On a Saturday night in October, a young franchise from the Bay Area won its first Finals game in front of a larger audience than the league has ever gathered for a series opener. The Golden State Valkyries, only in their second season, beat Atlanta and drew an average of 2.1 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, a sign that a league long working to be seen is finding new eyes as national broadcast returns after a generation away. Among those watching, some were likely drawn by the college ties that run through the roster and the Connecticut towns that love UConn basketball, though the number
Valkyries' Game 1 Finals Win Draws Record WNBA Opener Audience on NBC and Peacock
A team that did not exist on the court two years ago
Mark
Two point one million average viewers. Why is that the number people are pointing to?
Mimi
Because it's the biggest audience ever for a WNBA Finals opener, up 11% from last year's Game 1, and it came from a team in its second season.
Mark
The peak was higher, wasn't it?
Mimi
Three million, during the closing minutes, when Gabby Williams hit the decisive free throws after scoring 26.
Luke
Worth noting that's a peak figure, not the average. The record is the 2.1 million average.
Mark
There are four former UConn players on the roster. Did that pull in viewers?
Mimi
It's a natural thought, and Hartford-New Haven posted a 2.07 local rating.
Luke
But NBC hasn't established how many viewers came because of the Huskies. The rating is suggestive, not proof of cause.
Mark
And San Francisco?
Mimi
It led all markets at 4.49, with New Orleans second at 3.04.
Luke
Fair, though the reporting doesn't explain New Orleans. We just know the number.
Mark
What comes next?
Mimi
The series is 1-1, with Game 3 in Atlanta Wednesday and Game 4 Saturday on NBC and Peacock.
Der Puls
- Golden State edged Atlanta 68-64 in Game 1, a defensive grind decided in the final minutes.
- Viewership climbed to a peak of 3 million as the closing moments unfolded on NBC and Peacock.
- Gabby Williams's 26 points and clutch free throws pushed the Valkyries past a stubborn Dream squad.
- Atlanta struck back with a 79-65 Game 2 win, with Angel Reese dominating for 30 points and 16 rebounds.
- Coach Natalie Nakase must find steadier offense and contain Reese as the series shifts to Atlanta for Game 3.
- The series is tied 1-1, with Game 4 returning to national television Saturday at 1 p.m. ET.
On a Saturday night in October, a young franchise from the Bay Area won its first Finals game in front of a larger audience than the league has ever gathered for a series opener. The Golden State Valkyries, only in their second season, beat Atlanta and drew an average of 2.1 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, a sign that a league long working to be seen is finding new eyes as national broadcast returns after a generation away. Among those watching, some were likely drawn by the college ties that run through the roster and the Connecticut towns that love UConn basketball, though the numbers do not yet say how many. The series now stands even, and the story is still being written.
On Saturday night, the Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 68-64 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, and an average of 2.1 million people tuned in on NBC and Peacock. NBC confirmed it is the largest audience ever for a Finals opener, up 11% from last year, with viewership peaking at 3 million as the game was decided in its final minutes.
The numbers mean extra weight for a team only in its second season, and for a network returning to WNBA Finals coverage after 24 years away. The night belonged to Gabby Williams, the French-American forward from UConn, who scored 26 points and sealed the game at the free throw line. Golden State held Atlanta to 64 points and closed with a 7-0 run in a game defined by defense.
Williams is one of four former Huskies on the roster, and Hartford-New Haven, a Connecticut market with deep UConn roots, posted a 2.07 local rating. NBC has not said how many Finals viewers came for those college connections, but the pull is easy to see. The Bay Area led all markets, and the Valkyries have built a passionate following at Chase Center.
Atlanta answered in Game 2, winning 79-65 behind 30 points and 16 rebounds from Angel Reese. The series is tied 1-1. Game 3 is Wednesday in Atlanta, where Coach Natalie Nakase's team must contain Reese and find more consistent offense. Game 4 returns to NBC and Peacock on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, where a franchise that did not exist two years ago will play for a championship in front of millions.
On Saturday night, the Golden State Valkyries beat the Atlanta Dream 68-64 in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals, and an average of 2.1 million people watched on NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports confirmed on Wednesday that this is the largest audience ever for a WNBA Finals opener.
The broadcast drew 11% more viewers than last year's Game 1. Viewership peaked at 3 million during the closing minutes, when the game was decided. The numbers carry extra weight because the Valkyries are in only their second season, and NBC is back with WNBA Finals coverage after a 24-year absence.
The decisive moments belonged to Gabby Williams, the French-American forward who played college basketball at UConn. She scored 26 points in Game 1, including the free throws that put Golden State past Atlanta. Stokes, a teammate, added nine points, seven rebounds and four blocks in a game defined by defense. Golden State held the Dream to 64 points and closed with a 7-0 run.
Williams is one of four former Huskies on the roster. Tiffany Hayes, Kiah Stokes and Kaitlyn Chen also played at UConn. That might help bridge college and professional audiences, but NBC has not established how many Finals viewers were drawn specifically by the former Huskies. One local figure points in that direction without proving it: Hartford-New Haven, a Connecticut market with deep ties to UConn basketball, recorded a 2.07 local rating for Game 1.
The Bay Area led all markets. San Francisco posted a 4.49 rating, ahead of New Orleans at 3.04. The Valkyries have built a passionate home following at Chase Center, where fans have embraced the team's "Ballhalla" identity. The franchise reached the Finals faster than any previous expansion team.
Coach Natalie Nakase has built a contender around defensive discipline, versatility and depth rather than a single superstar. That formula produced the franchise's first Finals victory.
Atlanta answered in Game 2, winning 79-65 behind 30 points and 16 rebounds from Angel Reese. The best-of-seven series is tied 1-1. Game 3 is Wednesday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, and Nakase's team must contain Reese while finding more consistent offense. Game 4 is Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock, where the Valkyries, a team that did not exist on the court two years ago, will again play for a championship in front of millions.
Bemerkenswerte Zitate
The broadcast drew 11% more viewers than last year's Game 1 and peaked at 3 million.— NBC Sports
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