ESPN Announces WNBA Draft Did Big-Time TV Ratings Monday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Apr 15, 2026 5:33 PM ET

The 2026 WNBA Draft marked the first big WNBA broadcast since the end of the 2025 season and the fans certainly tuned in.

According to the ESPN Press Room, the WNBA Draft was the second-most watched yet, with an average of 1.5 million viewers. It saw a 20-percent increase in viewers over last year, though was still much smaller than the vaunted 2024 WNBA Draft which featured Caitlin Clark.

"ESPN today announced that the 2026 WNBA Draft delivered the second most-watched WNBA Draft ever, averaging 1.50 million viewers, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel. The audience marks a 20% increase over last year’s Draft and trails only the record-setting 2024 event (2.45 million viewers)," the ESPN Press Room stated.

"The 2026 WNBA Draft peaked at 1.79 million viewers from 7:45–7:59 p.m. ET, as fans tuned in to see the league’s next generation of stars take the stage.

ESPN delivered the 2nd most-watched WNBA Draft EVER

1.5M viewers tuned in to Monday's '26 presentation, up 20% YoY
Peak 1.8M

Details: https://t.co/qyfWOJDMEC pic.twitter.com/OJvFTRf8gS
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) April 15, 2026

"WNBA Countdown also saw year-over-year growth, averaging 692,000 viewers, up 7% versus 2025.

"Across television on Monday night, the 2026 WNBA Draft ranked as the most-viewed program among Adults 18–34 and Males 25–54. On cable, the telecast was the No. 1 program of the night among People Under 50, Adults 18–34, Adults 18–49, Adults 25–54, Males 18–34, Males 18–49 and Males 25–54."

Draft Night

The 2026 WNBA Draft was defined by star power at the top, historic program representation, and major roster-shaping trades. Azzi Fudd headlined the class as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings, reuniting with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers and signaling the creation of one of the league’s most anticipated young duos.

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; A view of a Wilson WNBA basketball during the game between the Dallas Wings and the Washington Mystics at College Park Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Close behind, Olivia Miles went No. 2 to the Minnesota Lynx after a standout college career, while Spanish standout Awa Fam was selected third by the Seattle Storm. The draft also highlighted the strength of the UCLA pipeline, with a record number of Bruins selected in the first round, including Lauren Betts and Gabriela Jaquez.

Beyond the top picks, the draft was notable for its international flavor and significant movement across the board. Players from multiple countries were selected in the first round, reflecting the WNBA’s expanding global reach, while trades - most notably involving Flau'jae Johnson - reshaped team strategies on the fly. The event also marked the first draft featuring the league’s new expansion teams, including the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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