The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, which concluded on April 7 in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, enthralled millions of basketball fans across the United States. The game between the Florida Gators and the Houston Cougars received an astonishing 18.1 million viewers, making it the most-watched college basketball game of the season.
Men’s College Basketball Championship in 2025: A Record-Breaking Finale
The 2025 NCAA basketball final wowed spectators with record attendance, high broadcast ratings, and outstanding performances. From historic victories to established powerhouses recovering triumph, the tournament provided narratives befitting of the March Madness tradition.
The Alamodome in San Antonio welcomed a sold-out crowd of 68,252 for the Final Four semifinals, while overall tournament attendance reached 700,000 for the third consecutive year. It is the longest such period six years in a row from 2012 to 2017. Fans from all 50 states and 26 countries attended.
The national championship game between Florida and Houston drew an average of 18.1 million viewers on CBS, a 22% increase from the previous year’s title game. The broadcast peaked at 21.1 million people, the highest championship viewership since 2019.
The men’s Final Four semifinal games drew an average of 15.5 million viewers across TBS, TNT, and truTV, the highest since 2017 and a 21% increase over 2024.
The tournament averaged 9.4 million viewers per game through the round of 32, the highest since 1993. The first four TruTV games also set a record, with 7.4 million viewers.
Florida won its third national championship, and first since 2007, by rallying past Houston, 65-63. The Gators trailed by 12 points early in the second half before overcoming their deficit. Four of their six NCAA tournament wins came after trailing by six or more points in the second half.
Senior guard Walter Clayton Jr., who had gone scoreless in the first half, scored 11 points in the second half and sealed the victory with a game-saving defensive stop. Florida completed 36-4, riding a 12-game winning run to the championship.
The record-breaking viewership for the 2025 championship demonstrates NCAA basketball’s expanding worldwide appeal. As the tournament continues to draw a varied audience, future editions are expected to build on this trend, confirming March Madness’ status as a prominent sporting event globally.
Also Read: Why Bronny James Chose USC: Breaking Down His Recruitment Process
The 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship was not only thrilling, but it also set a new viewership record, demonstrating college basketball’s endured appeal and enthusiasm.
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