Dream-Valkyries WNBA Finals opener reportedly sets Game 1 audience record at 2.1 million

NBC Sports reported on Oct. 21 that the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries’ Oct. 17 WNBA Finals opener averaged 2.1 million viewers across NBC and Peacock. The broadcaster called it the largest audience for a WNBA Finals Game 1, based on Nielsen Big Data + Panel and Adobe Analytics data. NBC Sports put the audience 11% above last year’s Game 1.

Golden State won 68-64, led by Gabby Williams’ 26 points. NBC Sports said viewership peaked at 3 million between 5:45 and 5:55 p.m. ET. That was a peak, not the full-game average.

The Game 1 distinction matters: NBC Sports said the 1997 winner-take-all WNBA championship game averaged 2.85 million viewers on NBC. The league adopted a championship series in 1998.