Sporting events unite people regardless of geographical boundaries, cultures, and languages. Their drama, thrill, and spectacle capture the imagination of billions around the world. Some events, for a myriad of reasons, result in billions of viewers tuning in and watching the action unfold from the comfort of their homes. In no particular order, here are five of the most-watched sporting events in history.
2022 FIFA World Cup Final
The FIFA World Cup Final is the pinnacle of international soccer, and the 2022 final, held in Qatar, was no exception. This match pitted Argentina against defending champions France at the Lusail Stadium, which was full to its 88,966 capacity. The odds from Las Vegas betting online sites could not split the teams, and matchgoers and those watching on television were treated to a spectacular soccer game.
The game finished 2-2, with France coming back from two-nil down after Kylian Mbappe scored two goals in as many minutes. Both teams scored in extra time before Argentina won 4-2 in the penalty shootout.
It was a thrilling final, with two of the world’s best teams going head-to-head on soccer’s biggest stage. FIFA revealed a worldwide television audience of 1.5 billion tuned into the match, surpassing the 1.1 billion who watched France beat Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup final.
The 2008 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony
The Olympic Games are the cornerstone of global sports, and their opening ceremonies are watched by billions around the globe. The 2008 Summer Olympics, held in Beijing, China, saw approximately two billion people watch the opening ceremony, an unsurprising figure considering China has a population of around 1.4 billion.
The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games is more than just a warm-up for the athletic competitions; it is a showcase of culture, art, unity, and the world-famous Olympic spirit. Host countries use the ceremony to put on a spectacular performance that highlights its cultural heritage, and Beijing was no different.
Renowned filmmaker Zhang Yimou directed the 2008 Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony, which many regard as the most impressive in the Games’ history. It featured approximately 15,000 performers, a dazzling fireworks display, state-of-the-art visual effects, and intricate choreography that had to be seen to be believed.
The 2019 Cricket World Cup
Cricket may not be popular in the United States, but it is loved in countries like Australia, India, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup is played every four years and is the most prestigious one-day international cricket competition.
The 2019 Cricket World Cup was held in England, with the hosts reaching the final against New Zealand. The game was broadcast on free-to-air television in the United Kingdom, which drew in 8.3 million viewers. However, on a global scale, the game was watched by an estimated 1.6 billion people.
England progressed to the final after edging out much-fancied Australia in the semi-finals, with New Zealand defeating India, the tournament’s favorite. The final is considered one of the best one-day international cricket matches ever played. It finished with both teams tied on 241 runs, leading to the match heading into a Super Over. Here, each team faced six balls, and the highest score would win.
Amazingly, both teams finished the Super Over tied on 15 runs, leading to the game being decided on the boundary count rule. England won 26-17 on the boundary count, becoming world champions for the first time after finishing as runners-up on three occasions.
The Tour de France
The Tour de France is so famous and popular that it is often watched by people who are not considered cycling fans. Known for its challenging routes, including steep mountain climbs, long flat stages, and time trials, the Tour de France puts the world’s best cyclists to the ultimate test.
First held in 1903, winning the Tour de France is considered the greatest achievement in cycling. The race’s prestige, combined with the unpredictability of the outcomes, captivates millions of viewers globally on each stage.
Although the Tour de France is not a single event—it features 21 stages over three weeks—the entire series is watched by a cumulative audience of around 3.5 billion people over the course of the race.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup
The 2018 FIFA World Cup was held in Russia, and the Russians spent a small fortune to ensure that the tournament on their soil was one to remember; the tournament cost a staggering $14.2 billion.
Viewing figures were helped by the host nation reaching the quarter-finals stage after finishing second in their group then defeating Spain on panalties in the Round of 16. Russia fell in the quarter-finals to Croatia, who reached the final by defeating England in extra time. France was Croatia’s opponent in the final, and what a final it was.
France won 4-2 to become soccer’s world champions for the second time, having won the title in 1998. Official figures show that 1.12 billion people watched the 2018 World Cup final on television, with a cumulative live audience of 12.24 billion across the tournament.
Conclusion
These five events—the FIFA World Cup finals of 2022 and 2018, the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony, the Tour de France, and the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup final—highlight the global passion for sports. Billions of viewers tune into their television sets for the love of the game, the stories, and the drama and to watch their heroes in action on the biggest stage.
Regardless of whether or not you’re a massive sports fan, there is no denying that sport brings people together like nothing else on the planet. From the spectacular goals of a soccer final to the super-human performances on the Tour de France, sport continues to inspire and entertain people worldwide.
