The championship series for both the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League have launched with impressive viewership figures, underscoring a significant appetite for high-stakes basketball and hockey in the 2025-2026 season. Both leagues are experiencing substantial gains in television audiences for their respective finals, according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter.
Game 1 of the 2026 NBA FinalsCompetition·NBA Finals, featuring a compelling rematch between the Eastern Conference champion New York KnicksTeam·New York Knicks and the Western Conference champion San Antonio SpursTeam·San Antonio Spurs, drew an audience of 16.93 million viewers on ABC. This marks the most-watched NBA FinalsCompetition·NBA Finals Game 1 for the network since 2018, representing a remarkable 90% surge in viewership compared to last year's series opener. The broadcast reached a peak of 19.63 million viewers at 11 p.m. ET, solidifying its position as the most-watched program of the day across all television in key male and adult demographics. The Knicks' presence in the Finals, representing the country's largest television market, is a significant factor in the elevated viewership, particularly as they do not share their home market with the Brooklyn NetsTeam·Brooklyn Nets. Additionally, the star power of Victor WembanyamaPlayer·Victor Wembanyama for the San Antonio SpursTeam·San Antonio Spurs has proven to be a considerable draw for audiences. This strong start follows a trend of elevated playoff viewership for the NBA, with the Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Oklahoma City ThunderTeam·Oklahoma City Thunder averaging 10.83 million viewers, and the Eastern Conference Finals, where the New York KnicksTeam·New York Knicks swept the Cleveland CavaliersTeam·Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 7.4 million viewers.
Similarly, the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, pitting the Eastern Conference champion Carolina HurricanesTeam·Carolina Hurricanes against the Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights, also opened with record-breaking numbers. Game 1, broadcast on ABC, averaged 4.78 million viewers, making it the highest-rated and most-watched Game 1 of a Cup Final since 2019. This figure represents a substantial 98% increase over Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final and a 54% increase from the 2024 opener. The audience peaked at 5.5 million viewers during the third period. The decision to air the Stanley Cup Final on ABC this year, as part of its rotation with TNT Sports, is contributing to the increased reach. The presence of two U.S.-based teams in the Final for the first time since 2023 also provides an additional boost in local market viewership. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman highlighted the league's record growth, with revenue valuation for the season estimated between $7.5 billion and $8 billion. He stated, "Every platform, every source of revenue is growing," expressing optimism for future U.S. media rights deals. ESPN NHL commentator Steve Levy also lauded the matchup, saying, "Sign me up for seven . This is a great series. If you're a hockey fan, regardless of who you root for, this is a terrific matchup."
Both leagues are benefiting from Nielsen's shift to a new "Big Data + Panel" ratings methodology in September 2025, which has generally led to an increase in viewership for live sports properties. However, the substantial percentage increases for both the NBA and NHL championship series suggest that the growth extends beyond just methodological adjustments, reflecting genuine heightened interest in the pinnacle of professional basketball and hockey.
Victor Wembanyama in action during the 2026 NBA Finals between the Spurs and Knicks. (PRESSE SPORTS/IMAGO)
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