Top 10 Most Watched Sports In The World In 2024

With more than 4 billion viewers all over the globe, Soccer, football, or association football, is surely the most watched sport in the world right now. The biggest competition of football, the FIFA World Cup, has close to 3.5 billion viewers. Cricket, with 2.5 billion viewers, and field hockey, with more than 2 billion viewers, also deserve their mentions among the most watched sports in the world in 2024.

Who doesn’t love sports? It is one of the best forms of entertainment and allows you to get rid of stress. It is ideal for every person to be involved in some form of sport to release tension and stay physically active and fit. And for those who are unable to practice athletic activities themselves, there’s always a host of sporting events to enjoy! Let’s take a look at the countdown of most watched sports.

Most Watched Sports – 2024 Ranking

Content Summery

The popularity of sports depends on viewership on TV as well as online. Aside from the sports channels that gain the media rights for the broadcasting of these sports events, we also get to watch the sports, both live as well as their repeat telecasts, on online apps, YouTube, etc.

10. Golf

golf

Total fanbase: 450 Million

In the 10th place on our list of most-watched sports in the world is Golf. Besides, it is also one of the highest-paying sports in the world. Based on the stats collected from various sources, Golf has a reported fan base of 450 million.

The viewership of the sport mainly comes from the US, the UK, Japan, and Korea. The remaining parts of Europe, as well as Australia, love to watch Golf, too. The PGA Tour and PGA European Tour are majorly popular.

Some of the most important golf players who have taken the sport to new levels of popularity in recent years are Michelle Wie, Cristie Kerr, Phil Mickelson, and of course, Tiger Woods.

9. Rugby

Rugby

Total fanbase: 475 Million

Rugby, with a followership of about 475 million, acquires 9th place on the list of the most popular sports in the world. It has grabbed the interest of sports lovers in the UK, as well as Australia, France, and South Africa.

The Rugby World succeeds in reaching a 789-million audience, making it the 7th most-watched sports event in the world.

Other important rugby tournaments are the Women’s Rugby World Cup, Six Nations Championship, etc. Some of the most loved rugby players in the world are Dan Carter, Jonah Lomu, Selica Winiata, Magali Harvey, etc.

8. Baseball

Baseball

Total fanbase: 500 Million

The next name on the list of most-watched sports is Baseball, which is among the most popular sports in the US and Japan. The followership of 500 million also comes from Canada, Mexico, and Korea, among these two countries’ most-watched sporting events ever.

The baseball tournaments that showcase the best and most exciting games are World Series, World Baseball Classic, Premier12 World Championship, etc.

Aside from Babe Ruth, who is probably a household name, other players who have made the sport popular recently include Clayton Kershaw, Bryce Harper, Eri Yoshida, etc.

7. Basketball

Basketball

Total fanbase: 825 Million

With approximately 825 million followers across the world, who mainly come from China and the US, Basketball is the 7th most-watched indoor sport in the world. Aside from China and the US, viewers are also based in Europe and South America, which makes it the most viewed sports event in the world.

The most popular basketball tournament is the NBA, which is aired in more than 200 nations all across the world, where people tune in to watch 10 countries on the rosters.

Some of the most popular and highest-paid players in the world are associated with this sport. The most recent among them are Maya Moore, Candace Parker, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, etc.

6. Table Tennis

Table Tennis

Total fanbase: 875 Million

Another major indoor sport with a huge viewership is Table Tennis. It has 875 million followers. The sport maintains the highest popularity in China, though viewers from other parts of Asia, and some European countries, like Korea and Sweden, also love the sport.

World Table Tennis Championships, Table Tennis World Cup, ITTF World Tour, etc., are some of the most popular table tennis tournaments, though the hugely popular Olympics, with a 2-billion reach, and Asian Games, with a 986-million reach, also feature it.

Ma Long, Wang Hao, Ding Ling, and Liu Shiwen are among the best players in the trade.

5. Volleyball

Volleyball

Total fanbase: 900 Million

The Volleyball game acquires 5th place on the list of the world’s most-watched sports. It has about 900 million followers who belong to developing nations, especially Brazil. People from different parts of Asia and Europe also love watching Volleyball, that’s why it is the most attended sporting event.

Men’s and Women’s World Championships and Men’s and Women’s World Cup are the most popular tournaments, with the Olympics and Asian Games also featuring the sport.

Players like Giba, Earvin N’Gapeth, Logan Tom, Yekaterina Gamova, etc., have successfully made the sport really popular in the recent past.

4. Tennis

Tennis

Total fanbase: 1 Billion

The 4th among the most-watched sports, with a fan base of 1 billion, is Tennis, which is popular in North American, Latin, European, Australasian, and Asian countries.

The US Open, Wimbledon, French Open, and Indian Wells Tennis Masters grab the highest viewership from Tennis lovers from all across the world. It now also holds its place among the richest sports to play in 2024.

The tennis players who top the chart of the most loved sports personalities today include Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Serena Willaims, Venus Willaims, Maria Sharapova, etc.; that doesn’t mean we can forget former players like Steffi Graff or Björn Borg. It is one of the top sports events.

3. Field Hockey – Most Popular Sporting Events

Field Hockey

Total fanbase: 2 Billion

With 2 billion fans, Field Hockey acquires 3rd place on the list of the most-watched sports. India and Pakistan have the highest number of viewers of the sport. In fact, many argue that it is the national sport of India.

Additionally, people of Australia, Japan, and Western Europe, too, love this sport. The World Hockey Cup, Champions Trophy, and Hockey Champions Challenge attract huge viewership.

They also hog attention in the Olympics. With the path laid by players like Dhyan Chand and Prithipal Singh, some of the best players in field hockey today are Akashdeep Singh, Chitrashi Rawat, Sohail Abbas, etc.

2. Cricket – Biggest Sports Event in the World

Cricket

Total fanbase: 2.5 Billion

The sport in 2nd place on the list of most-watched sports is Cricket. It has a viewership of 2.5 billion. And its patrons spread in mainly 12 countries that participate in the sport, i.e. India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, and Ireland. The viewership comes mainly from the Asian, Australasian and European countries on the list.

Apart from domestic cricket tournaments like IPL, the most important cricket events include ICC Champions Trophy, T20i World Cup, etc., not to forget Cricket World Cup, with an audience reach of 400 million.

The greatest cricketers of the last two decades include Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni, Chris Gayle, Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Meg Lanning, etc.

1. Association Football/Soccer – Biggest Sports Event in the World

Soccer

Total fanbase: 4 Billion

At the top of the list of the most-watched sports is Association Football, with 4 billion followers all around the world. From China and India to Brazil and Argentina, from Portugal and Germany to England and Italy – association football tops the list of the best sports in the world for sports lovers in countries all over the world.

FIFA World Cup is the most popular sporting event in the world, with a reach of 3.5 billion. UEFA Champions League and FIFA Confederations Cup also feature among the most-watched events, with 1.7 billion and 1 billion reach, respectively.

Even the Olympics feature the sport. Some of the greatest footballers of recent times include Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar, Marta, Alex Morgan, Hope Solo, etc.

Conclusion

Sports are an integral part of the entertainment world. It is an industry like no other. In fact, it is the healthiest of all forms of entertainment. Which is your favorite among the most-watched sports in 2024? Let us know in the comments below!

Most Watched Sports – Infographics

most watched sports - infographics
Infographics: Most Watched Sports

FAQs Regarding Most Watched Sports

Q. What is the most-watched sport ever?

According to estimates, half of the planet’s population follows soccer or football, as it is known in most countries. Due to this, there is no doubt that it is the most popular sport in the world.

Q. Is El Clasico the most-watched game?

Besides the UEFA Champions League Final, it is one of the biggest club football games in the world, and it is one of the most viewed sporting events of the year. As far as social media followers are concerned, both clubs enjoy a global following.

Q. What sport is called the beautiful game?

Football is referred to as the Beautiful Game (in Portuguese: o Jogo bonito). The phrase was popularized by the Brazilian footballer Pelé, although its origins are debated. English football commentator Stuart Hall used it as early as 1958.

Q. What sports are growing in popularity?

Team sports, including volleyball, gymnastics, and softball, suffered in 2020. According to the SFIA, just two team sports, ultimate frisbee and basketball had an increase in “core participant” in the number of Americans who play frequently.

Last Updated On: March 2024

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