Crew USA’s three group-stage video games on the 2026 FIBA Girls’s Basketball World Cup have produced eye-catching TV numbers.
A number of WNBA followers credited the “Caitlin Clark impact” as all three matches ranked among the many most-watched video games in event historical past.
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WNBA Followers Level to Caitlin Clark As TNT Sports activities Shares Historic FIBA World Cup Viewership Numbers
In accordance with TNT Sports activities U.S., the USA-Italy recreation averaged 1.3 million viewers and peaked at 1.7 million. The USA-Czechia recreation averaged 1.2 million viewers, peaking at 1.4 million, whereas the USA-China opener averaged 577,000 and peaked at 694,000.
Meaning all three video games now sit inside the highest three most-watched FIBA Girls’s World Cup video games ever, in response to TNT Sports activities. USA-Italy additionally turned the most-watched ladies’s basketball recreation in TNT Sports activities historical past. The “record-breaking” numbers have been shared on X.
Crew USA opened the event with a cushty 94-61 win over China on Friday. Clark recorded 14 factors and 11 assists, whereas Paige Bueckers additionally scored 14 factors.
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Two days later, the Individuals had their hardest recreation of the group stage. Italy pushed Crew USA to the brink earlier than falling 55-52. The U.S. shot simply 28.6% from the sector and made solely 8.3% of its 3-point makes an attempt. Clark had simply 1 level in 19 minutes.
Crew USA bounced again in opposition to Czechia, profitable 105-64 to complete the group stage unbeaten. Breanna Stewart led the best way with 19 factors, whereas Clark completed with 9 factors and seven assists.
Apparently, the Indiana Fever guard performed 66 minutes throughout the three group-stage video games, essentially the most of any USA participant. She didn’t begin any of the three contests, however her minutes and position nonetheless made her one of many crew’s greatest attracts.
That has led some followers to consider the scores are one other instance of the “Caitlin Clark impact,” together with her reputation serving to carry extra consideration to Crew USA.
“Wow that is superb and sort of humorous that 1.3 million noticed that Italy recreation 😭🤣” one other fan added.
“Eye-popping numbers for USA’s three group-stage #FIBAWWC video games!” one other WNBA fan identified.
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One fan credited the “CC impact,” noting that the schedule was not pleasant to the U.S. viewers, whereas promotion across the video games additionally appeared restricted. Regardless of that, followers nonetheless turned up in massive numbers.
Fan curiosity has additionally carried over into the knockout stage. One supporter shared:
“I used to be up at 5:30 am this morning for the Hungary recreation.”
Crew USA went on to ship considered one of its greatest performances of the event, cruising previous Hungary 108-56 within the quarterfinals on Thursday.
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The Individuals scored a World Cup quarterfinal report 108 factors and set one other quarterfinal report with 31 assists. Clark chipped in 10 factors and 9 assists, whereas Napheesa Collier led all scorers with 19 factors.
Now, Crew USA heads into Saturday’s semifinal in opposition to Spain with one other probability to point out simply how massive its viewers can grow to be.
This text initially appeared on Professional Soccer Community.
