Record-Breaking Viewership: NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship Hits One Million
Women’s college gymnastics keeps raising the bar when it comes to national attention. The 2025 NCAA Championship drew in a staggering one million viewers on ABC as Oklahoma clinched victory over UCLA, Missouri, and Utah.
That makes it the second most-watched gymnastics championship ever on any ESPN platform. The broadcast didn’t just show off world-class routines—it really put the sport’s growing mainstream appeal in the spotlight, especially among women.
According to Awful Announcing, the event peaked at a wild 1.5 million viewers, which set a new record for gymnastics on ESPN. This spike in interest says a lot about how smart broadcasting choices and changing audience habits can pull in new fans.
The Rise of NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Viewership
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In just a few years, women’s college gymnastics has gone from a niche interest to a reliable ratings draw. The 2025 NCAA Championship averaged 1 million viewers, just a hair under the 1.02 million record set in 2023.
This year’s audience was up 18% from the 808,000 who watched in 2024. That 1.5 million peak? It’s the highest ever for a gymnastics telecast on any ESPN property.
This isn’t just luck. ESPN’s move to shift the championship from ESPNU to ABC in 2021 gave the sport a huge boost in visibility.
Now, gymnastics can reach casual sports fans, families, and younger viewers who might have missed it on cable.
Why the Numbers Matter
For a sport that’s often labeled as niche, hitting one million average viewers is a big deal. In the crowded sports TV world, these numbers show gymnastics can stand toe-to-toe with bigger events.
Two of the last three championships hitting or nearly hitting a million viewers? That’s not something you see every day, and it’s proof that people are paying attention.
The 2025 championship also drew a 57% female audience, making it one of the most female-skewing events ESPN’s ever aired. That’s gold for advertisers and sponsors who want to reach loyal, engaged women viewers.
Breaking Down the 2025 Championship Ratings
The championship meet stole the show, but the semifinals mattered too. ESPN2 aired both sessions, and the results were a bit of a mixed bag.
Primetime semifinals averaged 212,000 viewers, which was down 5% from the year before. The daytime session, though, jumped to 154,000 viewers—a 48% leap over 2024.
Semifinal Performance Trends
That primetime dip might make you pause, but the daytime surge feels like a win. Maybe families and younger fans are tuning in earlier, or maybe there’s just more curiosity during the day.
- Primetime Semifinal: 212,000 viewers (-5% vs. 2024)
- Daytime Semifinal: 154,000 viewers (+48% vs. 2024)
- Championship Meet: 1 million average viewers, 1.5 million peak
The Impact of ABC’s Broadcast Strategy
ABC’s decision to pick up the championship in 2021 changed everything. Before that, ESPNU’s smaller reach meant fewer casual viewers.
Since the switch, every broadcast has pulled in high six-figure numbers, with two now breaking or nearly breaking the million mark.
Why Network TV Matters
Broadcast TV just reaches more people. ABC brings gymnastics into homes that don’t have cable or streaming sports, which means more potential fans and more chances for sponsors to get involved.
Plus, ABC’s production values and commentary add something extra. The high-def visuals and thoughtful storytelling really let the athleticism and artistry of gymnastics shine for everyone watching.
The Significance of the Female Audience
This year’s 57% female audience really stands out. Sports broadcasts rarely draw such a strong female crowd, and that opens up a lot of unique marketing and sponsorship options.
These viewers are invested—not just in the routines, but in the personal stories behind the athletes.
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Marketing Implications
Brands that want to connect with women, especially those interested in fitness, wellness, or family content, might see NCAA gymnastics as the perfect fit. That could mean more sponsorships, bigger athlete endorsements, and stronger support for programs across the country.
Conclusion: A Sport on the Rise
The 2025 NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championship wasn’t just another competition. It was a ratings statement, plain and simple.
With an average of one million viewers and a peak at 1.5 million, gymnastics showed it can stand tall in the sports broadcast world. That’s no small feat, honestly.
Strategic scheduling, bigger network exposure, and a loyal fan base all play a part here. The sport’s got some serious momentum for future growth.
ESPN and ABC keep throwing their weight behind coverage. More fans are catching on to how thrilling and artistic college gymnastics really is.
Who’s to say how high viewership could climb? If recent trends keep up, we might see gymnastics shattering its own records and staking its claim as one of the most watchable sports on TV.