Traveler & Travel Advisor Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 stars  

The biggest sporting event in the world based on attendance is the Tour de France, which brings in between 12 million and 15 million spectators each year, but that could be eclipsed this year as the City of Paris prepares to welcome an anticipated 15 million people to the Summer 2024 Olympics.

Live sporting events are, in essence, the promise of potential. Centered around some of the most prestigious sports and featuring athletes that seem to defy the laws of nature, live sporting events capture the hearts and minds of people who want to be part of something larger than themselves. They want to witness greatness. They want to be a part of history. They want to look at a headline and know that they were part of that electric crowd — the one that seemed to buzz with energy as the winner took the gold or the team clinched the championship.

As a result, thousands of people each year find themselves wanting to attend the biggest sporting event in the world. Whether you are a fan of football or cricket, or you want to experience the thrill of a NASCAR race, you will find that being a part of the most attended sporting events is unlike any other experience on earth.

However, defining the largest sporting event in the world is a little more complex, because no two sporting events are alike. Some of the most well-attended sporting events are multi-day competitions that are spread out over large areas of a country, while others are monumental events that only happen once every few years. But knowing which events are sure to draw those larger-than-life crowds will help you choose which tickets to purchase as you plan for one of the most memorable experiences of your life.

Our Methodology: Challenges in Measuring Event Attendance

Comparing attendance at sporting events around the world is not as easy as you might think. The fact of the matter is, that we have to take into account a variety of factors to determine the most attended sporting event, such as:

  • The location of the event and the facility it is hosted in.
  • The duration of the event and whether it takes place over multiple days.
  • The definition of attendance and whether that means capacity in a facility or visitors in a given region.
  • The frequency of the event and whether it takes place annually or every few years.

For the purposes of this article, we are considering the number of attendees at events, regardless of the duration or frequency of the sporting event itself. However, you will see the various factors that influence the attendance noted in the article, allowing you to understand the context of the event and the magnitude of its attendance. This article doesn’t consider the most watched sporting events, as in viewed on T.V. or online, but we do delve into those numbers in our article “The Most Watched Sporting Events in The World.

What Are the Largest Sporting Events in the World by Attendance

Looking at both multi-day and single-day sporting events, these are considered to be some of the largest sporting events in the world by attendance:

1. The Tour de France – 12 Million Attendees

Regularly bringing in upwards of 12 million spectators, the Tour de France is easily considered to be the most attended sporting event in the world. However, one of the reasons why this sporting event is able to bring in so many spectators is the fact that this bicycle race is held at locations across France and throughout Europe over a three-week period.

Throughout the 21-day race, spectators will arrive in droves to line the route of the Tour de France and cheer on their favorite cyclists. While the race is held annually, the route is adjusted every year, giving new spectators the opportunity to check out the race for themselves — and providing dedicated cycle racing enthusiasts with a chance to travel to new destinations throughout Europe to experience this incredible feat of strength and endurance.

2. The Olympics – 8.3 Million Attendees

Currently, the record for spectator attendance at the Olympics is held by the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, which were held in Atlanta, Georgia and earned the nickname of the “Centennial Olympics.” According to the Guinness Book of World Records, more than 500,000 people arrived each day of the games in 1996 to witness their favorite world-class athletes compete for the gold on behalf of their countries.

However, if the buzz about the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris is to be believed, records are about to be shattered this summer. Inside the Games notes that more than 10 million spectator tickets will be available, and nearly 6 months before the games began, more than 75 percent of those tickets had been sold. The city itself expects to welcome more than 15 million visitors during the Olympic Games, so there’s a good chance that the 2024 Summer Olympics will become the biggest sporting event in the world.

3. Rugby World Cup – 4 Million Attendees

Thanks in large part to the sport’s popularity in Europe, South America and parts of Africa, rugby continually brings in record attendance numbers — but none are quite as impressive as the attendance numbers enjoyed by the Rugby World Cup. The pinnacle event, which is only hosted once every four years, is a favorite among enthusiasts of the sport. Fans delight in the fact that they can cheer on their nation’s team and root for their favorite players, but perhaps nothing is more exciting than seeing the Rugby World Cup live and in person.

In 2023, the Rugby World Cup set record attendance numbers, bringing in more than four million spectators across the nine stadiums that hosted Rugby World Cup games and the 10 rugby villages that were established. On average, more than 50,000 people packed into the stadiums to watch the games live, making this one of the highest attended sporting events around the world.

4. World Cup – 3.4 Million Spectators

Bringing together 32 teams from around the world for an epic 29 days of soccer, the World Cup is considered to be one of the most popular and monumental sporting events in the world. The fact that it happens once every four years makes the World Cup even more special, and increases the demand for tickets for the games that take place throughout the tournament.

In recent years, spectator records seem to be shattered with each passing event, and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was no exception. Considered to be a history-making tournament based on the fact that it was hosted in Qatar, the World Cup proved that people are willing to do what it takes to be part of the moment as their national soccer teams are crowned champions. In 2022, more than 3.4 million spectators attended World Cup games throughout the tournament. Over the course of the tournament, matches averaged 96 percent capacity, with many games sold out.

It’s expected that this event will continue to bring in a huge draw, particularly as the popularity of soccer continues to rise around the world.

5. Cricket World Cup – 1.25 Million Attendees

Hailed as India’s most popular sport, cricket has long had a devoted following throughout the country, but it’s also gaining popularity worldwide. In 2023, the Cricket World Cup that was hosted in India shattered previous records, bringing in more than 1.25 million spectators throughout the duration of the event. This is yet another event that has highlighted the increased demand for live sporting events, and the enduring love that people have for their favorite sporting events and teams.

By comparison, the Cricket World Cup brought in more than 1 million spectators when it was hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2015, and just 752,000 fans when it was hosted by England and Wales in 2019. Like other World Cup events, the Cricket World Cup is hosted every four years, and it is a multi-day sporting event, which allows it to bring in a higher volume of spectators than single-day sporting events.

6. Wimbledon – 532,000 Spectators

Widely recognized as the most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon brings in not only the most devoted tennis fans but also the social elite in London, throughout Europe and around the world. Since the time it was first hosted by the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in 1877, Wimbledon has been considered the place to see and be seen.

In 2022, Wimbledon shifted to a 14-day structure, which has helped boost its spectator numbers. In 2023, more than 532,000 guests came to the stadium throughout the two-week-long event to witness some of the most iconic tennis players of all time show off their skills.

While other live sporting events draw a raucous crowd, Wimbledon has a much more reserved atmosphere. You are not going to hear the cheers and jeers that are commonplace at typical championship-style events, but rather, you will see a sophisticated set watching intently as they showcase the most posh selections of their wardrobe. Wimbledon is as much an exclusive social experience as it is a live sporting event.

7. Indianapolis 500 – 400,000 Spectators

Traditionally taking place on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend every year, the Indianapolis 500 has earned the title of being the largest single-day sporting event in the world. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway boasts more than 250,000 grandstand seats, and there were an estimated 345,000 spectators at the 2024 race. However, the venue can accommodate up to 400,000 at the race each year.

This auto racing event has been held for more than 100 years, and since 1974, it has become a Memorial Day tradition for many racing fans around the world.

monaco grand prix packages8. Formula 1 Grand Prix – 300,000 to 400,000 in Attendance

In a typical Formula 1 Grand Prix racing season, there are about 22 races held in destinations around the world. Cumulatively, more than 6 million people attend these races, making it one of the most popular racing events to be at. Year after year, attendance continues to climb at these events, with some destinations highlighting stronger spectator growth than others. In some cases, the increased attendance is a result of expanded facilities. In others, it’s clear that there is a heightened demand for the thrill and excitement of live sports.

These are some of the spectator numbers for Grand Prix weekends around the world in 2023:

  • Britain – 480,000 spectators
  • Australia – 446,000 spectators
  • United States – 432,000 spectators
  • Mexico City – 400,000 spectators
  • Belgium – 380,000 spectators
  • Canada – 345,000 spectators
  • Las Vegas – 315,000 spectators

While these are the official counts for the spectators who were in the stands throughout the Grand Prix weekends around the world, it’s expected that attendance could actually be much higher at some events. Many destinations offer public viewing areas that allow people to gather and watch the races, and sometimes, those spectator numbers are not included in the official count. While some destinations reported declines in attendance or stagnant growth, attendance at Grand Prix events overall is growing significantly — shattering records year after year.

9. The Kentucky Derby – 157,000 in Attendance

Celebrating 150 years in 2024, the Kentucky Derby drew record attendance numbers for its milestone event, bringing in more than 157,000 spectators for “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.” Attendance had not been that high since 2018, when more than 157,800 people came to Churchill Downs. This year’s attendance levels highlight the fact that horse racing enthusiasts — and those who love the atmosphere of the Derby — are ready and willing to get back into the stands again after a global pandemic and sluggish economy.

Derby organizers are still hoping that attendance will continue to climb and will reach the pre-pandemic record of 170,000 spectators, which was recorded in 2015. While the race itself may last only a few minutes, Derby Week is an entire experience that is not to be missed. Even those who are not familiar with horse racing find themselves planning a trip to Louisville to enjoy the festivities and celebrations that take place in the week leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

10. UEFA Champions League Final – 75,000 Attendees

In 2022, more than 75,000 people packed into the stands to watch the UEFA Champions League Final, which saw Liverpool face off against Real Madrid. While these attendance numbers pale in comparison to some of the other major single-day sporting events around the world, it’s worth noting that it’s one of the most popular championship games to watch around the world. In fact, more than 400 million people tune in from nearly 200 different countries, making it a true worldwide phenomenon. Generally speaking, attendance at this event is limited to stadium capacity, but it’s almost always going to boast a sold-out crowd.

11. Super Bowl – 70,000 Spectators

Considered to be a holiday of sorts in the United States, Super Bowl Sunday is more than just a football game on TV — it’s an experience. Whether your hometown team is playing in the National Football League’s championship game or not, you are likely going to be tuning into the Super Bowl to watch a great game of football, enjoy a spectacular halftime performance and even pay close attention to some of the most entertaining and insightful commercials of the year.

However, being at the Super Bowl is an entirely different experience. Devoted NFL fans from around the country flock to the host city to soak up the Super Bowl festivities, with the game bringing in an average crowd of about 70,000 spectators. It’s worth noting that spectator numbers vary significantly from year to year based on the stadium that is hosting the game. The 2024 Super Bowl, for example, was hosted in a smaller stadium in Las Vegas and drew about 61,000 spectators. The low capacity coupled with high demand resulted in some of the most expensive Super Bowl tickets of all time.

Here’s a look at some recent Super Bowl attendance figures:

  • 2024 – 61,629
  • 2023 – 67,827
  • 2022 – 70,048

12. The Masters – 40,000 in Attendance

Considered to be one of the greatest events in golf, The Masters is an exclusive golf tournament that is hosted at Augusta National Golf Club each year during the first full week in April. It is the first major golf tournament of the year, making it one of the most sought-after tournaments for patrons to attend.

It’s estimated that about 40,000 patrons attend the tournament over the course of the weekend, but tournament organizers are notoriously secretive about the exact number. In fact, this is one of the most challenging live sporting events to attend, because it’s not as simple as buying tickets to enter the golf club. Interested patrons must apply for tickets nearly a year in advance, and then applicants are entered into a lottery. Those who win the lottery are given the opportunity to purchase tickets, and ticket resales are strictly prohibited, adding to the exclusivity of this prestigious event.

Largest Single-Day vs. Largest Multi-Day Event Attendance

When it comes to measuring the size of a crowd at a sporting event, there are a variety of factors at play, making it difficult to compare one event to the next. For example, the larger-than-life crowds that arrive at the Super Bowl each year may vary significantly based on the stadium that is hosting the game and the teams that are playing in the Super Bowl. When you compare the single-day event crowds to the multi-day event crowds, naturally, they pale in comparison.

These are some of the largest single-day crowds for sporting events:

  • Indianapolis 500
  • The Kentucky Derby
  • The Super Bowl

For those events, you are looking at tens of thousands of people. However, when you take a deep-dive into the largest multi-day events, you will find that crowds reach into the millions. Those people, however, are spread out by time and distance, which is one of the reasons why it’s difficult to compare single-day events to multi-day events.

The largest multi-day event crowds for sporting events include:

  • The Tour de France
  • The Olympics
  • Rugby World Cup
  • World Cup
  • Cricket World Cup
  • Wimbledon

It’s also worth noting that with multi-day events, the competition itself may span across multiple facilities, which will help to inflate the size of the overall crowd size. Take the Olympics, for example. Olympic events are held at a variety of indoor and outdoor facilities across the region, allowing this epic sporting event to bring in millions of spectators.

Regardless of the size of the crowd or the duration of the event, you will find that being one of the spectators is an experience that should not be missed. The thrill of the competition brings an electric atmosphere to any sporting event, and fans that are cheering for their favorite team or their beloved country are sure to enjoy the iconic moments that will emerge throughout the experience.

Record-Setting Crowds Through the Years

While the crowds at the world’s biggest sporting events seem to grow with each passing year, these types of competitions have long attracted people in record numbers.

Throughout the years, these have been some of the most shocking, record-breaking crowds at sporting events:

  • 12 million people at the Tour de France in 2012. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the 2012 Tour de France shattered records over a three-week period, drawing in more than 12 million spectators to watch the iconic bicycle race.
  • 500,000 spectators at Derby Day at Epsom Downs in 1913. The historic horse race spans back generations, and for many years, this was the sporting event to see and be seen at. In 1913, it was estimated that nearly half a million people came to the races to bet on the horses and scope out the social scene.
  • Nearly 200,000 people attended the Brazil vs. Uruguay World Cup Final Match in June 1950, which continues to be the record for the largest enclosed stadium attendance in modern history. While just under 173,000 people had tickets for the event and entered the stadium with designated seats, it’s estimated that more than 25,000 additional spectators took advantage of the sheer size of the stadium to squeeze in whichever way was possible.
  • About 190,000 people packed into May Day Stadium in the spring of 1995 to see a professional wrestling event featuring “Nature Boy” Ric Flair. While it closed in on the record held by the World Cup Final in 1950, this event still fell short of shattering that hard-to-beat milestone.
  • Approximately 130,000 people bought tickets for an American football game at the Bristol Motor Speedway in 2016, allowing this game to become the most well-attended American football game in history. The game was dubbed the “Battle at Bristol” and it saw the University of Tennessee Volunteers face off against the Virginia Tech Hokies. The fact that a college football game broke the record for the largest American football crowd is still a bit shocking, considering the sheer size of the National Football League fan base. For now, however, this game holds the title.
  • More than 92,000 fans flocked to a women’s volleyball doubleheader at Memorial Stadium in the United States in 2023. While this is nowhere near the largest crowd at a live sporting event, it is monumental because it set a record for the largest attendance for a women’s sporting event. In recent years, the number of attendees at women’s sporting events has risen significantly, so we can almost guarantee that this record will be broken time and time again in the years to come.

Future Trends in Event Attendance

In the age of artificial intelligence and virtual reality technology, it seems that our world is expanding further and further into the digital realm. It can feel a bit like none of us are living in reality, and the fact that we are all connected and consumed by the cloud has left many of us clamoring for something to hold onto. It seems that sports — and live sporting events — are the one thing that cannot be transformed or eliminated by technology. And as a result, people are attending these live sporting events in record numbers — and no one expects that trend to slow down anytime soon.

Take the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, for example. More than 775,000 people flocked to Downtown Detroit over the course of the three-day draft weekend, quite literally shattering all previous NFL draft attendance records. Sure, the rough-and-tumble city’s revitalization efforts played a key role in the attendance numbers, but you could also argue that people wanted to simply be together. They wanted to be present for the moment and share this monumental occasion with their friends and fellow NFL football fans.

This sense of belonging — and sure, maybe even the social media-influenced sensation of FOMO — is what is fueling sports fans around the world. People want to feel that sense of connection that seems to be subsiding with each passing day, and they want to be part of those unforgettable, and at times, even unbelievable, moments.

According to Front Office Sports, the demand for tickets and travel packages for live sporting events is on the rise because:

  • People are still reclaiming these experiences after so many lost moments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The economy appears to be strong and growing, giving people the ability to purchase tickets to the events that they want to see.

Despite the demand for live, in-person sporting events, there are emerging trends taking shape that will influence the way that people buy tickets and experience live sporting events. For example:

  • Ticket prices have been steadily on the rise over the past several years, with a new term taking shape to define the burgeoning costs — funflation. Ticket prices for live events, including sporting events, rose by more than 25 percent between 2022 and 2023. As prices rise, consumers may become more apprehensive about attending live sporting events as frequently as they once did.
  • The way that ticket packages are marketed and sold is shifting rapidly. Rather than buying à la carte tickets, more consumers are interested in packages that include value-added options, such as food or other enhancements.

After years of social isolation and prolonged distance, sports enthusiasts are keenly aware of their need to be with their fellow fans, and as a result, attendance at upcoming sporting events is expected to continue rising. Sports-related travel has never been more appealing, and given the demand for these types of experiences, stadiums, teams and sporting organizations are rising to the occasion to provide fans with remarkable and memorable experiences with their favorite teams.

Experience the Paris 2024 Olympics In Person

The City of Light is going to come alive like never before this summer as the 2024 Summer Olympics begin. You won’t want to miss out on the opportunity to be a part of the biggest sporting event in the world, which is set to break attendance records around the globe. With packages available at a wide variety of price points, we can create a customized experience that allows you to sip and savor the culture of the city while soaking up the greatness that defines the Olympics.

Contact Roadtrips today, and we’ll begin planning the trip of a lifetime that may allow you to be part of the biggest sporting event in the world.

Tags: , ,

Sign up for Blog Updates

Love sports and travelling? Sign up for blog updates and be among the first to read our weekly insights into our favorite events and destinations. You can withdraw your consent at any time. If you have any questions, please contact us or refer to our privacy policy.