NCAA Lacrosse Championships Draw Combined 1.25 Million Viewers

Nearly 1.25 million viewers watched the NCAA men's and women's lacrosse championship games, according to Nielsen ratings released by ESPN.

The NCAA Division I men's championship game between Notre Dame and Princeton averaged 778,000 viewers, making it the most-watched men's final in 19 years and delivering a 37-percent increase in viewership compared to 2025.

ESPN televised the entire men's tournament, with first-round games and quarterfinals on ESPNU, semifinals on ESPN2 and the championship game on ESPN. Viewership overall was up 31 percent from last year, making it the most watched tournament in 13 years.

The NCAA Division I women's championship game between North Carolina and Northwestern averaged 470,000 viewers, marking the most-watched women’s final on record and an 83-percent increase compared to 2025. Viewership peaked at 657,000 late in the fourth quarter.

The entire women’s tournament — with early rounds on ESPN+, quarterfinals and semifinals on ESPNU and championship on ESPN — saw a 72-percent increase compared to 2025.