As 2024’s sports calendar unfolded, fans flocked to digital platforms to catch live action from across the globe. While many major sporting events grabbed attention this year, cricket’s flagship tournament, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, truly stood out—not only for the thrilling moments on the field but also for its record-breaking digital engagement. According to a recent report by ExpressVPN, the T20 World Cup became one of the most-streamed events of the year, highlighting cricket’s growing presence in the digital streaming landscape. Here’s a deep dive into how the T20 World Cup, became one of the biggest stories in sports streaming in 2024.
The T20 World Cup’s Global Appeal
From June 4 to June 30, cricket took center stage in a unique edition of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States and the West Indies. The tournament not only showcased cricket in new regions but also introduced the game to a broader, untapped audience, with the U.S. serving as a fresh stage for international cricket. The result? A remarkable 2.6 billion viewers worldwide, making this year’s World Cup a milestone for the sport.
The T20 World Cup’s combination of traditional cricket nations—India, Pakistan, Australia—and new host countries helped fuel its popularity across diverse audiences. In addition to the breathtaking action, cricket fans in countries like South Africa, the UK, and Canada joined the digital wave, setting the stage for a streaming revolution.
Digital Engagement: A Record-Breaking Leap
It wasn’t just the number of viewers that stood out in 2024. Digital engagement reached new heights, with a stunning 16.9 billion video views—158% more than the previous edition in 2022. This leap underscores how much the sport has evolved in terms of reach, with fans increasingly turning to online platforms for their cricket fix.
The tournament reached unprecedented streaming numbers, particularly during key moments like the final clash between India and South Africa. Disney+ Hotstar, one of the leading platforms for cricket streaming in India and beyond, recorded a peak concurrent viewership of nearly 53 million. This moment alone cemented the T20 World Cup’s place in the annals of cricket streaming history, further solidifying the growing shift towards digital-first sports consumption.
The Streaming Revolution: Cricket’s New Era
In 2024, the T20 World Cup was not just about live games but about the complete digital experience. Highlights, analysis, interactive content, and behind-the-scenes access contributed to a holistic fan experience. Platforms like Disney+ Hotstar, ESPN+, and Willow TV capitalized on the demand for content by offering exclusive streaming features and even multi-angle viewing, giving fans more control over how they consumed the game.
What’s also interesting is how cricket streaming is growing in markets traditionally less associated with the sport. For example, in the United States, where the sport is still in its nascent stages of growth, the T20 World Cup piqued the interest of curious viewers, thanks to its digital-first approach. This is a significant step forward, with streaming playing a key role in cricket’s future expansion in non-traditional markets.
Cricket’s Competition: How Other Sports Fared
While cricket enjoyed its moment in the sun, other major sports events also commanded significant streaming numbers in 2024. From the Olympic Games to the UEFA Champions League, the streaming landscape was crowded. However, what set cricket apart was its ability to fuse traditional sporting fervor with modern technology, creating an immersive, highly engaging experience for fans.
Conclusion:
As we reflect on 2024, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be remembered not only for the incredible cricket played on the field but for how it reshaped the way we consume sports content. The tournament’s streaming success—marked by record-breaking viewership and unprecedented engagement—signals a new era for cricket, where the digital realm plays an increasingly pivotal role in connecting fans to the sport.
With more tournaments, leagues, and international matches moving to digital-first platforms, it’s clear that cricket’s global reach will only continue to expand in the years to come. For cricket fans, this is just the beginning of an exciting new chapter in the sport’s history. All of this insight is based on the detailed findings from ExpressVPN, which analyzed streaming data from across the world to highlight these significant trends.
