The sports world in 2024 delivered unforgettable moments, filled with seismic shifts, heartbreaks, and unexpected triumphs. More is set to follow in the New Year, with the PDC Darts World Championship crowning the first champion of the year, and tennis’ Australian Open not far behind. But while those events will shape the start of 2025, here are our highlights of 2024.
Netflix Changes the Game
Online streaming has revolutionized the way we consume content, and giant Netflix has long been known as the titan in the game. They have become the major player in the world of films and TV shows, even successfully bankrupting one-time-juggernaut Blockbuster with its forward-thinking ideas.
But the American billion-dollar behemoth isn’t just content with securing the big and silver screen markets. Now, it has officially thrown its hat into the ring in the world of sports, shaking traditional broadcasters to their core.
The company made an electric debut by securing the rights to the much-hyped showdown between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson. The fight was as much an event as it was a spectacle, pitting the youthful energy and YouTube-born bravado of 27-year-old Problem Child against the unmatched experience and unyielding ferocity of the 58-year-old former World Heavyweight Champion. While the bout was probably the most watched boxing contest of all time – with up to 60m homes streaming the bout worldwide – it ended up being a dud.
The veteran Tyson had his moments in the first round, but from there, youthful exuberance took over. Paul peppered away from the outsider to build up a huge points lead and eventually secured a wide unanimous decision. While the bout was a disappointment for fans, for Netflix, it was a roaring success, despite some buffering issues that hindered the experience. They shattered broadcasting records proving that they were here to stay in the sporting landscape.
Now that the streaming giant has entered the fray, the status quo will surely be disrupted. Things such as free live football streaming have long been a thing, especially with online bookmakers who usually allow one to stream for free providing they have a paid account. But Netflix is the biggest of them all, and broadcasting this event was just the beginning of their foray into the sporting world.
They will be broadcasting two live NFL games on Christmas Day, with the AFC North crunch clash between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers as well as a heavyweight contest between the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans both being exclusively streamed. As well as that, WWE Monday Night Raw will be a Netflix Exclusive in 2024 in the United States, while every event from the professional wrestling company will be available worldwide.
England’s Euro Heartbreak—Again
The ghost of England’s 2021 European Championship final loss came back to haunt them in 2024, as Gareth Southgate’s squad suffered an agonizing defeat in their second consecutive continental final. The Three Lions entered the tournament full of promise, but they stuttered their way through to the final thanks to a slew of last-gasp goals from Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Ollie Watkins. Unfortunately for them, in the Berlin showpiece, they met the team of the tournament in the form of Spain, and Southgate’s luck would run out.
La Roja took a deserved lead just seconds after halftime through Nico Williams to put one hand on the trophy. Cole Palmer swept home deep into the second half for England, and it looked as though the Three Lions would be up to their late-late heroics once more. This time however, it wasn’t to be as Mikel Oyarzabal netted five minutes before full time to take the trophy to Madrid for a record-breaking fourth time.
The result cost longtime manager Southgate his job, with the former Middlesbrough captain resigning from his post shortly after the defeat. In his place comes former Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel, and the German will be aiming to end 60 years of English hurt at the 2026 World Cup in 18 months’ time.
