20 Sport Viewership Statistics and Facts to Keep You Watching in 2024

Sports programs are part of the US viewing culture. The NFL Sunday and Thursday Night Football airing of NBC and FOX/NFL Network took the top two spots for most-watched TV in 2021-22.

With nearly 60 million viewers tuning in to sports programs every month since 2021, this number is predicted to go as high as 90 million by 2025.

These are just some interesting facts for starters, as this article delves more into the sports viewership statistics in 2023.

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Highlights of the Article

  • The first broadcast sporting event happened in Missouri in 1911.
  • 54.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the 2023 NFL draft.
  • Nearly 160 million in the US watched live sports once a month in 2023.
  • US women’s soccer viewership will decrease by 10% in 2022.
  • Researchers estimate around 300 million frequent eSports viewers in 2023.
  • The Worlds game in 2022 peaked at over 5.1 million concurrent viewers. 
  • Three of the top 10 most-watched eSports events are from Mobile Legends.
  • 40% of people who watch eSports tournaments are in China.
  • Over 106 million watched the Australian Football League Season in 2022
  • In 2022, the eSports audience reached over 530 million worldwide.

Statistical Overview on Sports Viewership

A sports event could gather around 150,000 viewers when television started to fill American homes. Eventually, the sports viewership percentage started to increase. 

Take a look at some of the earliest recorded sports viewership statistics.

Sports Viewership Statistics in the US

Sports programming is one of the US’s most popular TV show genres. In 2021, over 57 million viewers watched digital live sports shows at least once a month.

The statistics below will show how much Americans love sports.

1. The 2023 NFL draft peaked at 54.4 million viewers.

(NBC Sports, The Athletic) 

NFL announced that unique viewers reached 54.4 million during the 3-day draft event. The league recorded 6 million daily average viewers.

Thursday’s first round reached an average of 11.4 million viewers. Friday and Saturday rounds dragged down the overall average by over 47%.

In numbers: NFL Draft Viewership from 2018-2023

Between 2022-2023, 1st round average viewers increased by 11%, while the 3-day average increased by 15%. Overall, 2020 remains the best 3-day draft viewership.

2. The 2022 WNBA Finals dipped by 3% because of the NFL.

(Sports Pro Media) 

Game 4 coverage of the WNBA finals flopped because of the NFL Sunday coverage in the US. ESPN reported an average audience of 396,000, the lowest WNBA finals game in the last 2 seasons.

The opening round was recorded as the best-viewed finals since 2017. Viewers peaked at 872,000, with an average of 555,000 during the match.

Overall, the 2022 WNBA finals recorded an average of 534K viewers, a 3% dip from 548K in 2021.

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Side Note

Despite the tragic ending to a basketball legend, the late Kobe Bryant had made a mark in the NBA. 

A player has yet to break his +600 points, +100 rebounds, and +100 assists in three consecutive playoff records in the NBA. 

3. Super Bowl: Rams-Bengals is the most watched sports event in 2022, with 99.18M viewers.

(Sports Media Watch)

NFL succeeded in dominating the sports viewership statistics in 2022. Super Bowl 56 between the Rams and Bengals, with nearly 100 million viewers, is the most-viewed event of the year. 

45 of the 50 largest Nielsen-measured sports audiences are NFL events. The 2021-22 CFP National Championship between Georgia and Alabama ranked 33rd, the most-viewed non-NFL sports event.

4. Nearly 160 million people in the US watched live sports at least once a month in 2023.

(Statista)

From 158 million in 2022, the number increased by 0.1% by 2023 to 159 million viewers.

Nearly 160 million viewers watched live sports in the US

This number is expected to grow by 0.2% by 2025, reaching 162 million live sports viewers.

The increase comes from a growing number of digital networks or venues that broadcast these sports events aside from cable networks and shows.

5. MLB’s 2023 Opening Day game drew a 42% increase in watched minutes on the DTC platform. 

(Sports Pro Media, Front Office Sports)

The MLB 2023 Opening Day on March 30 drew record viewership for MLB.TV. It generated 172 million watched minutes, beating the previous daily record of 121 million. 

MLB averaged 26,753 fans per game, up 5% compared to last year as of April 26. These statistics show that this year’s MLB improved in attendance and viewership.

2023's Major League Baseball gathered 172 minutes watched.

6. Over 18 million people tuned in to the College Football Playoff 2023.

(Football Foundation, Statista)

College sports have gained popularity since the last decade, leading to the NCAA’s revenue exceeding $800 million in 2019 from TV broadcast deals. 

However, the College Football Playoff 2023 telecast has drawn its lowest number of viewers since its first televised event, but one of the most watched college football in the last five years. 

Reports point to post-COVID-19 restrictions and changes in media consumption and TV realignment as the factors affecting college football playoff ratings.

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Side Note

College sports have taken the interest of the US viewers since its first televised event. Find out how the NCAA recruits their players with these latest statistics and facts.

7. Superbowl LV was the least-watched since 2007, with around 96.4 million viewers.

(Deadline)

Sports viewership trends for TV broadcasts continue to drop in 2020. The 55th Super Bowl attracted fewer viewers than any other in the decade. 

On the bright side, it was the most live-streamed Super Bowl ever, with an average of 5.7 million streams per minute. 

8. US women’s soccer viewership broke previous records by as much as 300% in 2020, down by 10% in 2022. 

(CNBC, Sportico)

Women’s soccer had a great year in 2020. The first and last game of the NWSL Challenge Cup attracted over half a million viewers, comparable to the English Premier League.

Morgan Brennan on Lack of Media Coverage for Women's Soccer

However, 2022 saw a 10% drop in TV ratings due to major time viewing differences in America and Australia and a lack of media access.

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Side Note

Diana Taurasi is a legend in the WNBA. She has won three WNBA championships in her career.

Not only is she a notable figure in the WNBA but also in the FIBA World Championships and EuroLeague Championships, with three and six gold medals, respectively.

9. NBA season games in 2023 had an average of 5.47 million viewers.

(Sports Pro Media)

It’s no secret that the NBA is the most popular basketball league in the world, with 30 million fans worldwide and more popular in its home country, the US.

According to the latest data, the 2023 season games had an average of 11.64 million viewers on ABC, making the NBA one of the most-watched sports leagues in the world.

The Rise of eSports and How It Is Changing the Game

In 2021 alone, the eSports industry has accumulated over a billion in market revenue, including streaming, media rights, and sponsorship.

By 2025, it is predicted that the number of occasional viewers and enthusiasts of eSports will increase to 350 million viewers from 250 million in 2020.

Below are the interesting viewership statistics for the booming industry that is eSports.

10. Researchers forecast around 300 million frequent eSports viewers by the end of 2023.

(Statista)

In 2018, frequent eSports viewers exceeded 170 million; over 220 million were self-described occasional viewers. By 2020, those numbers rose to 223 million frequent and 272 million occasional viewers. 

League of Legends draws over 5 million concurrent views

If the trend remains consistent, eSports viewers’ statistics will break the 300 million mark by 2023.

Besides TV coverage, celebrities like Michael Jordan, Drake, and DJ Marshmello have helped increase awareness for eSports through events and constant promotions.

11. The League of Legends World Championship game in 2022 peaked at over 5.1 million concurrent viewers. 

(Escharts)

League of Legends has been leading the eSports viewership numbers in several markets. 

League of Legends draws over 5 million concurrent views

Millions of viewers watched over 141,000,000 combined hours of League of Legends play during the 2022 World Championship. 

Further statistics reveal that 7% of total bets on Esports were on LoL.  

12. eSports audience demographics show the median age of US viewers is between 18 and 24.

(Statista, Gateway Region YMCA)

The most active eSports viewers are the youngest. 46% of eSports viewers are 18-26, while 15% are 13-17.

Aside from sleek graphics, studies show that eSports help this age demographic in the following aspects: 

  • Form strong bonds among their peers
  • Increase cognitive skills such as memory, eye, and hand movement coordination
  • Better stress management skills

13. Four of the top 10 most-watched eSports events are Mobile Legends tournaments.

(Esports Insider)

Gamers have switched to Mobile Legends as an alternative to League of Legends. 

The list of top ten most watched eSports compounds on this fact, with most of the spots occupied by Mobile Legends tournaments.

eSports TournamentViewers
League of Legends World Championship5.1 million
MPL Indonesia Season 92.84 million
MLBB Southeast Asia Cup 20222.8 million
MPL Indonesia Season 102.21 million
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Southeast Asian Games 2.2 million
Mid-Season Invitational2.2 million
PGL Major Antwerp2.1 million
The International 20221.7 million
VALORANT Champions 20221.5 million
Free Fire World Series 2022 Sentosa1.47 million

Reviews for both games have been great, but Mobile Legends stand out because of its straightforward and quick match duration.

14. 40% of people who watch eSports tournaments are in China.

(Statista)

In 2023, over 700 million people in China play mobile games alone. In fact, China has more investment in eSports than any other country, at $100 billion.

The government’s trust in the eSports industry has helped China to become the powerhouse eSports country that they are now beating the previous record-holder, the USA.

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Side Note

China has implemented the three-hour rule on video gaming against minors in 2021, despite their booming eSports industry. 

Since then, the government claimed that this policy has addressed 75% of the gaming addiction of minors.

World Sports Viewership Statistics

In the US alone, 66% of the total population watches sports, which is seen to rise over the next few years.

Learn what sports make heads turn around the world in the statistics below.

15. According to sports average viewership statistics, Soccer is the most popular sport globally, with 3-4 billion fans.

(GWI, Ballerstatus)

A recent survey shows that soccer is the most watched and followed sport, with approximately 3.5 billion viewers, followed by basketball.

Here are 2023's popular sports in the world with manyl fans

It was recorded that over 250 million people play soccer, another reason that proves soccer is king. 

16. Sky Sports welcomed over 1.2 million average viewers on October 24, 2021. 

(Sky Group)

Setting records in sport viewership statistics for the UK, Sky Sports had its best day ever regarding average viewers in 2021. 

Viewers watched the Premier League, Formula One, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. At 5:50 p.m., the audience peaked at 4.5 million viewers. 

The surge was due to the premier teams playing for each sport coupled with the perfect time slot and the support of fans in the digital world.

17. The AFL 2022 Season recorded a 106 million total audience.

(Footy Industry)

Australian football dominates the sports viewership statistics in Australia, and 2022 is no different.

AFL estimated over 106 million audiences during the 2022 season. The average audience was 537,000 watching 265.662m hours of footy.

An increase in TV and streaming platform subscriptions contributed to the steady and slowly increasing number of viewers for AFL. 

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Side Note

Football remains to be one of the most anticipated sports events worldwide. For instance, in the NFL, an advertiser has to spend approximately $7 million dollars for a 30-second ad placement.

Brief Timeline of Events of Sports Viewership

Some of the beloved and most-watched sports today would not have been as huge as they are if it weren’t for their rich history.

From what used to be just a thousand or even a hundred viewers for a specific sport, with the help of modern technology, it has gradually increased to a million.

Take a look at how sports viewership changed over time with some of the brief timeline of events.

18. Around 1,000 viewers watched the first-ever sporting event broadcast in 1911.

(Beonair)

In 1911, around 1,000 people gathered in downtown Lawrence to watch the reproduction of the Kansas vs. Missouri college football game. 

The spectators in Columbia, Missouri, who repeated the events and announced the play-by-play results, relayed the information through telegraph to Lawrence, Kansas.

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Side Note

The American football goes all the way back to ancient Rome. However, it wasn’t until 776 BC that the first football game was recorded between two teams of 30 players.

19. Over 162,000 people watched the 1936 Berlin Olympics, the first televised sporting event.

(How Stuff Works, Stillmed, Guinness World Records, USHMM)

The Olympics marked a broadcasting history when the 1936 Berlin Games were broadcast live in black-and-white to the players and the public.

The 1936 Berlin Olympics drew 162,000 viewers

Networks broadcasted 72 hours of live footage from the Olympics to 25 booths throughout Berlin and Potsdam, allowing more people to watch the events in real-time outside the stadium.

This was the first time a sports event had been shown live on TV, making it possible for many more to follow.

The 1936 Olympics cost around $30 million to construct, among the most inexpensive ones compared to some of the most costly events such as Sochi 2014 which cost Russia around $22 billion.

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Fun Fact

The Berlin Olympics was infamous for many reasons, including its viewership and because many historians dub it the “Nazi Olympics.”

This was because Jews and Blacks were initially banned from performing at the event, making African-American Sprinter Jesse Owens’ 4 gold medals that historic.

20. Only a few hundred homes with TV witnessed the first televised sports event in the US in 1939.

(Sports Broadcast Journal)

The first televised sporting event in the US was a collegiate baseball match between Princeton and Columbia in Baker Field. It was covered by W2XBS, an experimental station owned by NBC. 

Out of 139 million people in the US back in 1939, only a few hundred households had television. Thus, the number of viewers was also limited to that figure. 

Although there were technical limitations, like using only one camera, the live broadcast was still successful. 

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Side Note

From a few hundred who tuned in to watch baseball in 1939, the love for baseball has massively grown and is believed to have 500 million fans worldwide as of writing. Talk about growth!

The Game Changer

Sports viewership is back on track after the pandemic. With more tournaments returning, sports enthusiasts again enjoy their favorite sports on television and digital streaming.

Esports tournaments continue to drive audiences even after the height of the pandemic. The number of players and spectators is forecasted to grow continuously.

Indeed, sports have become ingrained in our history and modern culture.

FAQs

What sport has the highest viewership?

Soccer is the undisputed king of spectator sports. In 2018 alone, it set a record for the most viewed sporting event when more than half the world’s population spectated the FIFA World Cup. 

What is the single most-watched sporting event in the world?

Typically, the FIFA World Cup attracts more viewers than any other event. The Tour de France is a close second, usually followed by the Olympic Games. 

How many people watch eSports?

Over a billion people worldwide have watched at least one eSports event. 

How many people watch live sports?

In the US, around 154 million people watch live sports at least once a month. Experts forecast that number to rise to about 160 million by 2025.