By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
What’s the most exciting thing you’ve watched live this year? Maybe it was a nail-biting game-winning shot, a finish-line sprint with everyone on edge, or a historic sports moment with people talking worldwide.
From Super Bowl LVIII to the Paris Olympics, 2024 brought countless moments that fans couldn’t wait to stream. But some events truly stood out. As viewership stats reveal, certain games and matches captured more screens—and hearts—than ever.
With sports streaming at an all-time high, fans tuned in globally, from home and on the go to catch every key moment.
Thanks to ExpressVPN’s report on the most streamed sports in 2024, here is the data showing which sporting events dominated the global stage in 2024. From massive viewer numbers to viral social moments, these were the games and matchups that no one wanted to miss. It has to be noted that the Olympics are the only basketball-related event in the following list.
The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics took the world by storm with basketball being among the main attractions, capturing over 3 billion unique viewers across both traditional broadcasts and digital platforms. This impressive increase from previous editions proves the enduring allure of the Games and their place as a global cultural phenomenon.
And, while television retained its pull, digital platforms reshaped how fans experienced the Games. NBCUniversal’s streaming service, Peacock, shattered records, with over 17 billion minutes streamed—a figure that eclipses all previous Olympics combined. This shift speaks volumes about the growing appetite for on-demand, online viewing, and Paris 2024 delivered it in style.
In Europe, Warner Bros. Discovery engaged over 215 million viewers, a 23% jump compared to Tokyo 2020. Their platforms, Discovery+ and Max, clocked in more than 7 billion minutes of streamed content, sparking record sign-ups and solidifying streaming’s influence.
The social conversation was also electric, with Olympic channels amassing 8.5 billion engagements during just the first week. That’s a 40% surge from the entire Tokyo 2020 Games, reflecting how fans everywhere couldn’t get enough of every viral clip, medal celebration, and record-breaking moment.
In the U.S., NBCUniversal’s coverage attracted a massive total audience of 30.6 million viewers, marking an impressive 82% increase over Tokyo. Peacock users alone streamed 23.5 billion minutes, making it the go-to spot for U.S. fans. Across the Atlantic, the UK’s BBC doubled its Tokyo online streams with a record-breaking 218 million plays, while in host country France, the opening ceremony alone was watched by 23.4 million people on France Télévisions, capturing more than 83% of viewers.
This year’s Games also pushed the boundaries of sports broadcasting. From 8K resolution and virtual reality experiences that put fans right into the action to AI-driven personalized viewing, the Paris Olympics redefined what it means to watch the Games.
Real basketball Madness
Speaking about strictly basketball events, the NCAA’s March Madness saved the day globally thanks to US interest in search queries.
According to ExpressVPN data, the 2024 NCAA March Madness brought in record-breaking numbers, reaffirming its place as a highlight of the sports calendar.
The men’s tournament averaged 9.86 million viewers per game, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. But the standout moment came from the women’s championship. South Carolina’s clash with Iowa drew 18.87 million viewers, eclipsing the men’s final (14.8 million) for the first time and signaling a growing appetite for women’s basketball.
CBS Sports and Turner Sports delivered comprehensive streaming coverage through platforms like CBS All Access and the March Madness Live app, giving fans every reason to stay connected.
ESPN’s digital platforms carried the women’s tournament, boosting its reach and showing strong demand for streaming options.
On top of this, fans flocked to social media, driving millions of interactions across X, Facebook, and Instagram. Game highlights, reactions, and unforgettable plays kept the conversation alive far beyond the court, amplifying the tournament’s impact.
