10 Most-Watched Sports Events of All Time [Ranked]

Sport brings people together like nothing else. Whether it’s football, basketball, cricket or boozing – there are plenty of events around the world for people to sink their teeth into every month of the year from the glum month of January to the summer period between June and August.

Utilising viewing figures, in isolation, is not the best way to evaluate how well-watched each event is, of course, but it is a surefire way of determining each of their concurrent interest. Using figures from The Sun’s in-depth report and the latest update from the LA Times, here are the top 10 most-watched sporting events of all time – from Patrick Mahomes’ Superbowl capitulation to the finest hour of Lionel Messi’s legenady career.

10

Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson, 2024

Viewing figures: 108 million

Mike Tyson’s final bite of the cherry didn’t end how the veteran boxer, born in New York City, would have wanted it to with him losing via unanimous decision. Social media sensation Paul, now 28, reigned victorious in a bout consisting of eight two-minute rounds – one that saw just 375 punches being thrown between the pair.

Taking part in his first fight for 19 years, Iron Mike’s highly-anticipated return to action was streamed live on Netflix – the first time in the broadcaster’s history – and reeled in 108 million viewers, making it one of the most watched boxing fights of all time. Despite the lack of action, the pre-fight buzz at the AT&T Stadium in Texas resulted in a record-breaking night for Netflix.

Jake Paul would later fight British heavyweight Anthony Joshua in December 2025 – a fight that was broadcast live on Netflix and drew in a global audience of 33 million viewers. Despite the event being ranked No. 1 in 45 countries, according to Netflix’s stats, the event still paled in comparison to the enormous audience attracted by the former Disney star’s 2024 battle against Tyson.

9

Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles – 2025 Superbowl

Viewing figures: 126 million

Two years removed from being agonisingly beaten by the Chiefs in the 2023 Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles were handed the opportunity to not only enact some revenge but prevent history, as Mahomes and co. looked to become the first franchise in NFL history to manage a three-peat.

A whopping 126 million people, from ‘Swifties’ to the most hardened American football fans, tuned in to see the defending champions be decimated by a rampant Eagles side led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, according to the Los Angeles Times. The 40-22 scoreline did not do enough justice to just how one-sided the season finale was, with Mahomes describing the defeat as ‘the worst thing in the world.’ Not to mention there was also Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show, which built up just as much intrigue as people wondered whether or not he would perform his Drake diss-track ‘Not Like Us.’ Spoiler: he did.

8

South Africa vs England – 2019 Rugby World Cup Final

Viewing figures: 857 million

Despite often being overshadowed – especially in England – by football, rugby is still well-documented around the world, with nations such as New Zealand, Wales and Australia all sharing a major interest in the sport. It was South Africa’s win against England, a game that ended 32-12, that pulled in the biggest numbers, however.

A total of 857 million people, according to The Sun’s in-depth report, tuned into the Rugby World Cup final five years ago in 2019 with the likes of Owen Farrell, Tom Curry and Courtney Lawes having to watch the Springboks win their third-ever Rugby World Cup title as they cemented themselves as a force to be reckoned with.

7

Asian Games

Viewing figures: 986 million

A grand total of 45 participating countries – including India, Qatar, South Korea, China and the like – are involved in the Asian Games. Commonly known as Asiad, the four-yearly competition is a continental multi-sport event that brings in an average of 986 million viewers every time it comes around.

It may be a shocking inclusion given its lack of media coverage, but the mere fact that half of the world’s population reside in Asia, their lofty viewing figures start to make a lot of sense. The first Asian Games (1951) were hosted in New Delhi, India and their latest instalment (2022) were held in Hangzhou, China.

6

2019 Cricket World Cup

Viewing figures: 1.6 billion

From England to India – cricket is one of the most loved sports on the planet. And when the former nation beat New Zealand at Lord’s in London in 2019, there were a total of 1.6 billion people that bore witness to the memorable victory.

The well-documented tournament drags on for in excess of a monthly period which, in turn, allows broadcasters plenty of time to lure in major audiences. The sport itself may only be very popular in a small number of countries, but their record-breaking viewing numbers are thanks to hosting a significant portion of the world’s population.

5

Muhammad Ali vs Leon Spinks, 1978

Viewing figures: 2 billion

Contested on the 15th of September 1978, boxing sensation Muhammad Ali’s bout with underdog Leon Spinks was the most-watched boxing event of all time – with plenty more viewers than Paul’s victory over Tyson. Ali’s superstardom nature, with him regarded as one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers in history, saw viewers from all manner of countries flick on their television to watch him in action.In the final victory of his career, Ali – affectionately monikered ‘The Greatest’ thanks to his unrivalled boxing ability – won the adoration of the world by bringing in unprecedented numbers – 2 billion of the world’s population, to be exact. Having lost their first fight by split decision in February of the same year, the three judges scoured the bout 11–4, 10–4–1 and 10–4–1, all in favor of Ali giving him a unanimous decision win.

4

2006 Winter Olympics (Torino, Italy)

Viewing figures: 2.1 billion

First held in 1924, the Winter Olympics are often overshadowed by their much sunnier sibling: the Summer Olympics. What is so special about the Games is how they put sports in the limelight that do not typically get the numbers through the door on their own.

As expected, the Winter Games are naturally dominated by cold-weather countries – with Norway top of the all-time medal table ahead of the likes of Canada and Austria. Its Torino-based instalment in 2006, according to The Sun, was the most-watched event of its kind as 2.1 billion viewers were recorded from start to finish. Germany (11 gold, 12 silver and six bronze medals) were the overall champions.

3

2024 Tour de France

Viewing figures: 3.5 billion

By virtue of the event being raced over a grand total of 23 days, the most prestigious cycling race in the world – the Tour de France – has more time than most to accumulate big numbers from a viewership standpoint. In comparison, the Tour de France draws a huge audience – but they don’t necessarily stick with the broadcast for the entirety.

From all corners of the globe, north of three billion people tune into parts of the France-based event, according to race organisers, which earns it third place on this list. A total of 12 million of those are in physical attendance while a total of 190 countries tune in to watch from the comfort of their own home.

2

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Viewing figures: 4.7 billion

Admittedly, it’s not much of a surprise that the Olympic Games is nearing the summit of this list given the plethora of countries and events that are on offer every four years. As such, a whole range of viewers are interested and, therefore, tune in given its multi-faceted nature.

It was 16 years ago, in 2008, that saw a large chunk of the world’s population – around the 4.7 billion mark, to be precise – watch at some point over the two weeks of coverage. Host nation China ran away as the country with the overall win (48 gold, 22 silver and 30 bronze; 100 in total). The United States finished second, while Russia took home the bronze medal.

1

2022 Qatar World Cup

Viewing figures: 5.4 billion

As Rosario-born Messi completed football, lifting the prestigious World Cup in the process, there were 5.4 billion people glued to their televisions in anticipation across the entire competition. Its conclusion, which saw Argentina defeat Kylian Mbappe’s France on penalties in what is widely regarded as one of the best World Cup finals in football history.The two Paris Saint-Germain stars went toe-to-toe on 18 December at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar – and, as such, a record-breaking 1.5 billion tuned in to witness greatness before their very eyes. Incredibly, the final would find a spot on the list in isolation. A moment that will never be recreated, it was that special.

All viewing figures per The Sun and LA Times (correct as of 24/11/2025).