LSU-Arkansas classic at the College World Series delivers record ratings
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Heading into the championship series between LSU and Coastal Carolina on Saturday night, the College World Series in Omaha is averaging 1 million viewers across ESPN’s platforms.
And Wednesday night’s SEC showdown between LSU and Arkansas was a ratings bonanza for the Worldwide Leader. According to ESPN, 1.91 million viewers tuned in to watch the Tigers erase a 2-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth to walk off the Razorbacks and clinch their spot in the finals. The game was the fourth most-watched MCWS game on record (excluding Finals games).
Overall viewership is down a bit this season compared to last, which was already down from a record number in 2023. The 2024 College World Series averaged 1.56 million viewers. The 2023 MCWS set a record with an average of 1.65 million viewers. LSU won the title that year, battering Florida in Game 3 of the Championship Series and setting a CWS ratings record for viewers in the process (3.59 million).
Last year’s title series between Tennessee and Texas A&M averaged the second-most viewers on record (2.82). Game 2 and Game 3 each peaked with over 4 million viewers, and the conclusive Game 3 averaged 3.34 million to make it the second-most watched Game 3 ever.
We’ll see how this year’s championship series fares. LSU certainly draws a crowd, and the Tigers are the favorite in the latest College World Series odds.
Game 1 between LSU and Coastal Carolina is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN on Saturday. Game 2 will take place at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. If necessary, Game 3 will take place Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
