Women’s college hoops is trending—and quite frankly, it’s about time. It went from sold-out arenas and standing-room-only student sections to Hollywood starlets and prime-time TV exposure. There’s excitement surrounding the women’s game like never before. But if you want to know where the heart of the sport truly resides, check out the fans. Particularly the ones turning up game after game, in sunshine or rainy weather.
Let’s break down the top five women’s basketball fan bases by attendance—and trust us, these crowds bring the heat.
The Top 5 Fan Bases in Women’s College Basketball
1. South Carolina Gamecocks
Welcome to Columbia, where Dawn Staley has constructed a dynasty—and where the fans have constructed a wall of sound. The Gamecocks didn’t merely top the NCAA in attendance last year—they overwhelmed. In 2023-24, South Carolina averaged 17,602 fans per home game, a new program record and No. 1 in the nation. For the entire season, that meant more than 264,000 screaming fans rolling through Colonial Life Arena.
This is not a bandwagon audience either. Gamecock Nation turns up annually, and their fans have propelled the likes of Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke, and Kamilla Cardoso into superstardom. If ESPN or ABC calls, they are doing it because they are aware that South Carolina fans pack big-game intensity night in and night out.
2. UConn Huskies
There’s no discussion of women’s basketball that doesn’t include UConn. Geno Auriemma’s dynasty has claimed 11 national championships, and the Storrs and Hartford faithful still give every game the same March Madness fervor. Even in injury-plagued seasons or “rebuilding” times (which, let’s be honest, still translate to Final Four trips), UConn faithful fill the building. In 2023-24, they averaged 9,000–10,000 fans per game, consistently putting them among the top five in the country.
What makes UConn fans special? They have a sense of hoops. Winning isn’t what this is about—Huskies fans recognize crisp pick-and-rolls, intelligent passes, and tough defense. And when Caitlin Clark or Angel Reese rolls into town, you know it’s all standing room.
3. Louisville Cardinals
Louisville may not have as many titles as UConn or Tennessee, but don’t be deceived—Cardinals fans live for women’s basketball. In fact, during the 2022–23 season, Louisville was third in the country in home attendance with an average of more than 9,500 fans per game. That sort of crowd makes the KFC Yum! Center a thunderdome, particularly when ACC opponents visit.
The Jeff Walz era has seen the addition of top talent such as Angel McCoughtry and Hailey Van Lith (prior to her transfer), and fans have greeted them with loyalty and noise. Louisville’s fan base combines old-school passion with new-age enthusiasm—and it makes them one of the best fan bases in the country, year after year.
4. Tennessee Lady Volunteers
If you desire history, it begins in Knoxville. Pat Summitt established women’s college basketball, and her legacy is still felt with the Tennessee faithful. Thompson-Boling Arena still attracts massive audiences, with fans consistently being top five or six material every year. During the 2023-24 season, the Lady Vols averaged an approximate 8,800 in attendance per contest, which would make many men’s teams jealous.
What sets Tennessee apart? Tradition. Lady Vol fans are multi-generational, and they support the program whether it’s contending for national titles or going through a transition year. You’ll see orange shirts that say “Summitt Built” for a reason—this isn’t just a fan base, it’s a family.
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame completes the top five, and it’s not football-only in South Bend. Muffet McGraw made the Irish a national power, and Niele Ivey is continuing to pass that torch to the next generation. Purcell Pavilion fans are famous for arriving in force, particularly for rivalry games and tournament drives.
The Fighting Irish had a home attendance average of more than 8,000 in several recent years and remain one of the loudest venues in the nation. They’ve shown dedication to superstars such as Arike Ogunbowale and Olivia Miles in supporting the program’s national brand. They’re loud, proud, and appreciate a buzzer-beater.
Why The Fan Base Matters?
Let’s be clear: attendance is not a number. It’s an indicator of investment, tradition, and passion for the game. These top five fan bases have shown that women’s basketball is worthy of the spotlight—and their sold-out arenas prove the sport is finally receiving the attention it deserves.
But this revolution isn’t letting up. The explosion of NIL deals, national TV deals, and a new generation of megastars such as JuJu Watkins, Hannah Hidalgo, and Paige Bueckers is only going to continue to make these crowds larger and more charged. Fan bases are going to be more important than ever as programs battle for visibility and recruits.
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Ultimately, these fans are not only cheering—they’re flipping the script. And as the sport continues to expand, more schools will emerge to push these dynasties. For now, though, South Carolina, UConn, Louisville, Tennessee, and Notre Dame proudly hold the title of the sport’s loudest and most devoted.
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