Sports events bring together enormous crowds from around the globe to witness their idols compete on an international stage. These spectacles serve as tests for endurance, accuracy, and agility among their participants.
These sporting events often attract millions of viewers; so, which events do billions tune in for? Here are the largest sporting events everyone watches.
1. FIFA World Cup
At its pinnacle of global sports events is the FIFA World Cup. Every four years the world stops to witness soccer’s pinnacle event.
Established in 1930, the World Cup is the premier international association football tournament held each four years by members of FIFA. Entries are narrowed down to just two before the final match is played.
Major international sporting events bring people from different backgrounds together regardless of differences, creating a sense of unity for the duration of the tournament and even after its conclusion has lasting effects on society; building capacity to host such events could even bring economic benefits for an entire country that last far beyond any tournament’s conclusion.
2. Summer Olympic Games
The Summer Olympic Games take place every four years and showcase some of the greatest athletes from around the world. As one of the most watched sporting events worldwide with an estimated average audience of 3.5 billion viewers worldwide each time it’s held, and one of the oldest surviving sporting events that dates back as far as 8th Century BC competitions, they rank as one of the biggest draw cards on any given sporting calendar.
The modern Olympics, established by Pierre de Coubertin, emphasize the power of sport as a vehicle to unite world cultures through intense contests that measure physical ability. Sydney 2000 Olympic Games stand out for many reasons; indigenous Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe won gold and Cathy Freeman won the 400 meters race to make an unforgettable showing; also, Germany was reunified and baseball and women’s judo were added.
3. Tour de France
The Tour de France is one of the world’s premier sporting events. From sprinting madly to lung-busting climbs, this annual competition showcases human endurance at its best. An estimated TV viewership of 3.5 billion people means it also serves as an economic boon for cycling teams and sponsors alike.
At the turn of the 20th century, French newspaper L’Auto was facing bankruptcy and asked their writers for ideas to increase circulation. That was when 26-year-old sportswriter Geo Lefevre suggested hosting France’s premier cycling race – what became known as The Tour de France (born 1903). Since then it has expanded into an epic three-week event held every July.
4. Cricket World Cup
Sports events bring people from across the world together, creating massive economic ripple effects in host cities and nations alike. Sports events also generate millions in revenue that boost local economies immensely.
In 1975, the first World Cup tournament took place and featured one-day matches consisting of 60 overs per side. For 1987’s event outside England and reduced overs per side from 60 to 50 overs per team.
No matter if it be an Olympic Game or the UEFA Champions League Final, major sporting events have an incredible way of uniting people from around the globe. Beyond just sporting competition, they serve as symbols of hope for individuals struggling against hardship while unifying people across cultures.
5. Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is the showcase event in rugby and World Rugby administers it. Held every four years, its winner receives the William Webb Ellis Cup – named for an 18th century schoolboy said to have invented rugby by taking an unintentional kick during a soccer game!
Japan hosted the 2019 Rugby World Cup tournament and caused quite an uprising by making it to the quarter-finals, only to fall to eventual champion South Africa in their semi-final matchup. Still, Japan left an indelible mark – hosting more rugby villages than ever before while providing economic impact across its territory than ever before.
The next tournament will take place in 2023 and promises to be one of the most unpredictable Rugby World Cups ever seen, with four teams, two of which having never previously won, having an equal chance of victory.