The 20th century saw some of the most iconic and memorable sports competitions ever held, welcoming people from all over the world. The current century was also full of exciting events most of us just couldn’t miss. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 most attended sports events of the past years that managed to enter the history of sports.
10 most attended sports events
The most attended sports events of the 20th century were significant for many reasons. They brought together people from different cultures, creating a sense of unity and celebration, especially in post-war years. Along with modern competitions from the 21st century, these events also showcased some of the most iconic moments in sports history, with athletes breaking records and achieving greatness. Predictably, the Olympics and the World Cup were the most attended events, leaving other tournaments zero chances to enter the list. So, let’s see when the most popular sports events took place and how many people witnessed them.
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics is the most attended Olympics and sports event ever. It was held in Los Angeles and had a staggering attendance of 5.8 million people. It was also the first Olympic Games where professional athletes were allowed to participate, that’s why we saw the emergence of some of the most iconic athletes of all times, such as Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton, and Edwin Moses.
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing are in the top 3 of the most popular sports competitions. The most recent event on our list attracted over 4.7 million people. The Olympics were held in China for the first time, and it was a significant moment for the country. The Beijing Olympics showcased China’s economic and technological progress, with the opening ceremony being one of the most spectacular ever held. Follow our online betting industry news to learn about the next Games.
2000 Summer Olympics
The 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics managed to encourage around 4.3 million people to visit Australia. This Olympic Games showcased some of the most iconic moments in sports history, such as Cathy Freeman dominating the 400m and Ian Thorpe winning three gold medals in swimming. The Sydney Olympics also highlighted Australia’s multicultural identity, with the opening ceremony featuring performances from various cultures.
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens is remembered thanks to 3.9 million spectators. The Olympics were significant for the country, as it was the birthplace of the Games. The opening ceremony showcased Greece’s history and culture, with athletes from all over the world coming to compete in various sports. The Athens Olympics also saw the emergence of some of the most iconic athletes such as Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt.
1994 World Cup
The 1994 World Cup hosted by the US is considered the most popular football event ever. It had an attendance of 3.6 million people in total. As you know, the World Cup is the most significant event in football, with countries competing against each other for the ultimate prize. The US hosted the World Cup for the first time that year, and it proved to be a resounding success. The final match was held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where Brazil defeated Italy in a penalty shoot-out.
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics took place in Atlanta and had an attendance of 3.5 million people. It was the centennial celebration of the modern Olympics, so the US did their best to deliver a great show. The opening ceremony featured Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic cauldron and Michael Johnson winning gold in the 200m with a world record time of 19.32 seconds.
2006 World Cup
The 2006 World Cup took place in Germany and was watched live by 3.4 million fans. The World Cup was held in the country for the first time since its reunification. In the final game at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Italy won over France in a breathtaking penalty shoot-out. No wonder that football belongs to the most watched sports competitions of all time!
1986 World Cup
The 1986 World Cup that was hosted by Mexico was one of the most attended sports events. With 2.4 million people watching it live, it delivered some of the most iconic moments in football history. For example, Argentina won the World Cup for the second time, with Diego Maradona scoring the infamous “Hand of God” goal in the quarter-finals against England.
1970 Football World Cup
The 1970 World Cup held in Mexico had attracted 1.6 million guests to the capital of Mexico. The World Cup was significant for many reasons, as it saw the emergence of Brazil’s “beautiful game” style of play. The country won the World Cup for the third time, with Pele becoming the first player to win the tournament three times.
1978 World Cup
The 1978 World Cup in Argentina is our last pick for today. The football party counted 1.5 million people coming to its matches that year. It was the first time Argentina had hosted the event and it won the trophy for the first time in extra time. The match is also remembered thanks to Mario Kempes scoring two goals in the final against the Netherlands.
