The NCAA Volleyball Season Begins with Record-Breaking Viewership: Post-Selection Show History!
The NCAA volleyball season kicked off in spectacular fashion following the exhilarating Big Ten action, and all eyes were on the highly anticipated selection show. This year, the stakes were higher than ever as Pittsburgh secured the coveted No. 1 spot, with Nebraska, Penn State, and Louisville rounding out the top four seeds. The excitement was palpable, and it wasn’t just the incredible matchups that had fans buzzing—it was another jaw-dropping viewership record!
ESPN proudly took to social media platform X to announce, “Last Sunday’s @NCAAVolleyball Selection Show saw its best audience EVER as 268K viewers tuned in to see the ’24 season 64-team bracket unveiled.” The excitement is undeniable; the sport is reaching a wider audience than ever before, and volleyball fans from across the country tuned in to make history. This milestone is yet another indicator of what is shaping up to be an unforgettable season for NCAA volleyball. With viewership skyrocketing, the sport has entered a golden age—and the post-selection show history continues to impress.
Volleyball Smashes Viewership Records
But the momentum didn’t stop there. ESPN hit up X on December 4th, revealing more jaw-dropping stats on NCAA volleyball’s spectacular growth. According to the post, “@NCAAVolleyball scores its best regular season EVER on ESPN platforms,” and the numbers don’t lie. Fans consumed an incredible 635 million minutes of NCAA volleyball content—a figure that translates into an average of 140,000 viewers per game. Compared to the previous year, that’s a remarkable 21% surge in viewers! The increased reach, passion, and enthusiasm of the volleyball community are transforming this sport into a true national sensation.
In terms of demographics, the stats are equally impressive. Female viewership spiked by 20%, and viewers aged 18-24 shot up by an astonishing 70%. Even the youngest of fans—ages 2 to 17—joined the volleyball movement, posting a 90% jump in viewership! Clearly, NCAA volleyball isn’t just thriving; it’s serving, spiking, and leaping its way into the hearts of an ever-growing, diverse audience.
Thrilling Matchups and Record-Breaking Moments
This season is already proving to be one for the books. Earlier this year, Nebraska and Stanford faced off at the iconic Bob Devaney Sports Center, pulling in a peak of 325,000 viewers. Not far behind, Louisville and Kentucky faced off in a nail-biting match that drew in 318,000 peak viewers on ESPN. Texas versus Baylor also impressed with a peak viewership of 296,000, just shy of the 300K mark.
Pittsburgh volleyball fan James Santelli provided some insightful analysis, noting that men’s college basketball averages 299,000 viewers on ESPN2 and 248,000 on BTN. “Volleyball on TV is rising,” Santelli tweeted, emphasizing the courage these volleyball programs show by fearlessly scheduling tough matchups. It’s evident—this season’s momentum is no fluke. A glance at last year’s incredible stats shows us that NCAA volleyball has grown beyond expectations and is primed for even more success.
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Setting the Bar High—The Rise of Women’s Sports
The bar for volleyball viewership is set high—and it’s a trend that continues to grow. Last year’s stats didn’t just raise the bar; they obliterated it! A jaw-dropping 19,727 fans packed into Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, setting an indoor volleyball attendance record. The TV ratings were just as mind-blowing. A total of 1.7 million viewers tuned in to watch the final game on ABC—a whopping 115% jump from the previous year’s 786,000! Women’s volleyball’s ascension to primetime cannot be overlooked, as the numbers continue to climb and inspire future generations.
And let’s not forget—the rise of women’s sports, in general, is something to celebrate! Caitlin Clarke’s stardom led to the NCAA Women’s March Madness final raking in 18.8 million viewers, with the South Carolina vs. Iowa game claiming the title of the most-watched basketball game in the past five years. Volleyball may be taking over, but women’s basketball is right there bringing the heat—and viewers are absolutely loving it!
