The Huskies and Michigan drew the most viewers for an NCAA Tournament championship game since 2019.
UConn’s loss to Michigan on Monday was the most watched men’s national championship game since 2019, according to data released by the NCAA.
The game appeared on TBS, TNT, truTV and HBO Max and averaged 18.3 million viewers, the NCAA reported Wednesdat. It also was the most-watched NCAA Tournament title game to air on TNT Sports channels, besting the 2024 game by 23%. In that game, UConn defeated Purdue 75-60.
On Monday night, the Wolverines defeated the Huskies 69-63.
The peak number of viewers was 20.4 million, registered between 11 and 11:15 p.m. ET.
Overall, the NCAA said the coverage by TNT Sports and CBS Sports of the tournament averaged 10.9 million viewers, which made it the second-most watched tournament since 1994.
The men’s Final Four averaged 14.2 million viewers, which was up 11% from 2024. That included the altcast of the Michigan-Arizona semifinal game that featured the members of the Wolverines “Fab Five” team, Michigan’s vaunted 1991 recruiting class.
It was the most-viewed TNT Sports altcast in eight years.
Other viewership numbers reached by TNT and CBS this year: the highest number to watch the First Four and First Round ever, the most to watch the Second Round since 1993 and an increase in viewers on every Sweet 16 and Elite Eight game slot.
The men’s tournament also drew billions of eyes on social media, per the NCAA. Tournament content had close to 4 billion page views, an increase of 191% over 2025.
Football takes spotlight
A reminder that the Huskies’ spring football game is Saturday at 2 p.m. at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. It will be the first chance to see new head coach Jason Candle and the more than 60 new players on the roster in action.
Players will be stay around after the game for a meet-and-greet session with fans. This event also will feature Fan Fest games and attractions and a chance for tailgating -- along with that glance at the 2026 UConn football team.
Tickets to the game are free but must be claimed in advance. The parking lots at the stadium open at noon. Stadium gates open at 1 p.m.
The Huskies will open the season with back-to-back home games: Sept. 5 against Lafayette and Sept. 12 vs. Maryland.
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