The landscape of women’s sports has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, with 2024 marking a pivotal year for record-breaking viewership and revenue milestones.
From soccer to tennis, women’s sports have proven their massive appeal to global audiences and sponsors alike. Let’s explore some of the top women’s sporting events of 2024 based on gross viewers and income.
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2024
The FIFA Women’s World Cup has consistently been a beacon for women’s sports, and 2024 was no exception. Hosted in Australia and New Zealand, this year’s tournament shattered records:
- Gross Viewership: Over 1.5 billion cumulative viewers tuned in globally, with the final alone attracting 300 million viewers.
- Revenue: The event generated an estimated $800 million thanks to increased sponsorships, broadcasting deals and ticket sales.
- Key Sponsors: Brands like Visa, Adidas and Coca-Cola invested heavily, recognizing the growing market of women’s sports.
Women’s Tennis Grand Slams
Tennis remains a cornerstone for women’s sports, with events like Wimbledon and the US Open leading the charge:
- Gross Viewership: Each Grand Slam garnered upwards of 100 million viewers globally, with Wimbledon setting a record with 120 million viewers for the women’s final.
- Revenue: The US Open generated over $500 million, partly due to gender-equal prize money and lucrative sponsorships.
- Star Players: The ongoing rivalry between Naomi Osaka and Iga Świątek captivated audiences and brought in new fans.
WNBA Draft
- The 2024 WNBA Draft averaged a record 2.45 million viewers on ESPN, the largest audience in league history. It outperformed the 2023 MLB Draft (744K) and NHL Draft (681K).
WNBA Season
- Record-setting Season: Over 54 million unique viewers and the highest attendance in 22 years.
WNBA Finals 2024
The WNBA continues to grow in popularity, with the 2024 Finals marking a turning point:
- Gross Viewership: The series drew an average of 1.5 million viewers per game, a 30% increase from 2023.
- Revenue: Ticket sales, merchandise, and broadcasting deals helped the WNBA generate $100 million during the Finals alone.
- Highlights: A nail-biting Game 5 finale between the Minnesota Lynx and New York Liberty elevated the league’s status.
NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship
- The 2024 National Championship (South Carolina and Iowa) drew 18.7 million viewers making it the most-watched basketball game, college or professional- men’s or women’s since 2019.
UEFA Women’s Champions League Final
Europe’s premier women’s soccer competition continued to attract millions:
- Gross Viewership: The 2024 final saw 60 million viewers worldwide, setting a new benchmark.
- Revenue: The competition brought in $200 million, with ticket sales and broadcasting rights as primary contributors.
- Star Power: Players like Alexia Putellas and Sam Kerr showcased world-class performances.
Women’s Cricket T20 World Cup
Cricket is rapidly gaining traction in the women’s sports world, particularly in regions like South Asia and Australia:
- Gross Viewership: The tournament recorded over 500 million viewers, with the final drawing of 70 million.
- Revenue: Estimated earnings reached $150 million, supported by sponsorships from tech and automotive brands.
- Historic Moments: The final’s thrilling finish between Australia and India captured global attention.
Women’s Tour de France
Cycling has seen a resurgence in women’s sports, with the 2024 Women’s Tour de France leading the way:
- Gross Viewership: Over 30 million viewers followed the race across multiple stages.
- Revenue: Sponsorship deals and broadcasting rights brought in $50 million.
- Notable Achievements: Annemiek van Vleuten’s dominant performance added to the event’s allure.
Women’s Boxing
- The Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano fight averaged 74 million viewers globally, making it the most-watched professional women’s sporting event in U.S. history.
Women’s Team Gymnastics
- The live broadcast of the women’s gymnastic team finals drew 12.7 million viewers on Peacock and NBC, more than the first round of the NFL Draft and all single NBA final games in 2023.
Women’s Team USA Soccer
- The gold medal match between the USWNT and Brazil averaged 9 million viewers, the highest viewership for a gold medal match since the 2004 Athens games.
Women’s College World Series
- The 2024 Women’s College World Series Finals were the most watched on record, hitting a high of 2.5 million -a 24% increase from the 2023 finals.
NWSL Women’s Soccer
- For the first time in league history, more than 2 million fans attended matches across the 2024 season. This year, 89 matches had more than 10,000 fans in attendance, a significant increase over the 2023 attendance.
PWHL Women’s Hockey League
- The PWHL saw 392,259 fans in attendance across the inaugural season.
Key Takeaways
The success of these events in 2024 underscores the growing market and enthusiasm for women’s sports. Major sponsors and broadcasters are increasingly recognizing the value, ensuring more investment and visibility. With such momentum, the future of women’s sports is brighter than ever.
