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Sports in World Cup: Top 10 Most Popular Games and How to Watch Them Live
2025-11-11 17:12
The rain was drumming a steady rhythm against my windowpane, much like the nervous beat of my heart during those final minutes of a close football match. I found myself thinking back to last Thursday's game at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, where I'd witnessed something remarkable - not just the plays on the court, but the electric energy of fans who'd traveled across the city to watch their teams live. There's something magical about live sports that no highlight reel can capture, that raw connection between athlete and spectator that transforms a simple game into a shared experience. It was during that rainy afternoon, watching replays of various international matches, that I decided to dive deeper into the world's most beloved sports and how we can experience them firsthand during major events like the World Cup.
I remember my first World Cup experience vividly - it was 2014, and I'd crowded into a tiny Berlin bar with thirty strangers to watch Germany versus Argentina. The collective gasp when Götze scored that winning goal still echoes in my memory. That's when I truly understood why football sits comfortably at number one in global popularity, with FIFA estimating over 3.5 billion people engaged with the 2022 tournament. The beautiful game transcends language barriers in a way few other sports can match. But what surprised me during my research was discovering just how diverse global sports preferences really are. While football undoubtedly reigns supreme, the landscape of international sports resembles a vibrant tapestry woven with different cultural threads, each with its own passionate following and unique viewing traditions.
Basketball holds a special place in my heart, probably because I grew up playing it in neighborhood courts where the sound of bouncing balls provided the soundtrack to my childhood. The NBA's global viewership has skyrocketed to over 900 million annually, but what fascinates me more are the regional leagues that capture local imaginations. Just last week, I came across a quote from a Philippine basketball player that perfectly captures the tournament mentality: "No extra. They're the next team that we have to win against to be able to move on." That raw, focused determination resonates across sports and borders - whether you're watching an NBA finals game in Miami or a local derby in Manila, that same competitive spirit unites athletes and fans alike.
Cricket surprised me with its staggering 2.5 billion followers, particularly strong across South Asia and the Commonwealth nations. I'll never forget my first cricket match in London - initially confused by the rules, but completely captivated by the atmosphere. Then there's rugby, with its World Cup final drawing over 857 million viewers in 2019, and tennis, where Wimbledon remains one of my personal must-watch events every year. Athletics, particularly during Olympic seasons, commands attention with Usain Bolt's 2009 100m world record race attracting an estimated 4.7 million live viewers - numbers that still astonish me. Field hockey, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, and baseball round out my personal top ten, each with their own cultural strongholds and viewing rituals that make watching them live such a distinctive experience.
Finding ways to watch these games live has become something of an obsession for me. I've stayed up until 3 AM to catch Australian Open matches, subscribed to three different streaming services simultaneously during the last World Cup, and even traveled to three different cities to experience playoff games in person. The digital revolution has completely transformed sports viewing - where I once relied on grainy television broadcasts, I now stream matches in HD on my phone while commuting. Official broadcast partners like ESPN and Sky Sports offer comprehensive coverage, but I've also discovered wonderful niche services that focus on specific sports, often providing more insightful commentary than mainstream options. During major tournaments, I typically use a combination of cable subscription, official streaming platforms, and occasionally sports bars for those games that demand communal viewing - there's nothing quite like celebrating a last-minute goal with fifty equally passionate strangers.
What continues to fascinate me is how our connection to sports evolves with technology yet remains fundamentally human. I've watched games on everything from a 60-inch screen to my smartphone, but the thrill remains the same. The key to enjoying live sports, I've found, is understanding the local context - learning why cricket means so much in India or why baseball stirs such passion in Japan. This understanding transforms watching from passive entertainment into an almost cultural exchange. My advice? Don't just watch the popular games - take chances on less familiar sports. Some of my most memorable viewing experiences have come from sports I knew nothing about beforehand, where the learning curve became part of the enjoyment. Whether you're streaming from your living room or cheering in a packed stadium, that moment of collective anticipation when anything seems possible - that's the magic that keeps us coming back to sports, no matter where in the world they're played.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
