Sporting events have the ability to draw in huge crowds. Some events have even broken records in terms of the total number of attendees. The following is a list of the 8 biggest crowds in sports history. These sporting events vary by type with some dating very far back in history. Some of these numbers are very impressive.
If you are a fan of sports, you will appreciate this list of the 8 biggest crowds in sports history. You may be surprised by the type of events that have been able to attract such large numbers of spectators. Read on to learn the types of events, the venues, the total number of spectators, and the year these events took place. With the sheer volume of people going to these events, it is impressive considering the years they took place, and the type of popularity these sports must have had in order to have such so many people come to watch.
The List of the 8 Biggest Crowds in Sports History
8. The Kentucky Derby
Attendance: 170,513
Number in Attendance: 170,513
Location: Kentucky, United States
Venue: Churchill Downs
Year: 2015
The Kentucky Derby’s Record Setting Crowd
The 2015 Kentucky Derby drew the eighth biggest crowd in sports history, with 170,513 in attendance. It was the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby and it took place on May 2, 2015, at the Churchill Downs. It was broadcast on NBC in the United States.
The race set a record for money wagered with $137.9 million bet from all sources. The entire day of racing had $194.3 million wagered. The derby was the eleventh on the race card, with eighteen horses starting the derby. Television viewership also higher than in previous years. The Nielsen ratings for the race were also excellent, with roughly 16 million viewers in total.
American Pharoah would win with a time of 2:03.02, ridden by Victor Espinoza. This would be the second straight Derby win for Espinoza, who rode California Chrome to victory in 2014.
7. The FBR Open Golf Tournament
Attendance: 170,802
Number in Attendance: 170,802
Location: Arizona, United States
Venue: TPC Scottsdale
Year: 2008
The FBR Open Golf Tournament’s Record Setting Crowd
The 2008 FBR Open Golf Tournament drew the seventh biggest crowd in sports history, with 170,802 in attendance. This event would take place on February 03, 2008, at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona. It was broadcast on CBS and the Golf channel in the United States.
It was the tournament’s 13th playoff in its 73-year history. With the tournament being held on the same day and in the same state as the Super Bowl, attendance for the event was still record setting, as this is one of the most watched events in golf.
J.B. Holmes would defeat Phil Mickelson on the first playoff hole with a birdie-3 to win the 2008 FBR Open. This was Holmes’ first career playoff appearance, with Mickelson falling to 7-3 in extra sessions. It was the 13th playoff at the FBR Open.
6. Collision in Korea
Attendance: 190,000
Number in Attendance: 190,000
Location: Pyongyang, North Korea
Venue: May Day Stadium
Year: 1995
Collision in Korea’s Record Setting Crowd
The wrestling event “Collision in Korea“ drew the sixth biggest crowd in sports history, with 190,000 in attendance. This event would take place on August 29, 1995, at May Day Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea. It was broadcast on Pay-Per-View.
The idea for the event came from head of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Antonio Inoki. He would collaborate with Eric Bischoff, president of World Championship Wrestling. The co-promotion would feature a match between Ric Flair, and Antonio Inoki. The record setting attendance would take place on the second day of the event.
This event would be an opportunity for World Championship Wrestling to gain international exposure ahead of its rival, World Wrestling Entertainment. The event would feature 15 matches taking place on April 28 and 29, 1995, with wrestlers from New Japan Pro-Wrestling and World Championship Wrestling competing.
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5. Brazil vs. Uruguay World Cup Match
Attendance: 199,854
Number in Attendance: 199,854
Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Venue: Maracana Stadium
Year: 1950
The World Cup’s Record Setting Crowd
The Brazil vs. Uruguay World Cup match drew the fifth biggest crowd in sports history, with 199,854 in attendance. The match would take place on July 6th 1950, at Maracana stadium in Brazil. Maracana Stadium has housed many huge events due to its massive capacity.
The press and public were so confident of Brazil’s victory, that for days prior to the match, they had already started declaring Brazil the new world champions. Brazil had won their last two matches against Spain and Sweden using an aggressive attack oriented style of play. Uruguay on the other hand barely beat Sweden and the match against Spain would end in a draw. In comparing those results, the public was certain Brazil would dominate Uruguay.
The match would begin with Brazil’s trademark offensive attack style keeping the ball on Uruguay’s side of the field for the majority of the first half, and scoring shortly into the beginning of the second. Uruguay would end up scoring two goals in the second half of the match, beating Brazil 2-1.
4. Events at Circus Maximus
Attendance: 300,000
Number in Attendance: 300,000
Location: Ancient Romeo
Venue: Circus Maximus
Year: ≈5 BC
Circus Maximus’ Record Setting Crowd
The Circus Maximus drew the fourth biggest crowd in sports history, with 300,000 in attendance. The Circus Maximus was the first and largest stadium in ancient Rome. It was an ancient chariot-racing stadium and mass entertainment venue located in the valley between the Aventine and Palatine hills.
The Circus was Rome’s largest venue for ludi. Ludi were public games connected to Roman religious festivals, sponsored by by the Roman state for the benefit of the Roman people and gods. Most of these games were held annually. They would range in duration, with some events lasting for days. Event types varied and would include religious ceremonies, feasts, chariot racing, sports, plays, gladiator fights, musical performances, and beast hunts.
The Circus Maximus was built to accommodate over 150,000 spectators, but some massive events would draw in a crowd almost double that size. At its full potential, the stadium would became the model for circuses throughout the Roman Empire. The site is now a public park.
3. The Indianapolis 500
Attendance: 400,000
Number in Attendance: 400,000
Location: Indiana, United States
Venue: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Year: Varies
The Indianapolis 500’s Record Setting Crowd
The Indianapolis 500 draws the third biggest crowd in sports history, with 400,000 in attendance. The Indy 500 is an automobile race held annually at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. The event typically takes place over Memorial Day weekend.
The race is a part of the IndyCar Series, which is the pinnacle of American Championship Car racing. The track is unofficially named the brickyard because it was paved in brick in 1909. The event is part of the Triple Crown, which is made up of three of the most prestigious motorsports events. This also includes the Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Officially, attendance is not disclosed by Speedway management, but seating and infield capacity have demonstrated an attendance of over 300,000. Massive crowds will attend, as this last weekend of May is known as one of the largest weekends in auto racing.
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2. Derby Day
Attendance: 500,000
Number in Attendance: 500,000
Location: Surrey, England
Venue: Epsom Downs
Year: 1914
The Derby Day’s Record Setting Crowd
The Epsom Derby drew the second biggest crowd in sports history, with 500,000 in attendance. The event is a horse race that takes place in England at Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey on the first Saturday of June each year. The first race dates back to 1780. The record setting crowds attended in 1913 and 1914.
The flat horse race is the richest and the most prestigious of Britain’s five Classics. The race serves as the middle leg of the British horse racing Triple Crown. It is preceded by the 2000 Guineas and the St. Leger. Today, the feat of winning all three is rarely attempted as the modern era of horse racing tends to focus on preserving the lifespan of the horse.
Due to the historical significance of the event, it is not uncommon for hundreds of thousands to attend. It remains one of Britain’s greatest national sporting events and has a large TV audience worldwide.
1. The Tour de France
Attendance: ≈15,000,000
Number in Attendance: ≈15,000,000
Location: France
Venue: Varying Route
Year: Annual
The Tour de France’s Record Setting Crowd
The Tour de France cycle race draws the biggest crowd in sports history, with approximately 15,000,000 in attendance at more recent events. The Tour de France is a men’s multiple-stage bicycle race that takes place annually in France, and sometimes passing through other nearby countries. The first race took place in 1903, continuing annually ever since, and growing into the international sports phenomenon that it is today.
Most of the race is typically held in the month of July. The route changes yearly, but the format of the race stays the same. The race alternates between clockwise and counterclockwise circuits of France. There are usually between 20 and 22 teams, with eight riders on each team competing.
As the race lengthened in distance, its popularity would increase all over the world. Today, the Tour de France consists of a 23 day course, over 21 stages, each a day long. Participation would expand beyond primarily French competitors to international riders as well. Participants in the Tour are all UCI WorldTeams and it has become the biggest annual sporting event in the world.
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