Most-watched sports telecasts, May 2018
Nielsen average audience, one figure per telecast; a final or revised figure replaces a preliminary one. Composites, peaks, reach and self-reported figures do not chart.
47
eligible telecasts
updated 2026-09-15
Most-watched sports telecasts, May 2018
1
NBA Finals Game 1, Cavaliers vs Warriors
17,670,000
2
Western Conference Finals Game 7, Rockets vs Warriors
14,929,000
3
Eastern Conference Finals Game 7, Cavaliers vs Celtics
13,591,000
4
Western Conference Finals Game 6, Rockets vs Warriors
9,471,000
5
Western Conference Finals Game 5, Rockets vs Warriors
9,322,000
6
Western Conference Finals Game 1, Rockets vs Warriors
8,902,000
7
Eastern Conference Finals Game 2, Cavaliers vs Celtics
8,417,000
8
Western Conference Finals Game 4, Rockets vs Warriors
8,372,000
9
Eastern Conference Finals Game 6, Cavaliers vs Celtics
8,273,000
10
Eastern Conference Finals Game 4, Cavaliers vs Celtics
7,939,000
11
Preakness Stakes
7,900,000
12
Western Conference Finals Game 3, Rockets vs Warriors
7,797,000
13
Western Conference Finals Game 2, Rockets vs Warriors
7,563,000
14
Eastern Conference Finals Game 5, Cavaliers vs Celtics
7,511,000
15
Eastern Conference Finals Game 1, Cavaliers vs Celtics
7,216,000
16
Eastern Conference Finals Game 3, Cavaliers vs Celtics
6,827,000
17
THE PLAYERS Championship Round 4
5,800,000
18
Stanley Cup Final Game 1, Capitals vs Golden Knights
5,195,000
19
Indianapolis 500
4,900,000
20
Eastern Conference Second Round Game 5, Capitals vs Penguins
4,260,000
21
Coca-Cola 600
4,100,000
22
Stanley Cup Final Game 2, Capitals vs Golden Knights
3,648,000
23
Quail Hollow Championship Round 4
2,900,000
24
AAA 400 Drive for Autism
2,800,000
25
Eastern Conference Final Game 7, Capitals vs Lightning
2,580,000
26
Byron Nelson Championship Round 4
2,270,000
27
Eastern Conference Second Round Game 5, Bruins vs Lightning
2,100,000
28
Eastern Conference Final Game 4, Capitals vs Lightning
2,050,000
29
KC Masterpiece 400
2,040,000
30
Eastern Conference Final Game 2, Capitals vs Lightning
1,900,000
31
Eastern Conference Second Round Game 4, Capitals vs Penguins
1,750,000
32
Eastern Conference Second Round Game 3, Capitals vs Penguins
1,710,000
33
Western Conference Second Round Game 7, Jets vs Predators
1,560,000
34
Eastern Conference Second Round Game 3, Bruins vs Lightning
1,500,000
35
Western Conference Final Game 3, Golden Knights vs Jets
1,390,000
36
Western Conference Second Round Game 6, Golden Knights vs Sharks
1,300,000
37
Western Conference Second Round Game 6, Jets vs Predators
1,200,000
38
Washington Nationals at Arizona Diamondbacks
1,200,000
39
Western Conference Second Round Game 4, Jets vs Predators
1,000,000
40
San Francisco Giants at Chicago Cubs
1,000,000
41
Houston Astros at New York Yankees
904,000
42
New York Yankees at Houston Astros
740,000
43
Tampa Bay Rays at Kansas City Royals
556,000
44
Kansas City Royals at Texas Rangers
536,000
45
St. Louis Cardinals at Minnesota Twins
411,000
46
Colorado Rockies at Los Angeles Dodgers
375,000
47
Oakland Athletics at Toronto Blue Jays
268,000
47 eligible telecasts · computed 2026-09-15 10:58 UTC