The Kansas City Chiefs remain the team to beat after lifting the Lombardi three times in the last four years, including the last two campaigns back-to-back. Now, Patrick Mahomes and Co. are on the hunt for a historic threepeat, and with just one loss on their record heading into the final round of games, they may well be successful in their bid to become history makers.
The Super Bowl is without question the biggest event in American sports, and should the Chiefs make it to the Big Game for the third straight year, they can expect a minimum of 100 million people to tune in. While this figure is massive, it pales in comparison to other global events, primarily because the NFL is primarily popular Stateside. Admittedly, the league’s international series has been successful in garnering support outside of the States, but both the league and its championship game lag someway behind the planet’s biggest showpiece fixtures.
UEFA Champions League Final
The Champions League Final is Europe’s answer to high-stakes soccer, but its global appeal is undeniable. Recent finals have drawn live audiences of around 380 million viewers worldwide, with billions tuning in to highlights or delayed broadcasts. This year, Liverpool are aiming to win the tournament for the seventh time, with those looking to bet on Champions League soccer able to back them at odds of +400.
One man who hasn’t lived up to the billing lately is Reds winger Mohamed Salah. Former England international Joe Cole has selected the Egyptian King to score in his last two Champions League betting tips, but on both occasions he was unsuccessful. If the Merseysiders do have hopes to lift the famous Big-Eared Trophy in Munich next May, he will certainly have to up his game to the levels he has been displaying in the Premier League.
An appearance for Liverpool in the Champions League final would be the club’s fourth in seven years. But what makes the tournament so beloved among sports fans? Well, the fact that the beautiful game is inexpensive compared to its American counterpart and widely played across continents, helps it resonate with a broader demographic. Additionally, UEFA has invested heavily in broadcasting rights, ensuring availability in markets across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
FIFA World Cup Final
But even so, few events — the Champions League final included — command global attention like the FIFA World Cup Final. With a tournament that occurs only once every four years, the anticipation itself draws billions. The 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia reportedly attracted 1.1 billion viewers for the live broadcast, with more than 3.5 billion people watching at least some part of the tournament. Fast-forward four years, and the Qatar-hosted showpiece between Argentina and France raked in a whopping five billion viewers by one method or another.
The World Cup’s cyclical schedule creates an aura of exclusivity, heightening interest and participation. Every final brings together diverse regions on one stage, reflecting the global passion for soccer. Factors like national pride, historic rivalries, and inclusivity — with a record 48 teams participating in 2026 — make the World Cup Final the pinnacle of sport for many fans.
In 18 months, the tournament will be bigger than ever before. With the United States predominantly hosting alongside Mexico and Canada, the tournament has been increased from 32 teams to a mighty 48, with 104 matches taking place, up from 64. As such, far more eyes will be on the product, including the final, which will emanate from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19th 2026.
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