The 15 Most Watched Sports Events in the World: 2025’s TV Dominance
In 2025, sports didn’t just break records; they shattered the entire television landscape. A staggering 96 of the year’s top 100 most-watched telecasts were sporting events, tying an all-time high. This dominance underscores a simple truth: when it comes to must-see TV, nothing unites a global—or American—audience like live sports. From the planet’s biggest tournaments to the NFL’s weekly stranglehold on U.S. ratings, we’re breaking down the events that commanded the world’s attention.
The data reveals a fascinating split: globally, mega-events like the FIFA World Cup reign supreme, drawing audiences in the billions. Domestically, American football continues its unparalleled reign, with the NFL and a surging college game accounting for a jaw-dropping 92 of those 96 top sports broadcasts. As we look ahead to a North American World Cup and Winter Olympics in 2026, this is the definitive snapshot of sports viewership at its peak.
The Global Giants: Billions-Tallying Events
While American sports dominate U.S. airwaves, the world’s viewing habits are measured on a different scale. The most successful events are global spectacles that transcend borders, languages, and cultures. These are not just games; they are worldwide cultural phenomena that command audiences in the billions, making them the most-watched events on the planet.
| Rank | Event | Estimated Global Viewership |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FIFA World Cup (Final) | 5 Billion |
| 2 | Tour de France | 3.5 Billion |
| 3 | Cricket World Cup | 2.6 Billion |
| 4 | FIFA Women’s World Cup | 2 Billion |
The American Juggernaut: NFL and College Football Rule 2025
The story of U.S. television in 2025 is the story of football. According to analysis from Sports Business Journal, of the 96 sports broadcasts that cracked the year’s top 100 telecasts, a remarkable 92 were either NFL or college football games. This represents a subtle but significant shift in the balance of power.
College Football’s Breakthrough Year
Historically, the NFL alone has occupied as many as 93 slots in the top 100. In 2025, college football is projected to claim eight spots, a major win for the sport. This surge is exemplified by major matchups like the New Year’s Eve quarterfinal game between Miami and Ohio State, which was anticipated to be one of the most-watched broadcasts of the year. This incursion into the NFL’s dominance highlights the growing appeal and expanded playoff structure of the college game.
The Unshakable NFL and NBA Highlights
The NFL’s foundation remains rock-solid, consistently delivering the highest-rated weekly broadcasts. Beyond football, the NBA continues to carve out major events. The 2025 Christmas Day slate was a success, with the Spurs-Thunder game leading the way as the most-watched of the day, drawing 6.71 million viewers across ABC and ESPN.
What’s Next? The 2026 Landscape
The stranglehold of football on the U.S. list may see a slight retreat in 2026. The upcoming calendar is packed with global events hosted on North American soil, which are poised to capture massive domestic audiences. The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina will introduce new competition for those coveted top 100 slots. These events have the potential to draw Super Bowl-level viewership, reshaping the annual ratings hierarchy.
Common Questions
What was the single most-watched sports event in the world in 2025?
According to global viewership estimates, the FIFA World Cup final remains the undisputed champion, attracting approximately 5 billion viewers worldwide.
How many of the top 100 TV broadcasts in 2025 were sports?
Sports accounted for 96 of the top 100 most-watched telecasts in 2025, tying the record set in 2023 for the highest number ever.
Which sport dominated the U.S. top 100 list in 2025?
American football utterly dominated. A combined 92 of the 96 sports broadcasts in the top 100 were NFL or college football games, with college football making significant gains to claim an estimated eight slots.
Could the NFL’s TV dominance change in 2026?
While the NFL will remain a ratings powerhouse, the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Winter Olympics are major global events that will compete for top spots in the U.S. ratings, likely taking a few slots away from the regular football calendar.