Revealed! These are the Top 5 Most Watched Sports around the World

Each of us has a sport that we enjoy, but which ones are the most prominent globally? Finding a precise definition of the word “popular” is difficult. Do we mean the most played, the most watched, or the sport with the most fervent following?

On the basis of recent statistical data and analysis, here are the top five most watched sports in the world.

1. World Cup of Soccer – A Viewership of 4.5 Billion 

The World Cup is straight at the top of the list in terms of affluence, alongside the Summer Games. National soccer teams from all over the world compete in this 32-team tournament (which will be increased to 48 teams in 2026). The winner is declared at the conclusion of the competition. The World Cup, which is the ultimate sporting event and is held every four years, attracts a record-breaking number of spectators. With a staggering 199,854 spectators, the 1950 Final game retains the record for the largest sporting event crowd ever to fill an enclosed stadium.

2. Cricket World Cup – A Viewership of 3.5 Billion 

Cricket enthusiasts are well aware of how immensely popular the sport is in many different regions of the world, which may surprise North Americans who are astonished to see it on a list of the most watched sporting events. The One Day International Cricket World Cup is an international competition. Ten teams are involved, and the competition lasts just over six weeks. The competition occurs every four years, and the following Cricket World Cup is slated to take place in India in 2023.

3. Women’s World Cup – A Viewership of 2.1 Billion 

The 2019 Women’s World Cup in France garnered a lot of interest as a result of the growing popularity of women’s soccer. National teams are competing in a month-long tournament with a structure identical to the men’s competition that starts with group-stage matches and concludes with a knockout stage (playoff rounds). Australia and New Zealand will host the next Women’s World Cup from July 20 to August 20, 2023.

4. Table Tennis – A Viewership of 850 million

Table tennis is a relatively recent sport in terms of popular culture. About a couple of centuries ago, China was where it all began, and it gradually expanded to the rest of Asia.

But now that it has spread to other parts of the globe, 850 million people attest to its extraordinary appeal. One of the reasons this sport is so well-liked is that it has simple rules, few but enough pieces of equipment, and virtually no storage requirements.

5. Golf – A Viewership of 450 million

Depending on your perspective, playing golf may be both an unexpected and obvious entry. First of all, this is one of the earliest known sports on this list, having originated in Scotland in the 13th century. It has since successfully spread throughout the world, gaining 450 million followers in Europe, Asia, and America. This would explain its extensive reach.

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