Our world is truly a world of sport. From fast-paced soccer (football to many) to the rough-and-tumble arena of football and rugby, the spectrum of sports is almost endless.
The most popular sporting events are those that bring fans together to celebrate their love of athletics and competition in a grand spectacle, with the Super Bowl, the World Cup Final, the Olympics Opening Ceremonies, and the World Series being prime examples.
Let’s take a closer look at the world’s most popular sporting events:
- FIFA World Cup (Soccer)
The world’s most popular sporting event by a long shot, the FIFA World Cup is the most widely viewed event in television history and 32 nations on every continent participate. The tournament occurs every four years, with billions watching the championship matches internationally.
- Olympics
The Olympics is the world’s second most popular sporting event. This international competition consists of summer and winter sports competitions with over 100 participating countries.
- UEFA Champions League (Soccer)
The Champions League is an international club tournament organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It’s one of two annual club competitions that award the coveted trophy, the other being the Copa Libertadores.
- Cricket World Cup (Cricket)
The Cricket World Cup is an international cricket competition organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) every four years. The event has grown in popularity, especially among India’s 1.3 billion people and other Asian fans.
- Super Bowl (American Football)
Football’s grandest spectacle also attracts a huge international audience. Fans from all over the world tune in to see the culmination of a season-long battle between two teams representing two conferences.
- Wimbledon Tennis Tournament (Tennis)
Thousands of tennis players travel to Wimbledon from across the globe each year. Broadcasting to an international audience, the Wimbledon Tennis Tournament is the most prestigious of all tennis events. It is the oldest of the four Grand Slam tournaments and has been held annually in London since 1877.
Are there any sporting events that you think should be added to the list? Let us know in the comments below!