Forget the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup. Let’s have a look at the top three biggest sporting events on the planet that draw in the biggest crowds and makes the most money.
3. Wimbledon
Wimbledon is one of the most iconic and recognizable events in the world of sports. It is the pinnacle of tennis, where historical sporting moments are created and legends are made. Wimbledon is an incredible event, from the perfect green surfaces to the celebrity crowd and the mandatory white sporting attire.
Incepting in 1877, Wimbledon has always been one of the biggest sporting events in the world. The 2016 version was the biggest on record, reaching an audience of 1 billion people, according to Wimbledon.
According to Mic, while the Championship makes only under £40 million on the grounds of the All England Club itself, Wimbledon generates more than £150 million when TV revenue is included.
2. Super Bowl
The Super Bowl, the final championship game of the NFL season, is the biggest event on the NFL calendar and is the second on this list.
According to Reuters, in the 2017 showcase, the Super Bowl drew in 111.3 million viewers on average during the game and $2 billions in broadcasting rights revenue.
1. UEFA Champions League
The first place in this list belongs to the UEFA Champions League for sure. It is the ultimate club football tournament, bringing together the top leagues in Europe. It pits champions against champions to see who is the greatest side on the world of football – the king of sports.
The Champions League stretches more than a 9-month period, coordinating with Europe’s domestic leagues. The Champions League final draws a TV audience of about 400 million people from 200 countries and territories every year, according to Vocativ.
Broadcasting rights are charged at a premium for the event, with last year’s final collecting up to $1.85 billion the total fee.