Many people enjoy watching professional sports in the spring and summer! Some of the biggest sports leagues and events take place during these seasons, attracting millions of fans. Here are some of the most popular:
SPRING (MARCH – JUNE)
Baseball (MLB): The regular season kicks off in late March or early April, bringing excitement as teams start their quest for the World Series.
Basketball (NBA): The NBA Playoffs begin in April and last through June, with the Finals being a major highlight.
Hockey (NHL): The NHL Playoffs start in April and culminate in the Stanley Cup Finals in June, one of the most intense and exciting parts of the hockey season.
Soccer (MLS, European Leagues, Champions League): Many top European leagues wrap up their seasons in May, and the Champions League Final is a huge global event. MLS is also in full swing.
Golf (The Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open): Some of golf’s biggest tournaments take place in the spring.
Tennis (French Open): This Grand Slam event runs in late May to early June.
Motorsports (NASCAR, Indy 500, Formula 1): The famous Indy 500 takes place in May, and F1 is well into its season.
SUMMER (JUNE – AUGUST/SEPTEMBER)
Baseball (MLB): The MLB season dominates the summer, with the All-Star Game in July marking the halfway point.
Basketball (NBA Draft & Summer League): The NBA season is over by June, but fans still watch the Draft and Summer League.
Hockey (NHL Draft & Free Agency): The NHL season ends in June, but off-season moves keep fans engaged.
Soccer (MLS, International Tournaments): Major international events like the Euro Cup, Copa América, and World Cup (when scheduled in summer years) happen during this time.
Tennis (Wimbledon, U.S. Open starts in late summer): Wimbledon in July and the U.S. Open beginning in late August are major events.
Golf (The Open Championship, U.S. Open finishes in June): Another huge period for golf fans.
Motorsports (Formula 1, NASCAR, Le Mans): Big races like the Le Mans 24 Hours and F1’s summer races keep motorsports fans entertained.
Olympics (every four years in summer): The Summer Olympics are one of the biggest global sporting events.
Pro sports are extremely popular in spring and summer!
Here’s a deeper dive into each of these professional sports played in the spring and summer, why they’re popular, whether they’ve always been played during these seasons, and some other interesting details.
SPRING SPORTS (MARCH – JUNE)
Major League Baseball (MLB)
Why People Love It: Spring means baseball is back! The fresh start of the season brings optimism for every team, and fans love watching their teams build momentum. The ballparks are buzzing with excitement, and warm spring days make baseball games a great outdoor activity.
Has It Always Been Played in Spring? Yes! MLB has traditionally started in the spring since the late 1800s. Opening Day is a big deal, and baseball was long considered America’s pastime.
Interesting Fact: MLB’s Opening Day is often treated like a holiday by fans, and some cities even have parades or allow employees time off to watch games.
NBA Playoffs & Finals
Why People Love It: The NBA Playoffs bring intense matchups, rivalries, and thrilling moments. The best players shine under pressure, and fans love the drama of Game 7s. The NBA Finals in June often feature legendary performances.
Has It Always Been Played in Spring? Yes! The NBA was founded in 1946, and its season has always run from fall to spring, with the playoffs extending into early summer.
Interesting Fact: Michael Jordan’s “Flu Game” in the 1997 Finals and LeBron James’ 2016 comeback win over the Warriors are iconic spring/summer playoff moments.
NHL Playoffs & Stanley Cup Finals
Why People Love It: Playoff hockey is fast, physical, and unpredictable. Every game is a battle, and the Stanley Cup Finals in June are considered one of the most grueling championship series in all sports.
Has It Always Been Played in Spring? Mostly. The NHL season has typically run from fall to late spring, with the playoffs in April through June since the early 20th century.
Interesting Fact: The Stanley Cup is the oldest trophy in North American professional sports, first awarded in 1893. Players take turns celebrating with the Cup after winning.
SOCCER (MLS, EUROPEAN LEAGUES, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE)
Why People Love It: The final weeks of the English Premier League (EPL), La Liga, Bundesliga, and other top leagues take place in spring, meaning fans see intense title races. The Champions League Final in May is one of the biggest club soccer matches of the year.
Has It Always Been Played in Spring? Yes. European soccer follows a fall-spring schedule. MLS, however, runs from late February through October.
Interesting Fact: The UEFA Champions League Final is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, often drawing over 350 million viewers globally.
GOLF (THE MASTERS, PGA CHAMPIONSHIP, U.S. OPEN)
Why People Love It: Spring and early summer golf brings majors like The Masters (April), PGA Championship (May), and U.S. Open (June), featuring the world’s best players competing for legendary titles.
Has It Always Been Played in Spring? Yes. The Masters has been played in April since 1934, and other majors have had traditional spring/summer slots.
Interesting Fact: The Masters is famous for its green jacket, awarded to the winner. Past champions return every year for a champions’ dinner.
TENNIS (FRENCH OPEN – MAY/JUNE)
Why People Love It: The French Open (Roland Garros) in late May to early June is the only Grand Slam played on clay courts, making for long rallies and grueling matches.
Has It Always Been Played in Spring? Yes. The tournament dates back to 1891 and has been a spring event for over a century.
Interesting Fact: Rafael Nadal has dominated this event, winning 14 times, earning him the nickname “King of Clay.”
MOTORSPORTS (NASCAR, INDY 500, FORMULA 1)
Why People Love It: Spring is when Formula 1, NASCAR, and IndyCar heat up. The Indy 500 in May is a legendary race, while F1 sees exciting Grand Prix races worldwide.
Has It Always Been Played in Spring? Yes. The Indy 500 has been a Memorial Day weekend tradition since 1911.
Interesting Fact: The Indy 500 winner drinks milk in victory lane, a tradition since the 1930s.
SUMMER SPORTS (JUNE – SEPTEMBER)
MLB (MIDSEASON & ALL-STAR GAME IN JULY)
Why People Love It: Baseball is the biggest summer sport in North America. The All-Star Game in July is a fun midseason showcase, and fans enjoy watching home runs under warm evening skies.
Interesting Fact: The Home Run Derby during All-Star Weekend is one of the most exciting summer events.
NBA DRAFT & SUMMER LEAGUE (JUNE – JULY)
Why People Love It: While the NBA season ends in June, fans still get excited about the draft, where teams select future stars. Summer League in July lets fans see rookies play for the first time.
Interesting Fact: NBA legends like LeBron James and Kobe Bryant were No. 1 draft picks, while some superstars (like Nikola Jokić) were picked late.
SOCCER (MLS, EURO CUP, COPA AMÉRICA, WORLD CUP IN SUMMER YEARS)
Why People Love It: International soccer tournaments like the Euro Cup and Copa América bring national pride and intense rivalries. The World Cup (every four years) is the biggest sporting event on Earth.
Interesting Fact: The 2022 FIFA World Cup was the only one not played in summer (held in November-December due to Qatar’s extreme heat).
TENNIS (WIMBLEDON IN JULY, U.S. OPEN STARTS LATE AUGUST)
Why People Love It: Wimbledon is the most prestigious Grand Slam, played on grass courts, while the U.S. Open brings high-energy night matches in New York.
Interesting Fact: Wimbledon requires all players to wear all-white outfits, a tradition since the 1800s.
GOLF (THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP IN JULY, U.S. OPEN IN JUNE)
Why People Love It: The British Open (“The Open Championship”) in July is golf’s oldest major, played on famous links courses in the UK.
Interesting Fact: The Claret Jug is the oldest trophy in golf, first awarded in 1872.
MOTORSPORTS (FORMULA 1, NASCAR, LE MANS 24 HOURS)
Why People Love It: F1 races in summer take place in iconic locations like Monaco, Silverstone (UK), and Spa (Belgium). The Le Mans 24 Hours in June is the world’s most famous endurance race.
Interesting Fact: F1 races in hot climates like Singapore are physically brutal, with drivers losing up to 10 pounds in sweat per race.
OLYMPICS (EVERY FOUR YEARS IN SUMMER)
Why People Love It: The Summer Olympics feature global competition in sports like track and field, swimming, gymnastics, and basketball.
Interesting Fact: The modern Olympics started in 1896, and the 2008 Beijing Games were watched by nearly 5 billion people.
Spring and summer are packed with legendary sporting events, from baseball’s Opening Day to the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup, and global tournaments like the Euros and Wimbledon.
ALL OF THESE SPORTS DRAW LARGE AUDIENCES, BUT IF WE’RE TALKING ABOUT THE NUMBER ONE PROFESSIONAL SPORT WITH THE LARGEST CROWDS IN SPRING AND SUMMER, SOCCER (FOOTBALL) TAKES THE TOP SPOT.
WHY SOCCER HAS THE LARGEST CROWDS:
European Soccer League Finales (Spring) & International Tournaments (Summer)
In the spring, leagues like the English Premier League (EPL), La Liga (Spain), Bundesliga (Germany), and Serie A (Italy) wrap up their seasons with massive attendance.
The UEFA Champions League Final (held in May or early June) is one of the most-watched sporting events globally and fills giant stadiums like Wembley or the Santiago Bernabéu.
In summer years with the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro, or Copa América, stadiums sell out completely, with crowds surpassing 80,000+ per game in some cases.
LARGEST STADIUMS IN THE WORLD
Soccer stadiums tend to be the biggest sports venues, with places like Camp Nou (Barcelona – 99,354 capacity) and Wembley Stadium (90,000 capacity) regularly selling out.
2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar had stadiums holding over 88,000 fans per match.
SHEER GLOBAL FAN BASE
Soccer is the world’s most popular sport, meaning packed stadiums everywhere.
Events like the Champions League Final, the FA Cup Final, or any major international tournament bring crowds that rival or exceed any other sport.
COMPARISON TO OTHER SPORTS:
Baseball (MLB) – Regular season games are well-attended, but most stadiums hold 40,000–50,000 fans max.
NBA Finals & NHL Stanley Cup Finals – Arenas are much smaller (18,000–21,000 seats).
Indy 500 (Motorsports) – Holds over 300,000 fans, but it’s a single-day event.
The Masters (Golf) & Wimbledon (Tennis) – Iconic, but attendance is smaller due to venue size.
For spring and summer, soccer (football) has the largest in-person crowds, whether it’s a European league finale, Champions League, FIFA World Cup, or a summer international tournament.
Breakdown of TV Viewership for Spring & Summer Sports
IF WE LOOK AT TV VIEWERSHIP, SOCCER (FOOTBALL) STILL DOMINATES, BUT SOME OTHER SPORTS ALSO DRAW MASSIVE GLOBAL AUDIENCES. HERE’S HOW THE BIGGEST EVENTS COMPARE:
1. Soccer (Football) – The Undisputed Leader
Soccer dominates both in-person attendance and TV viewership, especially during major international and club tournaments.
Biggest TV Events:
- FIFA World Cup Final (Summer, every four years)
- Most-watched sporting event in history
- 2022 Final (Argentina vs. France): 1.5 billion+ viewers worldwide
- The entire tournament saw over 5 billion total viewers
- UEFA Champions League Final (May or June)
- Most-watched annual club soccer event
- 2023 Final: 450 million viewers worldwide
- UEFA European Championship (Euro) Final (Summer, every four years)
- 2021 Final (Italy vs. England): 328 million viewers
Why?
- Global sport, followed by almost every country
- Time zones work well for global audiences
- Events like the World Cup and Euro Cup bring in casual and die-hard fans
2. The Olympics (Summer – Every Four Years)
- The Summer Olympics is the biggest multi-sport event
- Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021): 3 billion total viewers across all events
- 2016 Rio Olympics: 3.6 billion total viewers
- Events like track & field, gymnastics, and swimming get the biggest viewership
3. NBA Finals (June) – Biggest Basketball Event
- 2023 NBA Finals: 16.9 million viewers per game (U.S.)
- 2017 NBA Finals (Peak LeBron vs. Warriors era): 31 million peak viewers
- Globally:
- The NBA is growing in China, Europe, and Africa, adding more viewers each year
Why?
- The NBA Finals are a best-of-seven series, so the audience builds over multiple games
- Star players (LeBron, Steph Curry, etc.) bring extra attention
4. MLB World Series (October) vs. MLB Regular Season (Spring & Summer)
- MLB is big in the U.S. but declining internationally
- 2023 World Series: 9.1 million viewers per game (Lowest ever, but still significant)
- Regular-season games don’t pull massive TV numbers, but local markets stay strong
5. NHL Stanley Cup Finals (June)
- 2023 Stanley Cup Finals: Average of 2.6 million U.S. viewers
- Hockey is huge in Canada and Northern Europe, but less dominant globally
6. Motorsports – Indy 500 & Formula 1
- Indy 500 (May):
- U.S. viewership: 5+ million
- In-person: Over 300,000 fans (largest single-day crowd in sports)
- Formula 1 (F1 Grand Prix Races – Year-Round, Peak in Summer)
- 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix (Max Verstappen vs. Hamilton): 108 million viewers
- Monaco Grand Prix (May): 68 million viewers
- F1 is exploding in popularity in the U.S. and globally
7. Tennis (French Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open – Summer & Spring)
- Wimbledon Final: 7+ million U.S. viewers, but much more worldwide
- French Open Final: Similar numbers
8. Golf (The Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship)
- The Masters (April): 10+ million viewers (U.S.)
- U.S. Open (June): 5-6 million viewers
- Golf is a major event sport rather than a week-to-week TV draw
FINAL RANKING: TV VIEWERSHIP FOR SPRING & SUMMER SPORTS
- Soccer (FIFA World Cup, Champions League, Euro Cup, domestic leagues) – 1.5 billion+ for World Cup Final
- Summer Olympics (Track & Field, Swimming, Gymnastics, etc.) – Billions over the full event
- NBA Finals – 16-31 million per game (peak years)
- MLB World Series (not in summer, but worth noting) – 9+ million per game
- Formula 1 & Indy 500 – 108 million peak race (F1), 5+ million (Indy 500, U.S.)
- NHL Stanley Cup Finals – 2.6+ million per game (U.S.), higher in Canada
- Tennis Majors (Wimbledon, French Open, U.S. Open) – 7+ million per final
- Golf Majors (The Masters, U.S. Open, Open Championship) – 5-10 million per event
Soccer (Football) is #1 both in-person and on TV, especially with the World Cup and Champions League Final.
The Olympics also pull in massive numbers across multiple events.
The NBA Finals and F1 races are growing rapidly, reaching new audiences.
People love watching professional sports in the spring and summer for many reasons beyond just the thrill of competition and the excitement of major championships. One key factor is seasonal enjoyment—warmer weather brings people together for social gatherings, whether it’s watching games at outdoor venues, attending live events, or enjoying a game on TV with family and friends at a cookout.
Sports like soccer, baseball, tennis, and motorsports thrive in these months because they align perfectly with outdoor activities and travel. Fans make a day or weekend out of events like Wimbledon, the Indy 500, or a trip to a baseball game, blending sports with summer fun.
Another reason spring and summer sports captivate audiences is the sense of tradition and historical significance. Events like the NBA Finals, Stanley Cup Finals, and Champions League Final have become annual staples, marking the pinnacle of their respective seasons.
The Olympics (every four years) add another layer of global excitement, showcasing world-class athletes in everything from track and field to swimming, drawing in casual fans who might not regularly follow sports.
Similarly, historic tournaments like The Masters in golf or the French Open in tennis carry decades of legacy, making them must-watch events for sports purists.
For many fans, the drama of high-stakes competition is what makes these events special. Spring and summer are when the most intense, season-defining moments happen.
Whether it’s a walk-off home run in the MLB season, an F1 driver battling for a championship, or a soccer team fighting for glory in a last-minute goal, these months are full of unforgettable moments.
Unlike the colder months, when sports like football dominate with physicality, summer sports often showcase technical skill, endurance, and strategy, drawing in fans who appreciate the finer details of the game.
Spring and summer bring a special energy to the world of professional sports, offering fans a mix of tradition, high-stakes competition, and the joy of watching games in beautiful weather. Whether it’s the roar of a packed stadium at a soccer final, the intensity of a Game 7 in the NBA Finals, or the thrill of a last-lap overtake in an F1 race, these months are filled with unforgettable moments that keep fans coming back year after year.
The longer days and social nature of the season make watching sports even more enjoyable, whether it’s at a live event, a backyard cookout, or a bar filled with passionate fans.
What makes these sports so special isn’t just the athleticism or the records being broken—it’s the shared experiences they create. From families passing down love for baseball or Wimbledon, to casual fans getting swept up in the excitement of the Olympics or World Cup, sports in spring and summer bring people together like few other things can. No matter which sport draws the biggest crowds or TV ratings, the true magic lies in the moments that fans will talk about for years to come.
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON THESE TOPICS THROUGH A VARIETY OF SOURCES, DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU’RE MOST INTERESTED IN:
1. Official League & Event Websites
- FIFA (Soccer/World Cup): www.fifa.com
- UEFA (Champions League & Euro Cup): www.uefa.com
- NBA (Basketball): www.nba.com
- MLB (Baseball): www.mlb.com
- NHL (Hockey): www.nhl.com
- Formula 1: www.formula1.com
- IndyCar (Indy 500): www.indycar.com
- PGA Tour (Golf): www.pgatour.com
- ATP/WTA (Tennis): www.atptour.com, www.wtatennis.com
- Olympics: www.olympics.com
2. Sports News & Analysis
- ESPN: www.espn.com (Covers all major sports, TV ratings, and viewership trends)
- CBS Sports: www.cbssports.com
- Bleacher Report: www.bleacherreport.com
- Sports Illustrated: www.si.com
- The Athletic (Subscription-based for in-depth articles): www.theathletic.com
3. TV Viewership & Attendance Statistics
- Nielsen Ratings: www.nielsen.com (Tracks U.S. TV viewership)
- Sports Business Journal: www.sportsbusinessjournal.com (Great for trends in sports media and attendance)
- Statista: www.statista.com (Provides data on global sports viewership)
4. Social Media & Fan Discussions
- Reddit: www.reddit.com (Subreddits like r/sports, r/nba, r/formula1, r/soccer, r/olympics)
- Twitter/X: Follow accounts for breaking news, sports journalists, and official league pages
- YouTube: Channels like ESPN, Sky Sports, or individual analysts who break down games and viewership trends