Sports have always been a part of our lives, whether we’re watching, playing, or betting on it. Every year, thousands of events are held worldwide, attracting millions of fans. Those fans share an insatiable passion for their favorite events. From adrenaline-rush moments to nail-biting finishes, there is nothing more exciting than watching the world’s top athletes compete against each other. And 2024 promises plenty of action.
Over the course of six weeks, two of our top five sporting events will be featured front and center, namely the Cheltenham Festival and Super Bowl LVIII. Then, in the summer, football takes center stage as another one of our top five as UEFA Euro 2024, as well as the Copa America, step into the limelight. And those are just the tip of the iceberg.
Admittedly, we have spoiled three of our top five. But let’s get into them in a bit more depth. Here are the top five sporting events on the planet.
Most popular sport event in the world – Cheltenham Festival
Many of you may not have heard of the Cheltenham Festival, especially if you aren’t fond of horse racing. But it features on our list for one main reason, that being that it is the most highly bet-on event in the world. Every year, an estimated £600 million worth of bets are placed by punters throughout the four-day feast, and it’s unsurprising to see why.
The eagerly anticipated spectacle commences every March, with this year’s edition slated to unfold from the 12th to the 15th. Every year there is an unparalleled showcase of hurdle racing, boasting the crème de la crème of equine talent, esteemed trainers, and illustrious jockeys hailing from all corners of the globe.
Cheltenham always features high-stakes racing, and bookmakers worldwide take advantage of the popularity of the event by offering a whole host of offers such as free bets, price boosts and money-back guarantees with the aim of garnering more custom. As such, it can become easy for speculators to feel overwhelmed. However, thankfully for them, the ever-popular Oddschecker website compares all the top odds and offers so that fans can make the most educated decision of who to bet on and get the most bang for their buck.
Located in the picturesque town of Cheltenham, this week-long showdown draws in several notables such as the British Royal Family and other big names in the British racing world to witness the spectacle and enjoy the camaraderie. But while the people in attendance may itself be a draw, the jewel in the crown is the Gold Cup Chase, which takes place on the fourth (Friday) and final day of the event. Last year, Paul Townend rode 7/5 favorite Galopin Des Champs to glory, and that duo have been priced up as a 6/5 favorite this year to become the first back-to-back winner of the esteemed race since Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020.
Most popular sport event in the world – FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup is held every four years and has gained notoriety as being without a doubt the most popular sporting event in the world. This global football extravaganza draws in billions of spectators, creating a frenzy for the beautiful game on the world stage. Throughout the years, audiences have witnessed spectacular moments, inspiring comebacks and astonishing upsets. From Maradona’s ‘hand of God’ to Zidane’s infamous headbutt, the memories and moments from the World Cup resonate through the years, making it undeniably the most anticipated event in the sporting calendar.
The most recent edition of the tournament took place in the winter of 2022, with the white-hot Qatari summer meaning that the showpiece had to be pushed back from its usual spot in June and July. But in the end, the tournament was certainly worth the wait. Germany crashed to a second straight group-stage exit, while Morocco became the first African team in history to reach the semifinals.
But in the end, the tournament was ultimately about one man; Lionel Messi. The Argentina captain was featured in his fifth World Cup, however, all he had known on the grandest stage was pain. He led Argentina to the final in 2014 before being downed in extra time by Mario Gotze’s 116th-minute winner for Germany. Almost a decade on, Messi had his one last chance to lift the trophy that he desired the most.
Things couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start as his beloved Albiceleste were stunned by Saudi Arabia in their opening game in one of the greatest upsets of all time. But back-to-back victories against Mexico and Poland secured their spot in the knockout stages. From there, they never looked back.
Messi scored the opener as his side defeated Australia by two goals to one in the second round. He was on target again as his team held its nerve to knock out the Netherlands on penalties in an ill-tempered quarterfinal. He was then the best player on the pitch as Argentina secured a resounding 3-0 victory against beaten 2018 finalists Croatia in the semifinals.
That set up a meeting against reigning champions France in the Lusail Iconic Stadium showpiece. Messi would come up against then Paris-Saint Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe, a mouthwatering clash between the best player on the planet and the heir to the throne. But despite the Frenchman’s blistering hat-trick, it was Messi who came out on top, netting twice as his side won on penalties and secured their talisman’s status as the greatest football player that’s ever lived.
Most popular sport event in the world – UEFA European Championship
While it isn’t quite up to the World Cup, the UEFA European Championship is also one of the planet’s greatest events. Like the World Cup, this too takes place every four years, running bilaterally to the global showcase. The event features 24 of Europe’s finest footballing nations as they battle it out for continental glory.
The reigning champions of the tournament are Italy. They stunned England back in 2021 – after global events caused Euro 2020 to be delayed for a year – on enemy territory at Wembley Stadium in a gut-wrenching penalty shootout. Italy missed out on the recent World Cup for the second tournament in a row, and they will be aiming to defend their crown this summer in Germany.
UEFA Euro 2024 gets underway on June 14 as the host nation faces off against Scotland at Bayern Munich’s Allianz Arena. From there, a further 60 matches will be played, including the final, hosted in Berlin’s state-of-the-art Olympiastadion, the site of Zidane’s headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final. France are the favorites for glory. However, a talented young England side and hosts Germany are also much fancied.
Most popular sport event in the world – Super Bowl
Held annually, the Super Bowl has become an iconic American sporting event. For many, the game is more than just a sporting spectacle, with the half-time show also attracting millions. The Super Bowl has become synonymous with high-stakes matchups, entertaining yet clever commercials, and of course, the pig skin.
Millions of people globally sit in wonder as the two best American football teams play their hearts out to become the Super Bowl Champions. This year, it’s Brock Purdy’s San Francisco 49ers and Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens who are expected to feature in the big game to battle it out for the Lombardi Trophy.
Most popular sport event in the world – Olympics
Another massive sporting event that comes in at a close second to the FIFA World Cup is the Olympics. Every four years, athletes from around the world come together to showcase their physical prowess across various disciplines. The Olympics is not just about winning a medal, but it’s about representing your country with pride, being a part of a global community, and embodying the values of excellence, respect, and friendship. The diversity, excitement, and unity showcased at the Olympics make it a top sporting event globally.
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