Help settle a debate....

[ThreeKing]

I had an argument with one of my friends this morning over which is the world's biggest sporting event not counting the olympics. Most anticipated, most watched, etc.

He said the Super Bowl.

I said the World Cup.

I can see where he is coming from, but I told him this is the world, not just the U.S. I said soccer is still king on the planet.

I could be wrong, just wanted to see what others thought.

[bgeno]

It has to be the World Cup. Not even close when compared to the Super Bowl.

Few outside of the U.S. give a damn about American Football. Soccer is the world's game.

[ThreeKing]

Quote: Originally Posted by bgeno

It has to be the World Cup. Not even close when compared to the Super Bowl. Few outside of the U.S. give a damn about American Football. Soccer is the world's game.

Yeah, I agree. That's basically what I said.

I know the Super Bowl is watched in over 300 something countries, but still.

[LL-Cool-P]

I think the Super Bowl is actually the most watched sporting event worldwide...

No concrete stats but I recollect reading numbers somewhere stating the SB as #1.

[LL-Cool-P]

Quote: Originally Posted by bgeno

It has to be the World Cup. Not even close when compared to the Super Bowl. Few outside of the U.S. give a damn about American Football. Soccer is the world's game.

You are SO wrong.

The NFL is gaining popularity in the UK & Ireland (see: International Series '07, '08, '09 & high levels of demand for those tickets!) and throughout Europe.

The coverage over here is limited but trust me, the fan base is big outside of the US.

[av7]

Quote: Originally Posted by LL-Cool-P

I think the Super Bowl is actually the most watched sporting event worldwide... No concrete stats but I recollect reading numbers somewhere stating the SB as #1.

Its not even a contest between Super Bowl and World Cup. 2006 WC was estimated around 2.5-3 billion and North America/Caribbean had 829 million viewers (SB XLI was around 100 million)

http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/market...id=111247.html

[LL-Cool-P]

Quote: Originally Posted by avrbas

Its not even a contest between Super Bowl and World Cup. 2006 WC was estimated around 2.5-3 billion and North America/Caribbean had 829 million viewers (SB XLI was around 100 million) http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/market...id=111247.html

Well, there ya go

[av7]

Quote: Originally Posted by LL-Cool-P

Well, there ya go

Heres an interesting thing

Quote:

Initiative, a New York-based media research firm, measured the global audience for last year's Super Bowl at 93 million people, with 98 percent of those viewers in North America. That would mean roughly 2 million people outside North America watched the Super Bowl.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...03/rushin0206/