12 Women’s Sports Records Set in 2023
Athletes and fans alike raised the bar in 2023 — from attendance and viewership numbers to unforgettable performances and record-shattering revenue earned. We can’t wait to see what 2024 holds, but for now, check out some notable women’s sports records set this year. ⬇️
Women’s Indian Premier League Signed Historic Rights Deal
January 16, 2023
Viacom18 acquired the media rights to the Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) through 2027. The landmark agreement is worth over $116M. At the time, this was the second-largest sum ever paid by a media outlet for a women’s sports broadcasting deal.
The Most-Watched Women’s Basketball Final Ever
April 2, 2023
The LSU versus Iowa 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game peaked at 12.6M viewers — the most-watched women’s basketball final in history. LSU beat Iowa 102-85, and Angel Reese was named MVP.
Women’s Indian Premier League Signed Historic Rights Deal
January 16, 2023
Viacom18 acquired the media rights to the Women’s Indian Premier League (WIPL) through 2027. The landmark agreement is worth over $116M. At the time, this was the second-largest sum ever paid by a media outlet for a women’s sports broadcasting deal.
The Most-Watched Women’s Basketball Final Ever
April 2, 2023
The LSU versus Iowa 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship game peaked at 12.6M viewers — the most-watched women’s basketball final in history. LSU beat Iowa 102-85, and Angel Reese was named MVP.
Women’s College World Series Shattered Attendance Records
June 2023
Softball fans sold out three of nine sessions of the 2023 Women’s College World Series and set new attendance records for eight of the nine sessions. The Championship game between Florida State and Oklahoma was the highest-attended WCWS final ever, with 12,257 fans in the stands to witness OU complete its three-peat.
FIFA World Cup Saw Highest Revenue & Attendance in Tournament History
July - August 2023
The FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup generated the most revenue in tournament history, raking in $570 million. Over 1.9M football fans attended this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, shattering the previous attendance record of 1.35M in Canada in 2015 and nearly 500K over projections.
Women’s College World Series Shattered Attendance Records
June 2023
Softball fans sold out three of nine sessions of the 2023 Women’s College World Series and set new attendance records for eight of the nine sessions. The Championship game between Florida State and Oklahoma was the highest-attended WCWS final ever, with 12,257 fans in the stands to witness OU complete its three-peat.
FIFA World Cup Saw Highest Revenue & Attendance in Tournament History
July - August 2023
The FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup generated the most revenue in tournament history, raking in $570 million. Over 1.9M football fans attended this summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, shattering the previous attendance record of 1.35M in Canada in 2015 and nearly 500K over projections.
The Matildas Became Australia’s Most-Watched Television Program
August 16, 2023
Over 11.5M viewers across Australia tuned in to the Matildas’ semifinal game against England. The match was the most-watched TV event since 2001, when Australia established its current television ratings system.
Jewell Loyd Broke the WNBA Scoring Record
August 25, 2023
Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd set a WNBA single-season scoring record with 939 points against the Chicago Sky. The record was previously held by Loyd’s former teammate, Breanna Stewart, at 919 points.
The Matildas Became Australia’s Most-Watched Television Program
August 16, 2023
Over 11.5M viewers across Australia tuned in to the Matildas’ semifinal game against England. The match was the most-watched TV event since 2001, when Australia established its current television ratings system.
Jewell Loyd Broke the WNBA Scoring Record
August 25, 2023
Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd set a WNBA single-season scoring record with 939 points against the Chicago Sky. The record was previously held by Loyd’s former teammate, Breanna Stewart, at 919 points.
Nebraska Volleyball Shattered World Attendance Record
August 30, 2023
92,003 fans poured into Memorial Stadium for the Nebraska versus Omaha volleyball match — setting a new world record for attendees at a women’s sporting event.
Coco Gauff Broke Tennis Viewership Record
September 9, 2023
3.4M people tuned in to watch Coco Gauff win the US Open, the most-viewed Major Women’s Championship ever on ESPN. Coco defeated Aryna Sabalenka, the world #1 at the time, to win her first Major tournament.
Nebraska Volleyball Shattered World Attendance Record
August 30, 2023
92,003 fans poured into Memorial Stadium for the Nebraska versus Omaha volleyball match — setting a new world record for attendees at a women’s sporting event.
Coco Gauff Broke Tennis Viewership Record
September 9, 2023
3.4M people tuned in to watch Coco Gauff win the US Open, the most-viewed Major Women’s Championship ever on ESPN. Coco defeated Aryna Sabalenka, the world #1 at the time, to win her first Major tournament.
Tigst Assefa Sets New Marathon Record
September 24, 2023
Tigst Assefa set the new world record marathon time at the BMW Berlin Marathon, clocking in at 2:11:53. She is the only woman in history to run a marathon in under two hours 12 minutes — beating the previous record by over two minutes.
Rapinoe’s Farewell Game Broke the All-Time NWSL Attendance Record
October 6, 2023
34,130 fans filled Lumen Field to honor OL Reign’s Megan Rapinoe at her farewell game — the most ever for an NWSL match. The NWSL’s previous attendance record was held by the San Diego Wave, with 32,000 fans showing up on September 18, 2022.
Tigst Assefa Sets New Marathon Record
September 24, 2023
Tigst Assefa set the new world record marathon time at the BMW Berlin Marathon, clocking in at 2:11:53. She is the only woman in history to run a marathon in under two hours 12 minutes — beating the previous record by over two minutes.
Rapinoe’s Farewell Game Broke the All-Time NWSL Attendance Record
October 6, 2023
34,130 fans filled Lumen Field to honor OL Reign’s Megan Rapinoe at her farewell game — the most ever for an NWSL match. The NWSL’s previous attendance record was held by the San Diego Wave, with 32,000 fans showing up on September 18, 2022.
Iowa vs. DePaul Broke NCAA Attendance Record
October 15, 2023
Iowa and DePaul University smashed the NCAA women’s basketball attendance record at their preseason bout in Kinnick Stadium. 55,646 fans attended the game in Iowa’s football stadium and witnessed Caitlin Clark casually drop a triple-double.
The NWSL Inks Landmark Media Rights Deal
November 9, 2023
Women’s soccer will now be more accessible to watch than ever, as the NWSL signed a major four-year broadcasting rights deal with CBS, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and Scripps Sports. The deal is worth $60M annually ($240M total) and is now the most significant broadcasting rights agreement for any women’s sports league.
Iowa vs. DePaul Broke NCAA Attendance Record
October 15, 2023
Iowa and DePaul University smashed the NCAA women’s basketball attendance record at their preseason bout in Kinnick Stadium. 55,646 fans attended the game in Iowa’s football stadium and witnessed Caitlin Clark casually drop a triple-double.
The NWSL Inks Landmark Media Rights Deal
November 9, 2023
Women’s soccer will now be more accessible to watch than ever, as the NWSL signed a major four-year broadcasting rights deal with CBS, ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, and Scripps Sports. The deal is worth $60M annually ($240M total) and is now the most significant broadcasting rights agreement for any women’s sports league.