Revealed: The top ten most in-demand UK-based sporting events in an action-packed 2024 – with a shock entry in at No 5 and THREE NFL games making the cut
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title clash with Daniel Dubois was the most requested British sporting event of the year according to ticket marketplace data Viagogo.
In front of a record crowd at Wembley Stadium, AJ attempted to join an elite group of fighters to become heavyweight champion on three separate occasions.
But in the end it was Dubois who would prevail as the pair faced off in the ring, scoring a devastating KO in the fifth round to be crowned IBF champions.
But heavyweight boxing isn’t the only sport that has revelers rushing to buy a ticket to watch the action live as it unfolds.
The NFL’s growing popularity on this side of the Atlantic has been further highlighted by multiple regular season visits to Britain, while international rugby remains a crowd favourite.
Read on as Mail Sport counts down the hottest tickets in town for 2024.
Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois was the most in-demand British sporting event in 2024, according to Viagogo data
In front of a record crowd, Dubois dominated the heavily favored AJ at Wembley
After securing a fifth-round KO, Dubois became the 15th Briton to win a world title in the heavyweight division
10. Rugby – Autumn International – England vs Japan
Steve Borthwick’s side entered last month in the middle of a dismal period having lost their last five Tests.
Yet a scoreless start to the Autumn Internationals was not enough to deter fans from flocking to the Allianz Stadium in the hope that England could turn the tide.
And they did the turning around too.
On Eddie Jones’ return to Twickenham, the hosts produced an emphatic display, comfortably keeping tabs on their outclassed opponents, much to the delight of the baying crowd.
A capacity crowd at Twickenham watched England break their winless Test run against Japan
9. F1 – British Grand Prix
A perennial favorite on the motorsport calendar, the British Grand Prix is steeped in history and promises to deliver exciting action every year.
While Max Verstappen wanted to increase his lead at the top of the drivers’ standings, more than 480,000 fans came to watch the event on a rainy Sunday in July.
After George Russell was forced to retire mid-race, Lewis Hamilton was able to hold off his Dutch rival and claim his first race victory in more than two years.
The result saw the Mercedes star claim his ninth win at the event and his 104th race victory in Formula 1.
Lewis Hamilton achieved his first victory in more than two years at the British Grand Prix in July
8. Premier League darts
At the 2024 PDC World Championships, Luke Littler emerged from obscurity into the most viral sensation the sport of darts has ever seen.
The teenager defied expectations as he reached the final of his first major match, before being defeated in an instant classic by world number 1 Luke Humphries.
The excitement surrounding the tournament created a huge demand for Premier League darts tickets, as fans from across the country watched the competition between February and May.
It was perhaps fitting that Littler exacted revenge on Humphries in the O2 final to secure the first major title of his prodigious career.
Teen sensation Luke Littler claimed his first major title in the 2024 Premier League Darts
7. Rugby Union – Autumn International – Scotland vs South Africa
In further proof that the appetite for international rugby at home is as strong as ever, Scotland’s Autumn International against South Africa is on this list.
In a rematch of the World Cup last year, Finn Russell and Co were tasked with breaking the Springbok code at a packed Murrayfield.
The hosts gave everything they had against the reigning world champions, with Russell’s kicks largely keeping them in the match.
Ultimately, however, South Africa would prevail 32-15, leaving Gregor Townsend wondering what could have happened.
Despite a capacity Murrayfield prepared them for, Scotland were unable to beat South Africa
6. Rugby Union – Autumn International – England vs South Africa
The last Test featured on this list saw England take the lead against South Africa twice.
Just days after the Springboks defeated Scotland, Steve Borthwick’s side were tasked with welcoming the world champions to Twickenham.
Ollie Sleightholme crossed the line to give England an early lead, with Marcus Smith firing home the subsequent conversion.
Ultimately, however, the visitors proved too much on the night and walked away with a 29-20 win to pile the pressure on Borthwick.
Despite taking an early lead, England were also beaten by the Springboks last month
5. eSports – The finals of the League of Legends World Championship
The inclusion of the Legends World Championship Finals is perhaps the most surprising entry on this list and is testament to the growing popularity of eSports in Britain.
Following previous rounds in Berlin and Paris, London’s O2 Arena was given the honor of hosting the annual event managed by League of Legends developer Riot Games.
In the final, South Korean team T1 defeated China’s Bilibili Gaming 3-2.
In doing so, T1 secured a record-extending fifth title in the competition and claimed $450,000 in prize money.
More than 14,000 people watched the final of the League of Legends World Championship at the O2 Arena
4. NFL London Games – Jaguars vs. Bears
Since 2007, the National Football League has brought American Football to British shores every year.
Interest in the sport has only grown in the years that followed and three regular season matches have been held in the capital in the past ten years.
This year, the Jacksonville Jaguars faced the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in front of more than 60,000 fans.
The Bears proved to be too much for their opponents that day, with Cole Kmet scoring two touchdowns from tight end to seal a 35-16 win.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosted two NFL games in 2024, both of which were included on this list
3. NFL London Games – Jets vs. Vikings
The first of the 2024 NFL London games saw the New York Jets face the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings took a 17-0 lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London.
However, four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers led a resurgence for the Jets and they were able to cut the score to 20-17 in the final quarter.
Ultimately, however, the thrilling comeback would not happen as the Vikings held on to their lead in the closing stages to continue their undefeated start to the regular season.
Legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers starred in an exciting clash between the Jets and Vikings
2. NFL London Games – Patriots vs. Jaguars
The last international series match to feature on this list also marked the highest ever attendance for an American football match in London.
More than 86,000 fans watched at Wembley in October as the New England Patriots took on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Both sides preceded the clash having struggled in their opening games of the season, with the Jaguars fresh from defeat to the Chicago Bears in London the week before.
The Patriots raced to a commanding lead and looked poised to inflict more misery on their opponents before a spirited comeback saw the Jaguars prevail 32-16.
A record crowd saw the Jaguars fight back from behind to defeat the New England Patriots
1. Boxing – Joshua vs. Dubois
The heavyweight title has been called the greatest prize in the sport and September’s blockbuster clash proves that saying is as true as ever.
After suffering back-to-back defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua went into the all-British showdown looking a reborn fighter as he prepared to return to Wembley for the first time in four years.
Dubois had now fallen in his first attempt at World Cup gold against the Ukrainian, but would not make the same mistake twice.
In a thrilling match, Dubois seized the initiative from the opening bell and dropped the heavily favored AJ in the opening round.
The 27-year-old continued to press his advantage and didn’t give AJ a moment to catch his breath before sending Joshua to the canvas to secure a historic win.