Gotham FC Claims NWSL Championship as Viewership and Attendance Soar

The 2025 NWSL Championship witnessed Gotham FC narrowly defeat the Washington Spirit 1-0, securing their second title in three years. The event’s broadcast peaked at 1.55 million viewers, highlighting a robust national interest in women’s professional soccer. This figure represents a notable year-over-year increase from the 2024 final, showcasing that the league’s premier events are successfully capturing mainstream audiences on network television.

Throughout the postseason, which featured seven linear broadcasts on ABC, ESPN, and CBS, the league averaged approximately 550,000 viewers, culminating in a total audience of around 3.36 million—an increase of approximately 11 percent compared to the previous year. The live events were complemented by record attendance figures, with playoff crowds totaling 114,459 across seven matches, marking the highest attendance in NWSL postseason history and continuing a trend of escalating in-person support.

The championship’s viewership growth was particularly pronounced among younger adults, with viewers aged 18–34 increasing by nearly 70 percent compared to the 2024 final. Additionally, social media and digital engagement metrics soared during the championship week, generating tens of millions of impressions and significantly higher engagement rates, which contributed to increased merchandise and onsite sales. Collectively, these enhancements in television viewership, attendance, and social media engagement bolster the NWSL’s commercial appeal to sponsors and media partners.

The record-breaking viewership, attendance, and engagement data from the 2025 season underscore the NWSL’s rising status within the sports landscape. With continued investment and fan support, the league is well-positioned to capitalize on this momentum and further elevate the profile of women’s soccer both nationally and internationally.