The winner-take-all Game 3 of the 2019 NCAA College World Series saw more than 2 million viewers tune in to watch the Vanderbilt Commodores defeat the Michigan Wolverines and capture their second NCAA title in six years. The game’s 2,020,596 viewers, up +7% year-over-year, resulted in the most-watched baseball game on ESPN in 2019 and the most-watched Game 3 since 2014.

CWS Opener Boasts Big Audience
The opening game of the best-of-three College World Series Finals earned a total live audience of 1,890,036 viewers, up 4% year-over-year and besting 2018’s opener, which was then the best viewership for a Finals opener since 2014, based on Nielsen reporting numbers.

2019 Matches 2018’s Record Run
Both the College World Series and the CWS Finals in 2019 were on par with 2018’s record-setting run, as 1,133,346 viewers on average watched the action in Omaha this year. The CWS Finals averaged 1,961,000 viewers over three games, matching 2018’s three-game finals which saw Oregon State take home the trophy over Arkansas.

Michigan Maintains Four Most Viewed Matchups
The three-game CWS Finals boasted the top three viewership totals over the two weeks in Omaha. The Michigan Wolverines and the Florida State Seminoles, two of the final four teams into the NCAA Tournament bracket, accounted for the top five viewership totals in Omaha.