In a historic moment for women's college basketball, the national championship game between South Carolina and Iowa captured the attention of millions, setting new records for viewership. The game, which ended in South Carolina's favor with a score of 71-69, drew an astounding 18.7 million viewers, reaching a peak of 24.7 million.

According to ESPN, the viewership figures represent an impressive 89 percent increase from the previous year's title game and a remarkable 285 percent increase from 2022. These figures also establish the game as the most-watched basketball game, be it men's or women's, college or professional, since 2019.

However, the fascination with the women's basketball tournament extended beyond the championship game itself. The matchup between Iowa and UConn in the national semifinals garnered 14.2 million viewers, with a peak of 17 million viewers. This contest set a new record for women's college basketball viewership, a record that endured for less than 72 hours.

Prior to the national semifinals, Iowa's triumph over LSU in the Elite Eight attracted an average of 12.3 million viewers, peaking at 16 million. The team's victory over Colorado in the Sweet 16 garnered an average of 6.9 million viewers. Even in the earlier rounds, the viewership numbers for Iowa's second-round win over West Virginia were staggering, drawing 4.9 million viewers and marking the third-largest audience for any women's tournament game in the past two decades.

In addition to the extraordinary levels of interest generated by Iowa's impressive journey, other games during the tournament also witnessed notable viewership. UConn, a long-standing powerhouse in women's basketball, drew a significant viewership for their Elite Eight win over USC, with 6.7 million viewers tuning in.

The excitement and avid viewership for women's college basketball throughout the tournament demonstrate a growing enthusiasm for the sport. These record-breaking numbers highlight the increasing popularity and recognition of the women's game, surpassing viewership records set in previous years.

As the sport continues to captivate audiences with its talent, intensity, and moments of sheer brilliance, it is clear that women's college basketball has found a larger stage and a wider audience eager to witness its remarkable achievements.