By Alyssa Budke, Senior Marketing Manager, Sales Enablement
As the sports landscape continues to evolve, one of the biggest transformations is the rising influence of women’s sports. With unprecedented growth in viewership, sponsorship, and social engagement, they have cultivated one of the most energized and fast-growing fan bases. The era of women’s sports as a disruptive force in the advertising world has arrived, and when you work with Yieldmo, you can align with this movement to reap the rewards.
Women Athletes Are Digital Powerhouses
84% of fans who watch women’s sports also actively engage with the teams and athletes on social media.
Engaged fans are fueling the rise of women’s sports, and social media is the driving force behind the momentum. Athletes like Caitlin Clark, Ilona Maher, and Coco Gauff are not just stars in their respective sports, they’re digital powerhouses, building direct relationships with fans in ways that traditional media never could. Clark’s deep three-pointers dominate highlight reels across Instagram and Twitter, Maher’s unfiltered humor on TikTok has brought new eyes to rugby, and Gauff’s candid posts on activism and tennis make her a leader beyond the court.
These athletes are creating viral moments that extend beyond game time, turning casual viewers into lifelong fans. For advertisers, this shift means that engagement isn’t just about TV ratings—it’s about meeting fans where they already are.
A Consistently Growing Market
The 2024 NCAA Women's National Championship game peaked at 24 million viewers, an 89% increase over 2023 and a 285% rise from 2022.
The National Women's Soccer League saw a 285% growth in viewership over last season.
The statistics surrounding women’s sports in the U.S. are hard to ignore. TV viewership for women’s sports has reached new heights, with events like the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and the Women’s World Cup breaking records year after year. We’re seeing growth across all sports, proving that fans are showing up and investing in women’s sports like never before.
Not Your Typical Sports Fan
84% of women’s sports fans engage with brands that sponsor their favorite leagues and teams.
Fans of women’s sports are a dynamic, highly engaged audience that brands can’t afford to overlook. What sets them apart is their diversity: 56% are women, a demographic usually underrepresented in traditional sports advertising. They also have significant buying power, being 43% more likely to have a household income over $100K. With 61% of fans watching at least one game per week, they offer consistent, passionate engagement, making them a key demographic for brands seeking to connect with a committed, diverse, and financially influential group.
Getting in on the Action
Women’s sports ads brought 40% more ad impact than the average primetime ad last year.
That’s not hype, it’s proof. Live, in-game CTV inventory for women’s sports is here, and we’ve got it. Fans are locked in and more engaged than ever, especially when brands step up to champion the athletes they admire with creative tailored to the moment.
Want in? We’ll put your brand right in the center of the action and ensure your message resonates.
From the first whistle to post-game replays and everything in between, we connect you to fans in real time. Our exclusive women’s sports inventory—combined with our new, innovative supply slicing and creative tailoring—means smarter targeting, higher impact, and unmatched visibility. Whether through High-Impact, Video, CTV, Native, or Display, we deliver a true omni-channel experience that keeps your brand in play at every touchpoint.
Let’s go for the win.
Sources
- Nielsen Report on Sports Viewership (2023) https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/
- FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Viewership Statistics https://www.fifa.com/womensworldcup/
- Nielsen Study on Engagement with Women’s Sports (2019) https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/
- Deloitte Gen Z Study (2023) https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/consumer/gen-z-and-millennials.html
- McKinsey & Company Report on Sponsorship in Women’s Sports https://www.mckinsey.com/
- PWC Global Sports Survey (2023) https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/sports-business.html
- NWSL Viewership Growth (2022) https://www.nwslsoccer.com/
- WNBA Viewership Growth (2022) https://www.wnba.com/
- By the Numbers: (2024) https://www.togethxr.com/blogs/guides/by-the-numbers-2024
- EDO TV Outcomes Report (2025): https://www.edo.com/
- Women’s Sports Score Huge 56% Increase in Ad Impact (2025): https://www.adweek.com
