Top 10 Most Watched Sporting Competitions

Sport is an integral part of human identity, the need to compete with one another stems right back to the earlier days- when rivalries would be settled usually with intensely violent physical confrontation. Whilst that unfortunately still goes on, we now have sport as well with which to outdo one another in the name of preference and allegiance. Here’s a look, arranged in no particular order- at some of the most popular sporting competitions in the world as of 2013.

10. Rugby World Cup

Since the sports conception at an English private school sometime in the early 19^th century, Rugby has grown to the level it now enjoys as a main priority in many nations across the world. Though fairly un-championed for the most part throughout the US (the national team is gradually getting better though…), Rugby is insanely popular throughout all parts of the UK, Ireland, France, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and even Argentina! A main catalyst in the sports increasing threat towards others in these nations (in particular soccer), is the advent of the Rugby World Cup- a huge multi-week event that sees teams representing aforementioned nations plus more competing fiercely for the prestigious Web Ellis trophy.

9. Cricket World Cup

Similar to Rugby in the respect that it is relatively un-followed throughout the United States, Cricket is nonetheless one of the most popular sports on Earth- with an estimated 2,000,000,000 viewers each year. First hosted in the sports native England in 1975, the Cricket World Cup brings together international teams for a series of highly competitive one-day matches (yes, it is common for Cricket matches to last over a day in length). The last one was hosted in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in 2011- and saw some 14 teams representing the likes of Australia, Pakistan, Zimbabwe and the Netherlands compete.

8. NBA Finals

Named the NBA World Championship Series up until 1986, the NBA Finals mark the annual culmination of both the Eastern and Western Conference Finals. Basketball is arguably the most viewed sport in the US, with the NBA in particular raking in constantly increasing ratings each and every year. The finals are surely an offshoot of such a statistic, and as a championship series- the winner is decided through a 2-3-2 format- with the victor walking away with the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

7. World Baseball Classic

The second of the three sports that appear to dominate Northern American sports, Baseball is an activity which has held a place in the rich tapestry of American culture since the first recorded game was held in Hoboken, New Jersey in 1846. The World Baseball Classic is an international competition sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation, held every four years (though up until recently every three). Though more popular outside of the US than within, most likely as a result of the abundance of existing focus on the sport in the country, the World Baseball Classic has snowballed in acclaim since its conception in 2005 as response to the removal of the sport from the Olympic games.

6. Fifa World Cup

Founded in 1930, and held once every four years since (except in 1942 + 1946- thanks to WWII)- the FIFA World Cup, or just World Cup- is an international association football (soccer) competition which brings teams from all corners of the globe to a particular nation for a month (or thereabouts) of heated competition. Due to the popularity of the sport in such a high amount of countries worldwide, in the year or two leading up to the ‘finals’, some 200+ national sides compete in a series of ‘qualifier rounds’ to determine the final 32 sides. The competition was last held in 2010, and we all watched in horror as the Spanish took the title.

5. Superbowl

First played for in 1967, the Vince Lombardi Trophy is an extremely prominent sporting trophy in not only its native US, but all across the globe. Superbowl is the name given to the annual championship game of the NFL (National Football League) – and marks not just the end to perhaps the most followed sporting league in America but one of the biggest event days in the international sporting calendar. Just as famous for its elaborate half time shows and entertainment value than for its remarkable display of sporting capability- the Superbowl 2013, or XLVII- is due to be held at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on February 2.

4. The Ryder Cup

Golf has been trundling along steadily since first played in Scotland sometime in the middle ages. Both men and woman are drawn to the sport- and as it happens it has become rather big business in the last century or so. The Ryder Cup was first competed for in 1927, and encompasses a play off between two separate teams- one representing Europe and the other the USA. A concept instantly guaranteed to draw a huge amount of viewers, The Ryder Cup continues to enjoy a massive following year upon year.

3. Wimbledon

Held at London’s prestigious ‘All England Club’ in Wimbledon annually since 1877- this competition is not only the oldest and most prestigious of its kind- but certainly the most viewed year upon year. Comprising as one quarter of the ‘grand slam’ alongside the US Open, French Open and Australian Open- Wimbledon is the only one of the four to be played on the games original grass surface. Both men and women compete each year in not only singles but in doubles and mixed doubles teams. A cornerstone of the British Summertime, Wimbledon is enjoyed by tennis fans worldwide.

2. Formula One

The FIA Formula One World Championship is a worldwide competition comprising of a number of scheduled races or ‘grand prix’ at differing locations around the world. Each drivers placing and points awarded from each race is kept track of in a league style and after the last race of the season (or even sometimes before) a champion is heralded. Formula One is widely considered the highest class of single-seater automobile racing in the world and as a result receives a lot of attention.

1. Champions League

The Champions League is an annual continental football (soccer) competition moderated by the Union of European Football Associations in which the highest ranking teams from each of the continents premier leagues compete for the title of European Champions. Similar to the World Cup, the competition comprises of both group and knockout stages, with a final 16 teams making it through to the latter upon successful completion of the former. The competition runs steadily throughout the football season with the final of this year’s incarnation set to be played at London’s Wembley Stadium on May 25^th. I can barely wait.