NBA and NHL Playoffs Hit High Viewership as Seasons Conclude

As the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Hockey League (NHL) seasons approach their conclusion, playoff viewership for both leagues has reached significant multi-year highs. While both professional organizations are seeing increased engagement, the NBA has reported record-breaking numbers during its opening round of competition.

NBA First Round Viewership Records

The 2026 NBA Playoffs have delivered the most-watched first round in 33 years. According to an official release from the NBA, the opening round of the playoffs averaged 3.91 million viewers per game. This viewership was distributed across several major broadcasting and streaming platforms, including ABC, ESPN, NBC/Peacock, and Amazon Prime Video.

Historic Game 7 Viewership Milestone

A primary driver of the increased viewership occurred during the matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics. On May 2, 2026, the 76ers secured a 109-100 road victory in Game 7. The broadcast of this game averaged 11 million viewers on NBC/Peacock.

This performance set two major benchmarks: the contest was the most-watched first-round Game 7 in history and the most-watched first-round game in 27 years. The high level of interest in the 76ers-Celtics series contributed significantly to the overall record-setting nature of the 2026 opening round.

Season-Wide Engagement and Growth

The momentum seen in the playoffs follows a historic regular season for the NBA. During the regular season, an estimated 170 million people in the United States watched NBA games. These broadcasts were available via ABC/ESPN, Amazon Prime Video, NBC/Peacock, and NBA TV.

This total represents the highest viewership in 24 years. The 170 million viewers mark represents an 86% increase in viewership year-over-year. This surge in audience engagement provided a foundation for the record-breaking viewership numbers now being recorded during the postseason.