The 2025 NWSL Championship drew a large audience, showing growing interest in women's soccer. Gotham FC defeated the Washington Spirit 1-0 to claim their second title in three years.
Gotham FC secured the 2025 NWSL Championship by defeating the Washington Spirit 1-0 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California. The winning goal came late in the match when Rose Lavelle scored in the 80th minute, giving Gotham their second championship in three seasons. The match was tightly contested, with both teams creating chances but remaining scoreless until the decisive goal.
The championship game attracted a peak audience of 1.55 million viewers, setting a new record for the league. This marked a significant increase compared to the previous year’s final, reflecting growing national interest in women's professional soccer. The postseason broadcasts averaged around 550,000 viewers across seven games on major networks, with a total audience of approximately 3.36 million, an 11 percent rise from last season.
Attendance during the playoffs reached a record 114,459 across seven matches, the highest ever for an NWSL postseason. The increase in viewers was especially notable among young adults aged 18 to 34, who grew by about 70 percent compared to the 2024 final. Social media activity also surged during the championship week, boosting merchandise sales and fan interaction both online and at the stadium.
The combination of record viewership, attendance, and social media engagement highlights the NWSL’s rising profile in the sports world. Continued investment and fan enthusiasm suggest a promising future for the league and the growth of women’s soccer in the United States and beyond.
