15 Most Watched Sporting Events You Might Be Missing

The FIFA World Cup is the most watched sports event on the planet, and by a wide margin. The World Cup transcends countries and cultures, with an expected 5 billion spectators tuning in for the 2022 final between Argentina and France.

It brings nations together behind their teams, sparks fierce rivalries, and produces shared memories that last a lifetime.

Soccer is accessible to anyone, regardless of language or background, due to its simple yet globally understood rules.

This accessibility, along with the raw emotion and drama of the competition, provides a one-of-a-kind unifying force that unites fans around the world in a global celebration of the beautiful game.

The Tour de France is undeniably a great sporting event with a devoted fan base and an astonishing global reach, with an estimated 3.5 billion viewers in recent years.

This sport is indisputably popular, drawing millions of viewers from around the world as it is the most watched event in the world.

The Tour de France is a three-week epic that captivates billions of fans around the world. Its enormous appeal stems from a combination of fierce competition, stunning landscapes, human drama, and the peculiar fascination of endurance.

The Cricket World Cup is without a doubt one of the most watched sporting events in the world, with a devoted fan base and billions of fans tuning in during its main competitions.

The number of people watching the Cricket World Cup is astounding. The 2019 edition, hosted in England and Wales, drew a projected 2.6 billion viewers, with the India-Pakistan group stage match alone drawing more than 1 billion.

Cricket, also known as a "gentleman's game," values fair play and respect.

The FIFA Women's World Cup is a shining star among the world's most-watched sporting events, and rightly so. It's a celebration of athletic greatness, empowerment, and worldwide unity that draws billions of viewers and inspires millions more.

The 2019 Women's World Cup in France drew an estimated 2 billion spectators, demonstrating the sport's enormous global impact. The FIFA World Cup is the most viewed sporting event, no matter if it is men's or women's.

The Summer Olympics are certainly among the most-watched sporting events on the planet, attracting billions of people and displaying a dazzling array of physical accomplishments.

With over 200 countries represented and over 30 sports, the Olympics is a global spectacle. Seeing athletes from many origins compete on the same stage promotes an international feeling of solidarity and shared human experience.

The Summer Olympics have a distinct and well-deserved place among the most-watched sporting events.

The Winter Olympics may not always top the rankings in terms of pure viewership when compared to behemoths such as the FIFA World Cup or Summer Olympics, but it deserves to be among the most-watched sporting events.

While estimates vary, the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing garnered approximately 2 billion viewers.

Although, the Winter Olympics may not always be the most popular sporting event, its exciting action, distinct appeal, cultural significance, and unifying power make it an important member of the most-watched sporting events family.

Even if it does not have the astronomical audience viewership of the FIFA World Cup or Summer Olympics, the UEFA Champions League Final deserves a significant place among the most-watched sporting events.

The Champions League Final between Manchester City and Chelsea had an estimated 450 million viewers globally, according to various estimations.

As football is one of the most watched sports in the world, this amazing reach extends beyond Europe's traditional strongholds, reaching followers in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

The Super Bowl, the NFL's championship game, unquestionably deserves to be among the most-watched athletic events, despite its focus on the United States.

Even though the Super Bowl is not the most viewed sporting event, it is the most important sporting event in the United States.

The game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles was most watched Super Bowl by an estimated 115.1 million people on Fox, Fox Deportes, and streaming networks, marking it the most-watched television broadcast in American history.

Wimbledon attracts millions of fans globally, despite its largely British audience. It drew a projected 25.6 million viewers, with the men's final drawing 11.3 million on the BBC.

This extraordinary reach extends beyond Europe and North America's traditional tennis strongholds, reaching followers in Asia, Africa, and South America.

Wimbledon has a rich history dating back to 1877, attracting legendary players and memorable moments. Even within tennis, individual tournaments like the US Open can sometimes pull in slightly higher viewership figures.

The NBA Finals reign supreme in the United States. The series between the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors averaged 17.8 million viewers across all platforms, making it the most-watched NBA playoffs in more than five years.

This viewership outnumbers most other big sporting events in the United States as it is the most watched sporting event in America.

The NBA Finals, like the Super Bowl, transcends the game itself, becoming a cultural event woven into the fabric of American society.

The Rugby World Cup, held every four years, is one of the world's most-watched sporting events.

Figures from the recent World Cup of Rugby tournament show that the event's popularity continues to rise, with a peak of 17 million viewers tuning in to the tournament's first game between France and New Zealand, a higher viewership level than most final games during previous tournaments.

It is held every four years, but its viewership does not reach the consistency of major events like the Olympics or major football leagues.

The Kentucky Derby, first conducted in 1875, is the country's oldest continually held major sporting event. Its lengthy and illustrious history has helped to create a sense of tradition and continuity that draws spectators in.

The 2023 edition received an estimated 16.6 million viewers, making it the most-watched sporting event since the Super Bowl and the second most-watched broadcast of the year.

Horse racing, notably the Kentucky Derby, is heavily influenced by gambling.

The Masters Tournament, held each year at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, is the most watched sporting event in the world and a prestigious golf event.

Despite its slower pace in comparison to other sports, the Masters provides thrilling action. While the Masters is largely popular in the United States, worldwide interest is growing.

It is considered the most prestigious tournament in golf, attracting the best players in the world and generating significant hype. As it is held annually in April, it arrives during a lull in many other major sports calendars, capturing undivided attention.

Although sporting event viewership varies from year to year, the MLB World Series has historically been one of the most-watched events in baseball.

The Masters has been televised on CBS for many years, and the network's coverage is well-known for its quality and tradition. The classic theme music and distinctive comments on the network add to the entire viewing experience.

The Masters is recognized for having fewer commercial breaks than other sporting events. This allows viewers to see more of the competition and the stunning Augusta National course.

The NCAA Final Four is without a doubt one of the most watched events in collegiate sports and basketball. It is the championship game of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, also known as "March Madness."

The men's championship game between UConn and San Diego State was seen by an estimated 14.7 million people on CBS, making it one of the year's most-watched television broadcasts.

While viewership for the women's Final Four is often smaller, it still draws millions of viewers and has a devoted following.