NWSL Championship TV ratings are a record breaker

The 2022 National Women’s Soccer League season has ended. It culminated in NWSL Championship TV ratings setting a new record television viewership. CBS Sports has revealed that the game between the Portland Thorns and Kansas City Current averaged 915,000 viewers on CBS and Paramount+. This was a 71% increase on the previous season’s championship match.

Portland went on to beat Kansas City 2-0 for the title. It was the team’s third championship trophy since 2013. They have previously collected titles in 2013 and 2017.

CBS Sports also declared that the game was the most-watched women’s fixture on Paramount+ in United States households. The streaming service recorded double-digit growth compared to the 2021 National Women’s Soccer League championship.

The title match, which was played on October 29th, aired at 8PM ET on CBS. This was the first time that a National Women’s Soccer League game was nationally televised in primetime.

Sponsor steps in to help bring title game to primetime

Although initially set for a noon kickoff, National Women’s Soccer League partner Ally stepped in. The financial company increased their media investment for the championship game to help push the match to primetime.

“Like sports fans across the country, we knew it was important to create a pathway to primetime for this year’s NWSL championship game,” stated Andrea Brimmer, Ally’s chief marketing and public relations officer.

“We increased our media investment with CBS to help make it happen, delivering the first action in our promise to watch the game, change the game.”

“This is a huge win for the fans, for the players and the league, and for all brands that invest in women’s sports,” Brimmer continued. “We are thrilled to be bringing the game to more fans this year, in the spot the sport deserves.”

The move by Ally clearly paid off.

Along with the impressive broadcasting figures, the National Women’s Soccer League also set attendance records this season as well. In total, 32,000 fans filled Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego to see Wave FC play against Angel City in September.

Photo credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire