Texas WCWS final win sets ESPN record with most-watched College softball game ever
The Texas Longhorns made history at the 2025 Women's College World Series, capturing their first-ever national championship and setting new television viewership records across all three games of the finals.
ESPN reported that the decisive Game 3 of the championship series averaged 2.4 million viewers and peaked at 2.7 million, making it the most-watched NCAA softball game ever. Games 1 and 2 also broke records, each averaging 2.1 million viewers—the highest ever for the opening two games of a WCWS final. Game 1 peaked at 2.8 million viewers, while Game 2 reached a peak of 2.6 million.
The all-Texas matchup between the Longhorns and Texas Tech Red Raiders marked the first time since 2004 that both championship participants hailed from the same state, reviving the storied rivalry from their Big 12 days. The series spotlighted a marquee pitching showdown between Texas ace Teagan Kavan and Texas Tech's NiJaree Canady. Kavan, who entered the finals with a perfect 3-0 record against Canady, extended her dominance to 5-0 after two more victories in the championship series.
Fans were treated to a dramatic three-game set. Game 1 delivered a classic pitchers' duel, featuring a controversial obstruction call and a bizarre game-winning hit for Texas in the sixth inning. The Red Raiders bounced back in Game 2, capitalizing on Texas errors to force a decisive Game 3. In the winner-take-all finale, the Longhorns erupted for five runs in the first inning, forcing Canady out of the game. A grand slam sealed Texas' commanding victory and their first national title in program history.
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