Story perspectives

Iowa State Tops Women's Basketball Viewership with 1.3M

1/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Iowa and Iowa State lead the 2025-26 women's basketball viewership, per Nielsen.
Iowa State's 74-69 victory over Iowa, part of ESPN's Jimmy V Classic, drew 1.3 million viewers, the top-watched women's game.
Iowa's win over Oregon drew over 300,000 viewers.
Iowa State moved to eighth in the AP Poll after wins over UCF and Oklahoma State, and will face Colorado and Kansas State next week to improve its ranking.

History

Historical Context

The NCAA established its first women's basketball championship in 1982, following a decade of growing interest in women's sports, partly due to Title IX's impact on gender equity in athletics. The inaugural tournament attracted over 30,000 fans, reflecting a significant cultural shift. Today, viewership for women's basketball continues to rise, with Iowa State's recent victory drawing 1.3 million viewers, showcasing the sport's expanding popularity.

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Story summary

Iowa and Iowa State lead the 2025-26 women's basketball viewership, per Nielsen.
Iowa State's 74-69 victory over Iowa, part of ESPN's Jimmy V Classic, drew 1.3 million viewers, the top-watched women's game.
Iowa's win over Oregon drew over 300,000 viewers.
Iowa State moved to eighth in the AP Poll after wins over UCF and Oklahoma State, and will face Colorado and Kansas State next week to improve its ranking.

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