Below are national TV viewership figures for past FCS playoff games. The 2020-21 season was moved to the spring due to COVID, which ultimately impacted the number of viewers.
The two sections below are the numbers broken down by year and by round. The years go until 2018, while the national championship ratings at the bottom go until the 2012 season. The Celebration Bowl is included for comparison.
Years
2021 Spring
Quarterfinals:
NDSU vs. SHSU (ESPN) — 328K
UND vs. JMU (ESPN2) — 251K
SDSU vs. SIU (ESPN2) — 219K
Semifinals:
JMU vs. SHSU (ABC) — 706K
Delaware vs. SDSU (ESPN) — 520K
Championship:
SDSU vs. SHSU (ABC) — 905K
2019
Quarterfinals:
NDSU vs. Illinois State (ESPN) — 1.78 million
UNI vs. JMU (ESPN2) — 563K
Montana vs. Weber State (ESPN2) — 438K
Semifinals:
Montana State vs. NDSU (ESPN2) — 518K
Championship:
NDSU vs. JMU (ABC) — 2.68 million
Celebration Bowl:
Alcorn State vs. NC A&T (ABC) — 1.8 million
2018
Quarterfinals:
Maine vs. Weber State (ESPN2) — 566K
Colgate vs. NDSU (ESPN) — 1.81 million
Semifinals:
SDSU vs. NDSU (ESPN2) — 846K
Maine vs. EWU (ESPN2) — 448K
Championship:
NDSU vs. EWU (ESPN2) — 1.00 million
Celebration Bowl:
NC A&T vs. Alcorn State (ABC) — 2.3 million
Round
Quarterfinals
2021 Spring Quarterfinals:
NDSU vs. SHSU (ESPN) — 328K
UND vs. JMU (ESPN2) — 251K
SDSU vs. SIU (ESPN2) — 219K
2019 Quarterfinals:
NDSU vs. Illinois State (ESPN) — 1.78 million viewers
UNI vs. JMU (ESPN2) — 563K
Montana vs. Weber State (ESPN2) — 438K
2018 Quarterfinals:
Maine vs. Weber State (ESPN2) — 566K
Colgate vs. NDSU (ESPN) — 1.81 million
Semifinals
2021 Spring Semifinals:
JMU vs. SHSU (ABC) — 706K
Delaware vs. SDSU (ESPN) — 520K
2019 Semifinals:
Montana State vs. NDSU (ESPN2) — 518K
2018 Semifinals:
SDSU vs. NDSU (ESPN2) — 846K
Maine vs. EWU (ESPN2) — 448K
Championship
2021 Spring Championship:
SDSU vs. SHSU (ABC) — 905K
2019 Championship:
NDSU vs. JMU (ABC) — 2.68 million
2018 Championship:
NDSU vs. EWU (ESPN2) — 1.00 million
2017 Championship:
NDSU vs. JMU (ESPN2) — 1.52 million
2016 Championship:
JMU vs. YSU (ESPN2) — 1.56 million
2015 Championship:
NDSU vs. Jacksonville State (ESPN2) — 1.35 million
2014 Championship:
NDSU vs. Illinois State (ESPN2) — 1.44 million
2013 Championship:
NDSU vs. Towson (ESPN2) — 1.2 million
2012 Championship:
NDSU vs. SHSU (ESPN2) — 1.1 million
