1. What Is The Most Watched Sporting Event In The World History
2. What Is The Most Watched Sporting Event In The World 2018
3. The Most Watched Sporting Event In The World
4. What Is The Most Watched Sporting Event In The World Live

What is the most popular sport in the world?

An instrument of socio-economic change, sports has done more than entertain us.

It has helped build one of the most vibrant economic systems the world has seen.

In some of the world’s most prosperous economies, revenue generated from entertaining sports activities has helped increase economic growth.

A testament to this fact is the effect sport has had on the Gross Domestic Revenue (GDP) of the United States.

The event is organised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament which is held every four years (ODI) and after every two years T 20. The tournament is the world’s fourth-largest and fourth-most-viewed sporting event. Their best event: First Robotics is a competition series in an inspiring lineup of other global events that bring young people from all over the world together. Once there, participants can try their hand at creating new robots using the Autodesk suite of products. More than 600,000 people watched the event online. The world finals in 2017, held in Beijing's Olympic 'Bird's Nest' stadium, sold out to a crowd of 40,000, the total number of seats made.

According to reports, more than 3.2 billion people watched the FIFA World Cup 2018. It is by far the most watch sporting event in the world. Relevancy Throughout the Year: No matter what part of the year it is, you will always find some news related to football in the sports headlines. The major leagues around the world have their season’s.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, revenue generated from professional sports accounts for approximately 1% of its GDP, thus shaping the 21st-century economy’s face.

There exist various forms of sports, and we have presented conclusively, the top-10 most popular sports in the world, as of 2021.

Our ranking is based on the estimated number of fans, including global audience reach (TV views), online popularity (social media and search results), gender equality, sponsorship/endorsement deals, and the primary population region.

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The Most Popular Sports In The World

10. Golf – 450 Million Fans

Golf has an estimated fan base of about 450 million people worldwide.

It is most prevalent in North America, Western Europe, and East Asia regions.

In golf, players try to put the ball into a hole with the fewest possible strokes.

What Is The Most Watched Sporting Event In The World History

According to GOLF.com, about 441 million golf rounds were played in the United States in 2019 alone.

The sport receives worldwide sponsorships from top brands such as BMW, Cadillac, Rolex, Adidas, Nike, and several others.

9.Rugby – 475 Million Fans

As an all-gender inclusive sport, rugby is a sport that attracts as many as 10 million players worldwide.

Rugby is a contact sports quite similar to American football.

However, while rugby players were little protective equipment, American football players were a lot, such as helmets and pads.

The sport is trendy in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and other commonwealth nations.

The just-concluded Rugby world cup in Japan gathered a lot of attention online as various countries make history and record surprising upsets.

The most prestigious tournament in rugby attracts the best names in the world of rugby, as well as top brands that commit significant funds in sponsorship.

Brands such as MasterCard, Heineken, Emirates, DHL, and Toshiba, who sponsored the 2019 Rugby World Cup, help in building the popularity base of the game.

8. Baseball – 500 Million Fans

Not only is baseball a pastime sport in America, but it is also most popular in the Caribbean and East Asia.

The Major League Baseball (MLB), the pinnacle of baseball leagues globally, has about 500 million fans globally.

In a test of gender equality, male players grossly dominate the sport.

Baseball attracts sponsorships by top brands such as Mastercard, Chevrolet, and Papa John’s.

7. Basketball – 825 Million Fans

A trendy sport, which American-Canadian teacher James Naismith invented, basketball is now played globally with an estimated 825 million fans.

Basketball is a fast-paced sports, played by two teams

There’s no denying the fact that basketball is one of the most talked-about sports in the world currently.

The sport also has its various female leagues worldwide, which also attracts media attention.

Basketball fans can attest to the fact that brands are willing to spend millions of dollars in endorsement deals with top basketball players.

These deals sometimes have continued even after the player’s retirement, as seen in the LeBron James and Michael Jordan’s shoe deal with Nike.

6. Table Tennis – 875 Million Fans

Also known as ping pong, since 2003, the table tennis fan base has increased to as much as 875 million.

The sport originated from England in the early 20^th century.

Though table tennis events are not as publicized as other prominent sports tournaments, it enjoys a moderate number of social media followers and fans worldwide.

Table tennis is particularly popular in Asia, Europe, Americas and Africa.

Brands like Autohome and Sports Master sponsor table tennis tournaments.

5. Volleyball – 900 Million Fans

A sport that attracts as much as 900 million fans, volleyball receives a great deal of attention globally, particularly in North and South America, Western Europe, Australia, and Asia.

However, it is less televised compared to other top-rated sports.

Volleyball’s popularity among both genders is on the rise, making it one of the fastest emerging sports in the modern age.

Brands such as Mikasa, Dick’s Sporting Goods support Volleyball events.

What Is The Most Watched Sporting Event In The World 2018

4. Tennis – 1 Billion Fans

A very strenuous and physically intensive sport, tennis is a sport where surprising upsets are not uncommon.

The emergence of new talents in recent years has helped heightened the thrill in the competition to the delight of the 1 billion tennis fans.

Both tennis played by male and female recently attracts excellent media attention, which has caught the eye of brands such as Audemars Piguet, Rolex, and TAG Heuer.

These brands pay tennis stars large sums of money in endorsement and sponsorship deals.

3. Hockey – 2 Billion Fans

Both Ice and field hockey are among the most favourite sports in the world.

In the US, Canada, and Northern Europe, ice hockey receives a great deal of attention, which is no different from other regions.

Globally, about 2 billion people follow hockey, especially the National Hockey League (NHL).

The male and female hockey league also receives considerable attention from brands such as Gatorade, Reebok, and others, who are willing to sign sponsorship deals with these teams.

2. Cricket – 2.5 Billion Fans

Another popular sport with vast global reach, cricket, is a fantastic sport followed by about 2.5 billion fans, majorly from countries such as Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, and India.

The most followed competition in cricket, the Cricket World Cup, last played in 2019 was watched by about 2.6 billion people.

Though the male-dominated cricket receives more attention, the women dominated cricket has been on the rise in popularity in recent years.

Cricket also enjoys a good number of endorsement deals from various brands, especially bat making brands.

1. Association Football (Soccer) – 4 Billion Fans

With an estimated 4 billion fans, association football, or soccer as it is known in the US and Canada, is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the world.

Soccer is played by two teams in a rectangular field with a goal at both ends.

Each team attempts to dribble the ball and score into the opposing goal.

The sport is played by more than 270 million people globally (especially in Europe, South and Central America, and Africa), and it tops the list of the world’s most-watched sports.

The most prestigious football tournament, the FIFA World Cup, was watched by a record number of 3.5 billion fans in 2018.

Aside from that, every major football tournament, from the UEFA Champions League to the English Premier League or La Liga, is widely followed on various social media platforms.

While male football receives a lot of media attention, female football is not left out.

The sport never fails to get extensive media attention.

Top brands like Coca-Cola, Qatar Airways, Pepsi, Nike, Puma, and Adidas have signed multi-million-dollar deals with football governing bodies such as FIFA and UEFA and top football clubs, and national teams.

Football (soccer) is also among the highest-paid sports in the world.

Summary

Association football (soccer) is the most popular team sport globally, with about 4 billion fans scattered across the globe.

With an estimated 270 million players, soccer is a team sport with the highest number of participants in the world.

Final Thoughts

The exhilaration, excitement, thrill, and suspense, sports brings is a testament to their wondrous effects on humans.

For centuries, humans have basked in the delight of fanciful entertainment, thanks to the unifying and enjoyable bond of emotional connection it has created in our hearts and minds.

In times where the world has seen violence, sports has brought smiles to the affected parties’ sad faces.

An example is the 1914 Christmas day truce, where both warring parties left all differences aside to enjoy a beautiful game of soccer.

That was a kind and charitable gesture amid so much violence.

No doubt, sports have enjoyed the right amount of attention from all generations.

Please feel free to share your views about this ranking of the most popular sports in the world, in our comments section below.

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The Most Watched Sporting Event In The World

The 2018 World Cup begins Thursday in Russia, with billions of people across the globe set to watch the month-long competition. It’s undoubtedly one of the biggest events in global sports, but is it the biggest? Using television ratings, worldwide interest and the intangible “buzz,” we ranked the 11 biggest sporting events in the world.

What Is The Most Watched Sporting Event In The World Live

11. NBA FinalsThe globalization of basketball still hasn't led to major ratings across the world (China reported 16…The globalization of basketball still hasn't led to major ratings across the world (China reported 16 million viewers for the decisive game in last year's playoffs), but with 215 countries getting the Finals on television (broadcast in nearly 50 languages), the opportunity for growth is there. more10. Rugby World CupRugby hasn't made its way to the biggest nations on the planet – more than half…Rugby hasn't made its way to the biggest nations on the planet – more than half the participants (eight out of 14) at the last Cup were from countries with fewer than 8 million people: Fiji, Lebanon, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Scotland, Tonga, Wales – but the World Cup still drew nearly 1 million viewers in the U.S., which is considerably more than you'd see from a first- or second-round NHL playoff game.more9. Tour de FranceThough the event has practically disappeared in the United States (thanks Lance) and has become more…Though the event has practically disappeared in the United States (thanks Lance) and has become more chemistry experiment than sporting event, cycling's preeminent race still commands worldwide interest. The 2,000+ mile tour includes some of the greatest sights in sports – speeding past the sunflower fields in Blagnan, passing by villages founded in the 18th century, pedaling up the French Alps and the yellow jersey gliding down the Champs-Elysees, to name a few. The Tour isn't higher on the list because it's still a mostly European affair: Since the race was created in 1903, only three non-European cyclists have won the race. (We're counting the aforementioned Mr. Armstrong in that count even if cycling tries to bury its head in the sand and act as if he never existed, as if that will absolve them of blame.)more8. Cricket World CupThis is perhaps the most anonymous big sporting event in the U.S. but huge in other…This is perhaps the most anonymous big sporting event in the U.S. but huge in other parts of the world usually not accustomed to international sports success. No sporting event has more representation from Southeast Asia than the Cricket World Cup which boasts contenders from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh – three of the eight most populous countries in the world. (The big event beginning this week only can boast two of those countries – Brazil and Nigeria. Way to go, Team USA.) Though Australia has won four of the past five Cups, the other tournaments have been won by either India, Pakistan, West Indies or Sri Lanka.more7. WimbledonWhile most of the biggest athletes in the world will congregate in Russia this summer, the…While most of the biggest athletes in the world will congregate in Russia this summer, the rest will descend upon the grass courts at a racquet club in Wimbledon, a small southwest district of London. By one metric, the most popular athletes on the globe will be in the field – Roger Federer, the men's defending champion, gets more in endorsement money (approximately $65 million, according to Forbes) than any athlete in the world, while Serena Williams, the seven-time ladies' champion, is the best-paid female athlete, by far.more6. The MastersEvery year, the Masters seems to grow in popularity and stature while the U.S. Open, which…Every year, the Masters seems to grow in popularity and stature while the U.S. Open, which arguably used to be the bigger worldwide event, feels diminished now that the USGA has stripped its identity and turned it into a somewhat-difficult tournament won at -8 instead of the greatest test in golf. The picturesque vistas of Augusta National resonate across the world and golf's increasing global footprint will only add to viewership as Asian players have steadily increased in numbers and prominence. more5. Super BowlYou know how every year at The Oscars, the host makes a self-deprecating joke about the…You know how every year at The Oscars, the host makes a self-deprecating joke about the pressure of performing in front of one billion people? That's a slight exaggeration. Not even 40 million people watch the show in the U.S. – do you really think the rest of the world is contributing 960 million to the tally? Divide that by 25 and MAYBE you'll get the actual number. Think about it: Why would anyone else care about Hollywood feting an American movie they've never seen. They're not giving out trophies to The Avengers: Infinity War, after all. Are we to believe people in China are watching to see if Aaron Sorkin wins a screenplay Oscar? Anyway, I mention this because it's the same thing with the Super Bowl. Those global estimates are a joke. I'm sure there are plenty of people in Europe that stay up until 2 a.m. to watch the game. And by plenty I mean a handful of ex-pats and contrarians who say they prefer American football to European football (like the people in the States who say the opposite). With that long preface out of the way, the Super Bowl would still be a huge event if it were only seen inside the United States and, ratings notwithstanding, the game is broadcast to over 200 countries. So it's there, even if people don't care.more4. Champions League FinalMore people watch Europe's version of the Super Bowl than the actual Super Bowl – about…More people watch Europe's version of the Super Bowl than the actual Super Bowl – about 350 million at last count, depending on the participants (and the sporadic, year-long tournament obviously brings in more viewers than that).There's no good way to compare one 90-minute game to a 17-day event but that's why arbitrary lists exist.more3. Winter OlympicsIf the Summer Olympics are like a fine IPA, the Winter Olympics are a Michelob Ultra,…If the Summer Olympics are like a fine IPA, the Winter Olympics are a Michelob Ultra, enough like the real thing that it gets the job done but not so much that partaking does anything but whet the appetite for the real stuff. The popularity of the cold-weather Games are obviously dampened by the inclusion of sports that are only popular in parts of Scandinavia and places within a four-hour drive of Frankfurt. And though the competition of 92 nations dwarfs that of most sporting events, more than half (48) sent four or fewer athletes.more2. World CupIt's right there in the name. 'World.' There are 211 countries eligible for this year's international…It's right there in the name. 'World.' There are 211 countries eligible for this year's international soccer tournament, but only 32 made it to the big show. (That'll change in 2022, when FIFA, to the delight of no one except maybe U.S. Soccer, will expand the tournament to 44.) No matter; interest in those other countries will still be sky high. Overall viewership for the World Cup is what other events claim to have – FIFA claims 1 billion people watched the 2014 final between Argentina and Germany (I'll wait while you search for a grain of salt) and there were estimates that 200 million people watched every game. That sounds reasonable, but the estimate of total viewers – not so much. FIFA estimated that 3.2 billion viewers tuned into Brazil 2014. Okay, so if 1 billion tuned into the final, that means there'd be 2.2 billion more people who watched part of the World Cup and then said 'nah' to its climax. more1. Summer OlympicsThe greatest spectacle in sports. More than 11,000 athletes from 207 nations competing in 306 events…The greatest spectacle in sports. More than 11,000 athletes from 207 nations competing in 306 events spanning 28 different sports. The Opening Ceremony brings together people from every race, religion, creed and nation – it's not hyperbole to say it's the most unifying event in the world. The estimate of 3.5 billion viewers of the Olympics is easier to believe than the World Cup's total (though the IOC is about as reputable a source for info as FIFA). Each of the 100 most populous nations, which carry well over 70% of the world's population, send delegations (as well as most of the next 100 countries), giving a rooting interest to a vast majority of people in the world. Though the Olympic movement has been sullied by corruption and an archaic bid/hosting system that leaves nations in debt and billions of dollars worth of infrastructure to rot, none of it matters during those glorious 17 days every four years.more