What is the biggest PROFESSIONAL spectator sport in the world?

[Sadie]

What sport brings in the most money and is seen by the most people in the world? I know that most people play football (soccer) but my Dad is convinced that auto racing is the #1 spectator PRO sport seen in the world. I have a hard time believing it as I find car racing extremely boring. I don't love soccer either but at least the people competing are excellent athletes. So what PRO sport is seen by the most people and brings in the most money in the world?
Any statistical data to back up an answer would be appreciated, a $1 bet is on the line here!

[Kat1245]

TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lulu]

in the world?
its hands down soccer

i myself dont care for the sport much.
but in every part of the world besides the US its HUGEEE

and to your dad
NASCAR isnt even closeeeeee.

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idk if its based on legit stats

but it basically confirms it

[Evie98]

Soccer


Football - Soccer.

A cumulative total of 30 billion viewers tuned into the FIFA World Cup 2002, of which one billion watched the Brazil-Germany final alone."

Here's a list of popular events from a few years ago:
1 Football: Euro 2004 final Portugal v Greece 153 million
2 Olympic Games: opening ceremony 127 million
3 Olympic Games: closing ceremony 96 million
4 American football: Super Bowl 95 million
5 Olympic Games: men's 100m metres 87 million
6 Olympic Games: men's 200m freestyle swimming 66 million
7 Formula one: Monaco grand prix 59 million
8 Football: Champions League final Porto v Monaco 56 million
9 Basketball: NBA finals 25 million
10= Tennis: Wimbledon women's singles final 21 million
10= Tennis: Wimbledon men's singles final 21 million
12 Cycling: Tour de France final stage 16 million
13= Football: FA Cup final Millwall v Man Utd 9 million
13= Horseracing: Grand National 9 million
15 Rowing: University Boat Race 5 million

Initiative collected data from 57 major TV markets, accounting for over 90% of TV households globally.

And another list, more recent events:
1. 2006 World Cup Final (300 million viewers)
2. Euro 2004 Soccer Final (153 million viewers)
3. 2004 Olympic Games: opening ceremony (127 million viewers)
4. 2004 Olympic Games: closing ceremony (96 million viewers)
5. 2004 Super Bowl (95 million viewers)
6. 2004 Olympic Games: men's 100m metres (87 million viewers)
7. 2003 Champions League (67 million viewers)
8. 2004 Olympic Games: men's 200m freestyle swimming (66 million viewers)
9. 2004 Formula One: Monaco Grand Prix (59 million viewers)
10. 2004 Basketball: NBA finals (25 million viewers)

[Kitty]

soccer according to wikianswers. stock car racing (NASCAR) has the most number of paying spectators in the USA, but in the world, its soccer.

[Lottie]

Even you dont like soccer ,it is the sport which is biggest in the world ,nosport can beat it

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