Ryder Cup, is it really the 3rd most popular sporting event in the world?

[Hacker Khan]

Was reading in a rival mag about the Ryder Cup and they stated that it is the 3rd most popular sporting event in terms of global audience behind the World Cup and Olympics. And it then went on to say that at it's peak Medinah drew more than 2 million viewers. But to put that in perspective a repeat of Dad's Army on BBC2 last week drew the same amount, and twice as many people watched All Star Family Fortunes.

So where are all the millions, even billions that are supposed to be watching? It it really bigger than The European Championships, really bigger than a cricket final involving Pakistan and India that it watched by over a billion. It's not in the top 10 sporting events in the US so unless Nicolas Colsaerts makes it prime time viewing in Belgium I am doubting that statement a lot.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

I think it is a case of the Ryder Cup still being a bigger deal in the UK & Europe than it is in the States. Certainly, in terms of television viewers I would agree that a cricket ODI between India and Pakistan would be bigger than the RC.

 

[USER1999]

In the world? No.

How about the superbowl, or the tour de France?

 

[One Planer]

In the world? No.

How about the superbowl, or the tour de France?

Add to that the 'world' series in baseball (where only American teams compete )

 

[fundy]

Personally would struggle to have it in the top ten but that wont go down too well on here I expect. Its not even the biggest event in golf for me

 

[Birchy]

The mag is definitely wrong as the superbowl is number one. Ive seen the figures in articles a few times and its always been the number one.

2 million viewers is nothing as well, I don't understand how this article wherever it is printed ever made it in!

 

[Sweep]

Add to that the 'world' series in baseball (where only American teams compete )

As much as I would like to tell you otherwise, I am afraid that we cannot charge the Americans with considering America as the whole world here.
The World Series is so called, because it was originally started and sponsored by The World newspaper

 

[Brian_C]

As much as I would like to tell you otherwise, I am afraid that we cannot charge the Americans with considering America as the whole world here.
The World Series is so called, because it was originally started and sponsored by The World newspaper

The World series is named after the newspaper that started or sponsored a new baseball competition back in the day, it's nothing to do with a World or global competition.

 

[Fader]

Looks like I've already been beaten on the history of the World Series being names after the newspaper that set it up and sponsored it!

The article though Imo absolute trash, Superbowl is the single biggest globally watched event, the likes of Olympics, World Cups, European championships, World Series, IPL, Heineken Cup, FA Cup final, Americas' Cup to name but a few would all get a more global viewing than the Ryder Cup.

If I had to list it amongst my own preferred events it would be a lowly 6th or 7th behind most of what I've already named

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I would put it in the top ten but not 3rd

It's my own personal favourite just before the Olympics

 

[Papas1982]

I would imagine they count total viewing figures. A one off super owl will have massive numbers as would a one of cricket match. But Ryder cup probably has more viewers over the days it runs that the one of day events. So if you consider major sporting events the other than World Cup, euros, copA America for football and then Olympics summer and winter it only leaves cricket tournaments. And whilst India Pakistan would be a big draw for say 6-8 hours. I doubt that New Zealand v Ireland in a group stage would be such a big pull.

 

[Stuey01]

Add to that the 'world' series in baseball (where only American teams compete )

Quite apart from the history lesson given by other posters on the origins of the name... There is a Canadian team, who have even won it twice!

 

[Papas1982]

The mag is definitely wrong as the superbowl is number one. Ive seen the figures in articles a few times and its always been the number one.

2 million viewers is nothing as well, I don't understand how this article wherever it is printed ever made it in!

Apparently superbowlsbarebwatched by upto 200m people in all links I can find. World Cup finals upto 600m. Not even close.

 

[Stuey01]

I think it's a bit of wishful thinking regarding the Ryder cup.

A thought though, could they be basing it on attendance at the actual event rather than TV viewing figures. The nature of the Ryder Cup being over several days and a golf course venue that can fit many more people than a stadium could put it higher up the list, using that measure.

Edit: re-read the OP, ignore this!

 

[Deleted member 18588]

I would imagine they count total viewing figures. A one off super owl will have massive numbers as would a one of cricket match. But Ryder cup probably has more viewers over the days it runs that the one of day events. So if you consider major sporting events the other than World Cup, euros, copA America for football and then Olympics summer and winter it only leaves cricket tournaments. And whilst India Pakistan would be a big draw for say 6-8 hours. I doubt that New Zealand v Ireland in a group stage would be such a big pull.

But outside the UK what are the viewing figures?

Some of the mainland European countries that provide players for Team Europe do not have live coverage and even in this country the viewing numbers are usually only around 2-3 million.

Golf, as a sport, is just not sufficiently mainstream to really register.

 

[Papas1982]

But outside the UK what are the viewing figures?

Some of the mainland European countries that provide players for Team Europe do not have live coverage and even in this country the viewing numbers are usually only around 2-3 million.

Golf, as a sport, is just not sufficiently mainstream to really register.

I have no idea of total viewing figures, they appear to be allusive online. Maybe the article is being clever in its wording and using events. Maybe only curtain sporting 'events' count. I would still rather watch the golf than the Super Bowl personally. But I have nothing to prove any others would.

 

[Deleted member 18588]

I have no idea of total viewing figures, they appear to be allusive online. Maybe the article is being clever in its wording and using events. Maybe only curtain sporting 'events' count. I would still rather watch the golf than the Super Bowl personally. But I have nothing to prove any others would.

Me too!

But I fear we are in a minority.

 

[Papas1982]

Me too!

But I fear we are in a minority.

i wouldn't be too sure on that. Less people may watch Ryder cup, but us figures show tht only 2% of Super Bowl audience aren't american.

 

[Hacker Khan]

The wording was 'As a sporting occasion, the Ryder Cup is only beaten by the Olympics and the World Cup in terms of global audience'.

Here's quite an old article that throws some doubt on it http://www.ryderdiary.com/ryder-cup-viewer-numbers/

Sounds to me like an urban Myth that some marketing person came up with ages ago, and then it's been exaggerated and used by various people to hype the event up. Which is kind of what the original article I took the quote from is doing,.

 

[CMAC]

what 'rag' is this that's spouting forth this badly researched nonsense?