The stunning showdown between the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Texas Longhorns in the NCAA Volleyball Tournament not only recorded the highest viewership and attendance, but also left the NBA and G-League top-rated in viewership.
The encounter recorded a massive viewership of 1.7 million fans who watched the match live on ABC. The showdown, which took place on Sunday, December 18, 2023, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, set the record for the highest viewership of any college volleyball match.
The Huskers vs Longhorns battle toppled the sensational Northwest Derby viewership, clocking in at 1.26 million on NBC according to Sports Media Watch. The NCAA showdown, in which the Texas Longhorns dominated the Huskers 3-0, overshadowed viewership for the compelling rivalry between English soccer clubs Manchester United and Liverpool, who tied 0-0.
Aside from its success in Premier League viewership, the volleyball tournament also surpassed the viewership of every NBA matchup held over the weekend, including Bucks vs. Pistons, Hornets vs. 76ers, Cavaliers vs. Hawks, and Warriors vs. Nets, which It recorded an attendance of 18,064.
Besides breaking the record for highest television viewership, the NCAA volleyball game also had the highest attendance of any NCAA indoor volleyball game, with 19,727 fans cheering and supporting their teams, 51% of whom included female fans.
The NCAA clash reached a peak of 2.1 million views. Viewership is up about 115% from last year, with female viewers up about 151%.
The Texas Longhorns won their second straight NCAA volleyball tournament title after defeating the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
