNBA Orange Carpet Special (ESPN2, 5:30 PM ET) and WNBA Countdown Presented by Google (ESPN, 6:30 PM ET), will all coverage also available for streaming via the ESPN App.
Basketball’s newest class steps up tonight, as tonight’s WNBA Draft sees teams look to build out their 2026 rosters with both NCAA and international standouts.
Dallas has the No. 1 pick for the second year in a row, followed by Minnesota, Seattle, Washington, and Chicago, before expansion sides Toronto and Portland take their rookie picks.
"The NCAA draft is just gonna be a cherry on a cake for us," Portland Fire general manager Vanja Černivec told reporters in Portland. "Can’t wait to go through that journey with you, our fans and our staff."
Top prospects include both backcourt and frontcourt talent, with UConn star Azzi Fudd, UCLA center Lauren Betts, TCU guard Olivia Miles, and Spanish big Awa Fam leading most mock WNBA drafts.
The draft spans three 15-selection rounds, though not every team has the same amount of picks. However, draft-day swaps are also common, with teams like Chicago already moving capital to open up potential transactions.
Much speculation surrounds Dallas's projected No. 1 selection, after the Wings took UConn superstar Paige Bueckers first in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
"Teams in recent years have been built through the draft, and when they’re built through the draft, other players want to play with great players," Dallas Wings GM Curt Miller said late last year. "Paige is a magnet. People want to play with great players."
How to Watch the 2026 WNBA Draft on ESPN
Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce tonight's draft live on ESPN, with exclusive coverage starting at 7 PM ET.
Earlier programming includes the WNBA Orange Carpet Special (ESPN2, 5:30 PM ET) and WNBA Countdown Presented by Google (ESPN, 6:30 PM ET), will all coverage also available for streaming via the ESPN App.
ESPN reported Tuesday that its 2026 Women's March Madness coverage delivered the second-highest viewership in network history, continuing the NCAA tournament's upward ratings trajectory.
Sunday's championship game between UCLA and South Carolina averaged 9.9 million viewers and peaked at 10.7 million, becoming ESPN's third-most watched women's final on record.
Both Women's March Madness Final Four matchups drew strong viewership numbers. South Carolina's 62-48 semifinal victory over previously undefeated UConn averaged 5.4 million viewers, while UCLA's win over Texas registered 5 million in the nightcap.
The 2026 tournament's ESPN viewership ranked second behind 2024's record-breaking run despite a repeat field, with 21 games averaging over 1 million viewers each. However, Iowa alum Caitlin Clark's 2023 and 2024 Final Four appearances continue to hold the top ESPN viewership spots.
“We are thrilled with the continued momentum we have seen across women’s basketball this season," said ESPN Senior Director of Programming and Acquisitions Dan Margulis.
"We delivered our strongest regular-season performance in 17 years, the second-best NCAA Tournament overall and continued to grow excitement around the game. That success reflects the dedication of the student-athletes on the court, as well as the commitment of ESPN, the conferences, and the NCAA to grow the game of women’s basketball."
The strong numbers arrive as women's college basketball continues expanding its mainstream audience. The tournament aired across ESPN networks linear and digital, including in primetime on ABC.
UCLA's title marked coach Cori Close's first NCAA title after 15 seasons with the program.
How to Watch 2027 Women's March Madness on ESPN
The women's NCAA tournament returns to ESPN next spring, with Selection Sunday scheduled for mid-March, 2027.
ESPN is breaking new NCAA basketball ground this weekend, sending studio teams to the Elite 8 and Sweet 16 for the first time in Women's March Madness history.
The network is deploying two crews to Fort Worth and Sacramento as the women's tournament starting Friday, March 27th. Christine Williamson, Andraya Carter, and Chiney Ogwumike are visiting Fort Worth, while Kelsey Riggs Cuff, Muffet McGraw, and Meghan McKeown head to Sacramento.
Coverage started Friday at 2 PM ET with NCAA Women's Championship Live on ESPN. The studio shows will cover the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 rounds on-site, before the crews land in Phoenix to tackle the Final Four.
Fort Worth hosts top seeds UConn, Texas, Vanderbilt, and Michigan. Across the country, Sacramento hosts UCLA, South Carolina, LSU, and Duke for its Elite 8 showcase.
Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe are handling multiple assignments, including the Final Four and NCAA Championship alongside rules analyst Dee Kantner.
Beth Mowins, Debbie Antonelli, and Jess Sims cover the Sacramento 2 Regional through the Elite 8. Separately, Courtney Lyle, Stephanie White, and Kris Budden handle the Sacramento 4 Regional — featuring top-seeded South Carolina.
Rules analysts provide additional support across both locations, with Dee Kantner working Fort Worth while Violet Palmer covers Sacramento.
In addition to tournament coverage, ESPN and Hulu premiered Breaking Glass: The Pat Summitt Story on Wednesday. The documentary from director Dawn Porter and executive producer Robin Roberts is subsequently slated to re-air on Sunday, March 29th on ESPN2 and Sunday, April 5th on ESPN.
How to Watch Sweet 16 and Elite 8 NCAA basketball on ESPN
The Sweet 16 tips off Friday afternoon at 2:30 PM ET, with coverage picking back up on Saturday at 12:30 PM ET. Following that, the Elite 8 takes center stage on Sunday, with coverage running through Monday evening.
All women's NCAA basketball tournament games air live on ESPN, and are available for streaming via the ESPN App.
The NCAA basketball schedule continues on Friday with the women's Sweet 16, when eight games air live across two days. This year's Women's March Madness tournament features matchups across ESPN, ABC, and other ESPN networks.
Friday's action tips off at 2:30 PM ET with No. 2 seed Vanderbilt facing No. 6 Notre Dame. No. 1 UConn subsequently takes on No. 4 North Carolina at 5 PM ET, before No. 1 UCLA meets No. 4 Minnesota at 7:30 PM ET, both on ESPN.
No. 2 LSU then closes the slate against No. 3 Duke at 10 PM ET, with all matches airing live on ESPN.
Saturday's NCAA basketball schedule begins with No. 2 Michigan taking on No. 3 Louisville at 12:30 PM ET, before No. 1 Texas faces No. 5 Kentucky at 3 PM ET, live on ABC.
No. 1 South Carolina then plays No. 4 Oklahoma at 5 PM ET, followed by No. 3 TCU battling No. 10 Virginia at 7:30 PM ET to close out ESPN's Saturday showcase.
All tournament games additionally stream on ESPN Unlimited, with fans also able to access live TV streaming services including Fubo, DirecTV, and Sling TV.
The Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds split time between Fort Worth, Texas and Sacramento, California., with the Elite Eight tipping off on March 29th.
The Women's Final Four then takes place April 3rd at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. The 2026 national championship game takes the floor on Sunday, April 5th, with ABC set to broadcast the title game from Phoenix.
Breaking Glass: The Pat Summitt Story — a new documentary chronicling the late Tennessee basketball coach — will premiere across Hulu and ESPN starting March 25th.
The documentary special traces the legendary coach's path from her childhood on a farm through her 38-years tenure with the Lady Vols. Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts is backing the project via her Rockin' Robin Productions, alongside Trilogy, Tribeca Productions, and producer Don Porter.
Summitt's son Tyler told local media the film covers his mother's playing career, coaching achievements, eight NCAA titles, and her battle with Alzheimer's disease.
"The documentary shows how much she cared about other people, including her graduation rate, her efforts to help people with Alzheimer's, her support for women's sports, and the importance of family and friends," Tyler Summitt said.
Roberts met Pat Summitt in 1987 when she worked as a sports reporter in Nashville. The two stayed close for the next 29 years, with Roberts previously producing the 2013 ESPN documentary Pat XO.
The Tennessee icon retired in April 2012 with 1,098 career wins — more than any DI basketball coach at the time. She won eight championships between 1987 and 2008, with Tennessee appearing in 31 consecutive NCAA tournaments under her leadership.
Summitt died in 2016 after battling early-onset Alzheimer's disease. She was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.
How to Watch 'Breaking Glass: The Pat Summitt Story' on Hulu and ESPN
Breaking Glass: The Pat Summitt Story will be available to stream on Hulu starting March 25th, before making its ESPN debut on April 5th.
ESPN will spotlight UConn star Azzi Fudd in a new SC Featured segment exploring the guard's journey beyond basketball.
Titled "Imperfectly Imperfect," the documentary spotlight debuts this Sunday during SportsCenter, with ESPN planning to re-air additional editions throughout the day.
Reporter Sam Borden chronicles Fudd's upbringing, highlighting the familial foundation that guided her through adversity and triumph. Her mother Katie played at NC State and Georgetown before joining the Sacramento Monarchs in 2001, while her father Tim played at American University.
Including never-before-seen footage and firsthand perspective, the segment additionally explores Fudd's resilience and mindset, after she battled through multiple injuries during her UConn tenure — including a foot injury that sidelined her for 11 games as a freshman.
Fudd ranks among the most dynamic players in women's college basketball, with the UConn guard projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 WNBA draft after helping the Huskies to an undefeated regular season.
The 23-year-old earned first team All-America honors this week alongside teammate Sarah Strong. She currently averages 17.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting 43.6% from beyond the arc. Fudd won the 2025 national championship with the Huskies, and is now gearing up to lead UConn's pursuit of back-to-back March Madness titles.
ESPN's SC Featured has won six Sports Emmy Awards since rebranding in 2013, earning more than 90 industry awards over the past 12 years.
How to Watch Azzi Fudd's 'SportCenter' Spotlight on ESPN
"Imperfectly Imperfect" debuts Sunday, March 22nd starting at 8 AM ET on ESPN.
ESPN will exclusively present the 2026 NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Championship starting March 12th, with most games streaming live on ESPN+. This month's ice hockey tournament features 11 teams competing for the national title, with the championship game set for March 22nd.
Regional semifinals tip off Thursday, March 12th, followed by regional finals Saturday, March 14th., all streaming exclusively across ESPN platforms. The Frozen Four semifinals then take the ice on March 20th and 22nd, closing out the tournament at Pegula Ice Arena in University Park, Pennsylvania.
No. 1 seed Ohio State (34-4-0) opens its regional campaign on Saturday at 6 PM ET on ESPN+. The Buckeyes finished as runners-up last season, going on to earn the No. 1 overall seed after defeating Wisconsin 2-1 at the WCHA championship.
No. 2 seed Wisconsin will defend its eighth national championship this year, after the Badgers won the 2025 title with a 4-3 overtime victory over Ohio State. The programs have alternated national championships over the last five seasons, while meeting in the title game for the last three consecutive years.
Penn State earned the No. 3 seed, after the Nittany Lions claimed their fourth straight Atlantic Hockey America title behind the nation's top-scoring defense at 1.35 goals per game.
Minnesota grabbed the No. 4 seed, while Northeastern rounds out this year's automatic berths. Five conferences earned bids, with six at-large teams set to battle through the tournament's opening round.
How to Watch the 2026 NCAA Women's Hockey Tournament on ESPN+
The tournament starts tonight at 6 PM ET, live on ESPN+, with the championship game airing Sunday, March 22 at 4 PM ET on ESPNU.
All coverage will also stream on the ESPN App via direct-to-consumer or pay TV authentication.
US captain Hilary Knight criticized comments Trump made about the women's hockey team on Wednesday, as the Olympic gold medalist called the President's words a "distasteful joke" during a SportsCenter appearance.
Trump made the comment during a congratulatory call to the men's hockey team, as the players celebrated their Olympic gold medal win. He invited the men's team to the State of the Union address at the White House, then joked he would have to invite the women's hockey team too or face impeachment. Several men's players laughed at Trump's remarks, drawing public criticism after the video went viral.
Knight later said Trump's comment overshadowed the women's team's Olympic achievements. "I thought it was sort of a distasteful joke and unfortunately that is overshadowing a lot of the success," she told the ESPN broadcast, emphasizing celebrating accomplishments rather than focusing on lapses in support.
Knight led Team USA to its third Olympic gold this year, scoring the tying goal against Canada in the final game's last two minutes. Megan Keller then netted the overtime winner to secure the 2-1 victory — and the Knight's second gold medal.
The 36-year-old also became the most decorated player in US women's hockey history, capping her Olympic career ranked first among US skaters in goals (15) and points (33) over five Winter Games.
With the PWHL and NCAA hockey returning to the ice this week, the women's team opted to decline their White House invitation.
"Due to the timing and previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games, the athletes are unable to participate," the team stated Monday.