The England Lionesses’ potential victory in the 2022 Euros has been voted as the top live TV sporting moment of the past two decades, according to a recent poll.
The survey, which polled 2,000 sports fans, also highlighted Luke Littler’s extraordinary performance at the tender age of 16 in the 2023 Darts World Championship, and Leicester City’s surprise Premier League win in 2016, as other standout moments.
Other unforgettable events included Andy Murray‘s Wimbledon triumphs in 2013 and 2016, and the England cricket team’s historic victory against New Zealand to clinch their first World Cup in 2019.
The study was carried out by Freely, a free streaming service that provides live and on-demand TV and films from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. It revealed that on average, sports enthusiasts spend an incredible 172 hours per year watching live sports on TV.
Football emerged as the most popular sport to watch from home, with 62% of respondents choosing it. This was followed by tennis (33%), athletics (26%) and Formula 1 (25%). Cricket (23%), rugby (22%) and boxing (17%) were also among the favourite sports to watch.
In the last five years, nearly half (48%) of the respondents reported watching more women’s sports, with men slightly more likely to say this (51% compared to 46% of women).
Amy Rowcliffe, director at Freely, commented: “The Lionesses’ Euros win was truly iconic and memorable – it fully deserves to top this list. And watching sporting events live makes all the difference – even if your team didn’t win you feel part of something important.
“Seeing so many people watching more female sport is incredible and with the Lionesses taking top spot, it just shows how influential it has become.”
The survey also revealed that a substantial 36% of respondents are eager to ramp up the volume of live sports they consume on television.
Eight in ten staunchly believe that keeping major sporting events free-to-air, ensuring everyone across the UK can tune into spectacles such as the Olympics, UEFA European Football Championships, and the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, is essential.
When asked to define what constitutes an iconic sporting event, respondents pointed to instances where an underdog prevails (31%), a record is obliterated (29%), or the moment carries profound historical value (28%)and notably, a hefty 72% conceded that the dramatic flair of sports commentary is key in making those moments stick in our minds.
Diving deeper into the patterns of sports viewership, the typical Brit relishes following two distinct sports each week, yet those aged between 25 and 34 are the most avid supporters, with 18% regularly sampling four different kinds of sports every seven days.
A hefty majority (54%) expressed their willingness to give new sports a chance on the television screen, and nearly one-third (30%) admitted they’ve been motivated to personally dabble in a sport after being captivated by epochal moments broadcasted live.
There are numerous reasons why Brits prefer to stay at home and enjoy live sports, including the convenience of not having to travel, access to a fully stocked fridge, and the company of friends and family. Almost seven in ten (69%) believe it’s crucial to watch these moments as they unfold – with 59% citing the added thrill of not knowing the outcome.
Amy Rowcliffe, from Freely, commented: “People love watching live sporting events on TV and agree they should remain free for everyone and we have been spoilt this Summer with some incredible live sport.”
“As many of us watched the Euros a few weeks ago, we all celebrated and commiserated together, taking comfort in the fact that we could gather around the TV at the pub, or our homes and share the highs and lows with our friends, neighbours and colleagues.”
“There’s something so special about discussing a moment you saw live with a friend or colleague and as these survey results show, people truly feel that they are witnessing history, which is something we’ll all be able to enjoy while watching the Paris Olympics over the next couple of weeks.”
“Having the best sporting moments available all in one place and for free means that you won’t have to miss a moment. It’s extremely important to ensure live sports on TV remain free and easily accessible to everyone.”
