WNBA draft second-most watched ever with 1.5M viewers

Field Level Media|published: Wed 15th April, 22:27 2026

Apr 13, 2026; New York, NY, USA; WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) hugs Azzi Fudd who was selected first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

With uncertainty over the identity of the top overall pick and new NCAA champion UCLA producing a record number of selections, the WNBA draft drew its second-highest viewership total ever on Monday.

According to ESPN, 1.5 million watched the event, a 20% increase from last year's draft. The audience reached a peak of 1.79 million tuning in shortly before 8 p.m. ET.

The record viewership of 2.45 million was established in 2024, when college stars Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese went first and seventh overall, respectively.

This year, the Dallas Wings chose UConn's Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall. The Wings also had the first pick last year, which they used to select Fudd's former UConn teammate, Paige Bueckers, who went on to win WNBA Rookie of the Year.

The Bruins, who won their first NCAA title earlier this month, established WNBA draft records with five first-round picks and six total players chosen.

Lauren Betts (No. 4 to the Washington Mystics), Gabriela Jaquez (No. 5 to the Chicago Sky), Kiki Rice (No. 6 to the expansion Toronto Tempo), Angela Dugalic (No. 9 to the Washington Mystics) and Gianna Kneepkens (No. 15 to the Connecticut Sun) were first-round selections. Charlisse Leger-Walker was chosen with the third pick of the second round (No. 18 overall), by the Sun.

--Field Level Media