The Most Watched Sporting Events
Top Sporting Events that Unite Billions Across Continents

Global Passion Unleashed
If there’s one thing that can bring the world together, it’s sports. And there are several sporting events throughout the calendar year that people from every time zone come together by watching the same event on their TVs on your favorite entertainment news. Let’s take a look at the most watched sporting events to date.
1. Tour de France: 3.5 Billion Viewers
Believe it or not, the most-watched sporting event isn’t the NFL Super Bowl or soccer like many Americans may think. Instead, it’s the Tour de France: a prestigious cycling competition (that doesn’t always happen in France, by the way.)
The cycling event, which dates back to 1903 and takes place every summer in July, has 200 cyclists racing over 2,000 miles in just 23 days. There are 22 teams from all across the world, each made up of nine riders. There are also 21 stages, which include a mountain portion.
🤩 From Bilbao to Paris, let's relive the best moments of the #TDF2023.
🤩 De Bilbao à Paris, retour sur les meilleurs moments de la 110ème édition du Tour de France ! pic.twitter.com/LudI52L1Lk
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 26, 2023
The riders average around 25 mph during the race, but at some points, they have been clocked going over 70mph!
Many, if not all, of the riders are thin––especially by the end of the tour, as you may see on the cycling news. That’s because this race sees them burning over 100,000 calories once they’ve crossed the finish line. It’s fascinating for many people, about 3.5 billion to be more precise.
2. FIFA World Cup: 3.3 Billion Viewers
The FIFA World Cup isn’t too far behind the Tour de France, with 3.3 billion viewers. The event has been held every four years since 1930, bringing the best international soccer teams and players together to face each other for a world championship.
Déjà vu. 🛫🎯@ennesyri9 pic.twitter.com/VoSYmxVThw
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) August 16, 2023
For the FIFA world cup standings, the event starts with the qualification phase, it takes three years and over 100 games to get to the month-long World Cup, where only 32 teams will play. However, beginning in 2026, the World Cup is scheduled to expand to 48 teams. Just eight national teams have taken home the World Cup trophy:
- Brazil – five titles
- Germany – four titles
- Italy – four titles
- Argentina – three titles
- France – two titles
- Uruguay– two titles
- England – one titles
- Spain – one title
Even if you are not a real soccer fan, the FIFA World Cup is a fun way to root for your country!
3. Cricket World Cup: 2.6 Billion Viewers
The Cricket World Cup falls at No. 3 among the most-watching sporting events, somehow fascinating approximately 2.6 Billion viewers. Like the Soccer World Cup, it takes place every four years, meaning three years of qualifying games. The contest sees ten teams competing over six weeks.
5⃣0⃣ days to go for #CWC23 🤩🏆 pic.twitter.com/RNWZt7mtyv
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) August 16, 2023
If you have never watched the Cricket World Cup, you are lucky because it will happen this October. Why so many people watch it is beyond me, but the sport is like baseball and is considered harder to play.
4. Summer Games: 2 Billion Viewers
The Summer Games also occur every four years and feature many sporting events. The best athletes worldwide compete in boxing, beach volleyball, swimming, rowing, fencing, and over 20 other sports. The event had come a long way since 1896, when only nine sports existed.
The best part might be the opening ceremony, which showcases every country in the most beautiful way! It’s surprising that the events don’t see over 2 billion viewers tuning in.
5. Winter Games: 2 Billion Viewers
Winter Games viewership is naturally tied with Summer Games. The Winter Games are my personal favorite. Instead of competing in summer sports, the best compete in winter sports, including snowboarding, skiing, figure skating, and sled dog racing.
Unfortunately, we won’t see the next Winter Games for another two years. Still, the other most watched sporting events are there for your viewing pleasure and profit (if and when betting, of course!)
Anthony Edwards is ready for the Winter X Games 😅pic.twitter.com/x58LGpDAbv
— Timberwolves Nation (@TWolvesNationCP) September 26, 2022
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