Top 10 most searched sports events of 2020


Top 10 most searched sports events of 2020

WhatsApp Image 2020 09 06 at 1.09.37 PM

Sardar Patel Stadium Motera

Google released its ‘Year in Search 2020’ report last week to list down all the significant search queries that took place in India. Every year, Google releases a list of all the topics that were trending across all genres. In the top 10 overall list, sporting events dominated the search queries. Despite being disrupted by the ongoing pandemic, the sporting events didn’t lose its following. Instead, the wait meant the admirers were even more hooked to it, waiting for their favourite events to return.

The year 2020 will go down history for the pandemic which continues to disrupt our lives. Yet the sports industry was not deterred by the deadly virus. And one of the first to rise after the early hiccups. As the year draws to an end, we bring to you the top runners in the sports category this year.

1. Indian Premier League (Cricket)

Indian Premier League Trophy

It is no surprise that the Indian Premier League (IPL) has emerged as the top searched sporting event in India. The cricket country had to wait for six long months for the IPL was postponed due to the ongoing pandemic. The 13th season of cash-rich league kicked off on 19th September in the UAE and was concluded on 10th November. Mumbai Indians lifted their record fifth title this season while Delhi Capitals ended up as the runners up. IPL emerged as the most searched query across genres even trumping COVID-19 on its way to the pinnacle.

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2. UEFA Champions League (Football)

UEFA Champions League Trophy

The most prestigious title in club football, the UEFA Champions League grabs the second spot on the list. The competition returned in early August as it resumed with the round of 16 stage. German giants Bayern Munich lifted their sixth title this season as Paris Saint-German finished as runner ups. The final was played at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski finished as the top goal scorer of the league with 15 goals to his name. Currently, the group stage of the fresh season has ended and the round of 16 draws have been declared.

3. English Premier League (Football)

English Premier League Logo

With a close finish to the season on the cards, English Premier League (EPL) emerged third in the list. Liverpool clinched their first-ever title as the league resumed on 17 June. Leicester City‘s Jamie Vardy finished as the top scorer with 23 goals under his belt. Having coached Liverpool to their first PL title, Jürgen Klopp was named the Premier League Manager of the Season. On the other hand, Manchester City‘s dynamic midfielder Kevin De Bruyne was adjudged the Player of the Season. Following the pandemic, the EPL organised a whooping 92 matches over a six-week period.

4. French Open (Tennis)

The Roland Garros

The 124th edition of the historic French Open was the last Grand Slam event of 2020. The Grand Slam was originally scheduled for 24 May but eventually took place from 27 September to 11 October. The clay-court tournament saw Rafael Nadal lift the title for a record thirteenth time as he defeated Novak Djokovic in the final. Iga Świątek clinched her maiden WTA singles title at the Roland Garros as she saw off Sofia Kenin in the final. On the other hand, the German duo of Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies won the men’s double title as Tímea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic lifted the women’s doubles title.

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5. La Liga (Football)

La Liga Logo

The year witnessed the 89th season La Liga since its establishment. And it witnessed a close-fought battle for the top spot between rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona which kept it in the limelight throughout the year. It was the latter who won the title for a record 34th time at the end of the season. The league was suspended indefinitely on 23 March and the season recommenced on 11 June. The Galacticos won the league for a record 34th time with one match remaining, after defeating Villarreal 2–1. Argentine legend Lionel Messi finished as the top scorer of the league with 25 goals for his boyhood club.

6. Serie A (Football)

Serie A Logo

Yet another football league made it to the top 10 of the list this year. It is the Italian top-flight league Serie A who is placed sixth in the list as it organised its 118th season. Record winners Juventus lifted their 36th title as they extended their streak of the eight-time title-winning streak. With Italy being the first country to be devastated by COVID-19, the league was halted only to resume on 20th June. Argentine star Paulo Dybala was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the Season. Lazio‘s Ciro Immobile finished the season as the highest goal scorer with 36 goals to his name.

7. Australian Open (Tennis)

Australian Open Logo

The Australian Open is the only sporting event in the list which was not affected by the ongoing pandemic. Organised from 20 January to 2 February, it was the first Grand Slam of the year. Novak Djokovic successfully defended the men’s singles title as he defeated Dominic Thiem to lift the title for a record eighth time. Playing her first Grand Slam final, Sofia Kenin went on to lift her maiden WTA singles title. In the men’s doubles, Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury clinched the title while Tímea Babos and Kristina Mladenovic lifted the women’s doubles title.

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8. NBA Basketball League (Basketball)

NBA Logo

The American basketball league NBA is well known for its popularity around the globe. And with passing years the league has seen a drastic growth in its follower base in the subcontinent. The Western Conference champions Los Angeles Lakers also won the finals to lift their 17th championship defeating the Miami Heats. James Harden finished as the top scorer of the season while Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo was adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the season. Toronto Raptors bossman Nick Nurse bagged the Coach of the Year award.

9. UEFA Europa League (Football)

UEFA Europa League

Much like its upper league, the UEFA Europa League were halted in the middle of its round of 16 stage. Returning in early August, all further fixtures were played as single-legged ties with the final being held at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne. Sevilla flattened Inter Milan 3-2 in the final to win its sixth Europa title. Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes finished the league as its top scorer of the season with eight goals to his name. Milan forward Romelu Lukaku was voted as the Player of the Season.

10. UEFA Nations League (Football)

UEFA Nations League Logo

Just in its second season, the UEFA Nations League has been a huge success over the last couple of years. The league phase of the second season started off in September this year. The defending champions Portugal failed to make it to the finals having finished second in the group. Norwegian Erling Haaland is currently the highest goal scorer in the competition with six goals to his name. The finals of the league are slated to begin in October next year. With the league having a say in the qualification process for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the competition has given a new context to international football.

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