This tournament, featuring Europe’s elite national teams, is set to captivate an estimated global audience of over 2 billion viewers. The competition’s allure lies in its high-stakes matches, showcasing top talents and fostering intense national pride.

As excitement reaches fever pitch, it’s an opportune moment to explore how football compares to other globally popular sports.

Let’s take a look at the Top 10 most watched sports.

Soccer, or football, is the world’s most watched sport, boasting an estimated 4 billion fans globally. Its universal appeal spans continents, with major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League drawing massive viewership. The sport’s simplicity and accessibility contribute to its widespread popularity, making it a cultural phenomenon in many countries.

Cricket captivates approximately 2.5 billion fans, primarily in the Indian subcontinent, the UK, Australia, and South Africa. The sport’s rich history and variety of formats, from Test matches to Twenty20, cater to diverse audiences. Events like the ICC Cricket World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL) attract millions of viewers, highlighting cricket’s global reach and passion​.

Field hockey, with around 2 billion fans, enjoys significant popularity in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Its fast-paced nature and competitive tournaments, such as the Hockey World Cup and the Olympic Games, ensure a dedicated following. The sport’s historical roots in countries like India and the Netherlands bolster its international appeal​.

Tennis draws about 1 billion fans worldwide, with its appeal spanning across continents. The sport’s four Grand Slam tournaments – Wimbledon, the US Open, the French Open, and the Australian Open – are major events that captivate large audiences. Tennis legends like Roger Federer and Serena Williams have further elevated the sport’s global profile​.

Volleyball, with a fan base of 900 million, is popular globally, particularly in Brazil, Europe, and parts of Asia. The sport’s inclusion in the Summer Olympics and major competitions like the FIVB World Championships and World Cup ensures it remains in the spotlight. Its accessible nature, requiring minimal equipment, contributes to its widespread appeal​.

Table tennis, or ping pong, boasts 875 million fans, predominantly in China and other Asian countries. The sport is celebrated for its fast-paced and skillful play, with major events like the World Table Tennis Championships and the Olympics drawing significant viewership. Its popularity in schools and recreational settings also helps maintain a broad audience​.

Basketball has a global following of around 2.2 billion fans, fuelled by the NBA’s international reach and the sport’s dynamic nature. The FIBA World Cup and the Olympic basketball tournaments further bolster its popularity. Stars like Michael Jordan and LeBron James have become global icons, enhancing the sport’s appeal​.

Baseball, with about 500 million fans, is a major sport in the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Latin America. Major League Baseball (MLB) and international events like the World Baseball Classic attract millions of viewers annually. Its strategic depth and rich history make baseball a beloved pastime.

American football draws an estimated 400 million fans, primarily in the United States. The NFL and its marquee event, the Super Bowl, are major highlights, garnering massive TV ratings and global interest. Efforts to expand the sport internationally through games in London and Mexico City are ongoing​.

Golf, watched by approximately 450 million fans globally, is known for its prestigious tournaments like The Masters, the Open Championship, and the Ryder Cup. The sport’s blend of skill, strategy, and scenic courses appeals to a broad audience, from casual fans to dedicated enthusiasts​.

As the Euros kick off, the excitement surrounding football underscores its dominance in the world of sports, yet the diversity in global sports viewership highlights the rich tapestry of athletic competition and fandom.