Most Watched sporting events in the? Check some here
1. Tour de France – 3.5 Billion Viewers
The preeminent event in cycling takes place each summer in France. In addition to being one of the most prestigious competitions in the sport, it is also one of the most difficult with a course that winds through the country’s scenic mountain roads.
The race consists of 21 stages totaling approximately 2,200 miles, raced over 23 days. Competitors race as part of an 8-person team, working together to achieve the fastest cumulative time.
Dating way back to 1903, the Tour de France has become one of the biggest events in the sporting world. A recent article estimates that 3.5 billion viewers worldwide tune in to watch the Tour de France every year.
2. World Cup of Soccer – 3.3 Billion Viewers
World Cup Soccer 3.262 billion viewers
In the same company as the Summer Games, the World Cup is right up there at the top in terms of popularity. This 32-team tournament (which will be expanded to 48 teams in 2026) features national soccer teams from around the globe competing until ultimately one team is crowned champion. Held quadrennially, the World Cup is the pinnacle event in the sport and boasts huge attendance numbers every year.
The 1950 Final game holds the record for attendance at a sporting event in an enclosed stadium with a whopping 199,854 spectators.
In terms of TV viewership, the World Cup numbers are regularly in the billions, with 3.262 billion (that’s half the world’s population!) tuning in in 2018.
3. Cricket World Cup – 2.6 Billion Viewers
North Americans may be surprised to find cricket on a list of most watched sporting events, but fans of the sport are well aware of how hugely popular cricket is in many parts of the world.
The Cricket World Cup is the international championship for One Day International cricket. The contest features ten teams and lasts just over six weeks. Like the soccer World Cup, the tournament takes place every four years, with the next Cricket World Cup scheduled for 2023 in India.
The 2019 Cricket World Cup, hosted by England and Wales, set a new record for viewership. An incredible 2.6 billion people tuned in, making it the most watched cricket event of all time.