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yesterday

Caitlin Clark’s Preseason Game Sets WNBA Records for Viewership and Attendance

Clark's return to Iowa drew 1.3 million viewers on ESPN and sold out Carver-Hawkeye Arena in minutes, highlighting her unparalleled impact on women's basketball.

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Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) signs autographs Sunday, May 4, 2025, during a preseason game between the Indiana Fever and the Brazil national team at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City. The Indiana Fever defeated the Brazilian National Team, 108-44. Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Overview

  • The May 4 preseason game between the Indiana Fever and Brazil's national team averaged 1.3 million viewers on ESPN, peaking at 1.6 million, setting a new WNBA preseason record.
  • Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City sold out its nearly 15,000 seats in just 15 minutes, with an average ticket price of $670.
  • This viewership marks a 13% increase over ESPN's WNBA regular-season average from 2024 and surpasses most NBA preseason games in the past 15 years, except for two featuring LeBron James.
  • Clark's transformational impact on the league has led to national broadcasters scheduling 41 out of 44 Fever games for the upcoming regular season.
  • The WNBA's expanded preseason accessibility and Clark's growing star power are driving unprecedented attention to women's basketball as the regular season approaches.