The Chicago Sky and Indiana Fever’s first WNBA game at the United Center drew a sold-out crowd and strong viewership. The game, which took place on Saturday, saw the Fever secure a 79-52 victory despite the absence of star guard Caitlin Clark due to a quadriceps injury. The Sky also faced a setback as star player Courtney Vandersloot sustained a severe knee injury during the match, with a return timeline still uncertain.
The venue, the United Center, was filled with over 19,000 fans, making it the first WNBA game to be held at the Chicago Bulls’ home arena. This event was a significant milestone for the league, with more fans attending in person than ever before. Meanwhile, the game attracted an average of 1.92 million viewers, according to the WNBA, which marked the third highest viewership for a game carried by CBS. The peak audience reached 2.16 million, indicating the growing popularity of the WNBA on national television.
The game’s success was further highlighted by its historical context. Previously, the two teams had met in May, where the Fever’s 93-58 victory set a record with a peak of 3.1 million viewers, making it the most-viewed regular season game in 25 years. The current game, with its record-breaking viewership, shows the WNBA’s increasing national appeal and the growing fanbase for the league. The Fever’s victory continued their strong season, improving their record, while the Sky’s 2-5 start in the 2025 season places them below only the Connecticut Sun and Dallas Wings in the standings.
Despite the game’s success, some challenges remain. The United Center was operating at a slightly reduced capacity due to ongoing construction, which limited the arena’s usual 21,000 seating capacity to 19,496. However, the game managed to draw a full house, indicating strong fan support for the two teams. The WNBA’s ability to draw large audiences continues to grow, with this game standing as a testament to the league’s rising popularity and the fanbase’s enthusiasm for the sport.