Overview
- ESPN PR says non-CFP bowls averaged 2.7 million viewers through Dec. 27, a 13% year-over-year increase.
- The Pop-Tarts Bowl drew 8.7 million viewers on ABC, the best non-CFP/New Year’s Six audience on ESPN since the 2019–20 Citrus Bowl.
- The Pinstripe Bowl delivered 7.6 million viewers for a record high, while the TaxSlayer Bowl hit 6.0 million for its strongest number since 2009.
- Other games posted multi-year or all-time marks, including the Rate Bowl (4.4M, best since 2011), LA Bowl (3.8M, best on record), and First Responder Bowl (3.1M, best on record).
- The figures exclude games played after Dec. 27, such as the Alamo Bowl and several Dec. 31 matchups, so full-season totals remain incomplete.