Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title clash with Daniel Dubois was the most in-demand UK sporting event of the year according to data from ticket marketplace Viagogo.
In front of a record crowd at Wembley Stadium, AJ looked to join an elite group of fighters to become heavyweight champion on three separate occasions.
Ultimately though it was Dubois who would prevail when then pair went head-to-head inside the ring, scoring a devastating KO in the fifth round to be crowned the IBF champion.
But heavyweight boxing isn’t the only sport to have revellers scrambling to purchase a ticket to watch the action live as it unfolds.
The NFL’s growing popularity on this side of the Atlantic was further highlighted by multiple regular season visits to the UK whilst international rugby continues to be a crowd favourite.
Read on as Mail Sport counts down the hottest tickets in town for 2024.
Anthony Joshua vs Daniel Dubois was the most in-demand UK sporting event in 2024 according to data from Viagogo
In front of a record-breaking crowd Dubois dominated the heavily favoured AJ at Wembley
After securing a fifth-round KO Dubois became the 15th Briton to hold a world title in the heavyweight division
10. Rugby – Autumn International – England vs Japan
Steve Borthwick’s side entered last month’s in the midst of a dismal spell having lost their last five Tests.
Still, a winless start to the Autumn Internationals was not enough to deter fans from packing into the Allianz Stadium in the hope that England could turn it around.
And turn it around they did.
In Eddie Jones’ return to Twickenham, the hosts produced an emphatic display, comfortably seeing off their outclassed opponents to the delight of the baying audience.
A packed crowd at Twickenham watched England break their winless Test run against Japan
9. F1 – British Grand Prix
A perennial favourite of the motorsport calendar, the British Grand Prix is steeped in history and promises to deliver exhilarating action on a yearly basis.
As Max Verstappen looked to increase his lead at the top of the drivers standings, more than 480,000 fans turned out to watch the proceedings on a rainy Sunday in July.
After George Russell was forced to retire mid-race, Lewis Hamilton was able to hold off his Dutch rival and claim his first race win in more than two years.
The result saw the Mercedes star claim his ninth victory at the event and 104th race win in Formula One.
Lewis Hamilton secured his first win in more than two years at the British Grand Prix in July
8. Premier League Darts
The 2024 PDC World Championships saw Luke Littler emerge from obscurity to the most viral sensation that the sport of darts has ever seen.
The teenager defied expectations to reach the final of his first major competition, before being defeated in an instant classic against world No 1 Luke Humphries.
Excitement from the tournament snowballed into demand for Premier League darts tickets, as fans up and down the country watched the competition between February and May.
It was perhaps fitting that Littler exacted his revenge on Humphries in the final at the O2 to secure the first major title of his prodigious career.
Teenage sensation Luke Littler claimed his first major title at the 2024 Premier League Darts
7. Rugby Union – Autumn International – Scotland vs South Africa
In yet more evidence that the appetite for international rugby is as strong as ever across the home nations, Scotland’s Autumn International against South Africa makes this list.
In a rematch from the World Cup the previous year, Finn Russell and Co were tasked with breaking the Springbok code at a packed Murrayfield.
The hosts gave everything they had against the reigning world champions, with Russell’s kicking largely keeping them in the game.
Ultimately though South Africa would triumph 32-15, leaving Gregor Townsend to wonder what might have been.
Despite a capacity Murrayfield willing them on, Scotland were unable to defeat South Africa
6. Rugby Union – Autumn International – England vs South Africa
The final Test to feature on this list saw England twice take the lead against South Africa.
Just days after the Springboks had defeated Scotland, Steve Borthwick’s side were tasked with welcoming the world champions to Twickenham.
Ollie Sleightholme crossed the line to give England an early lead, with Marcus Smith kicking home the subsequent conversion.
Ultimately though the visitors proved too much on the evening, and walked away with a 29-20 victory to heap pressure on Borthwick.
Despite taking an early lead, England were also bested by the Springboks last month
5. eSports – The League of Legends World Championship Finals
Arguably the most surprising entry on this list, the inclusion of the Legends World Championship Finals is a testament to growing popularity of eSports in the UK.
After previous rounds held in Berlin and Paris, the O2 Arena in London was given the honour of hosting the annual event administered by League of Legends developer Riot Games.
The final saw South Korean outfit T1 defeat China’s Bilibili Gaming 3-2.
In doing so T1 secured a record-extending fifth title in the competition, and claimed $450,000 in prize money.
More than 14,000 people watched the League of Legends World Championship Finals at the O2 Arena
4. NFL London Games – Jaguars vs Bears
Since 2007, the National Football League has been bringing American Football to British shores on a yearly basis.
The appetite for the sport has only grown in the years that followed, and for the last decade three regular season games have been held in the capital.
This year the Jacksonville Jaguars faced the Chicago Bears at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with more than 60,000 fans watching on.
The Bears proved too much for their opponents on the day, with Cole Kmet scoring two touchdowns from tight end to seal a 35-16 win.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hosted two NFL games in 2024, with both featuring on this list
3. NFL London Games – Jets vs Vikings
The first of the NFL London games in 2024 saw the New York Jets face off against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings raced into a 17-0 lead at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in north London.
However, four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers led a resurgence for the Jets and they were able to cut the score to 20-17 in the final quarter.
Ultimately though the thrilling comeback was not to be as the Vikings held on to their lead in the closing stages to continue their unbeaten start to the regular season.
Legendary quarterback Aaron Rodgers starred in a thrilling clash between the Jets and the Vikings
2. NFL London Games – Patriots vs Jaguars
The final international series clash to feature on this list also marked the highest attendance ever for an American football game in London.
More than 86,000 fans watched on at Wembley in October as the New England Patriots took on the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Both sides entered the clash having struggled in their opening games of the season, with the Jaguars fresh of a defeat against the Chicago Bears in London the previous week.
The Patriots raced into a commanding lead and looked set to heap yet more misery on their opponents before a spirited comeback saw the Jaguars prevail 32-16.
A record-setting crowd watched the Jaguars battle back from behind to defeat the New England Patriots
1. Boxing – Joshua vs Dubois
The heavyweight title has been called the biggest prize in sports and September’s blockbuster clash proves that adage remains as true as ever.
After suffering successive defeats against Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua entered the all-British showdown looking like a fighter reborn as he prepared to return to Wembley for the first time in four years.
Dubois meanwhile had fallen in his first attempt at world championship gold against the Ukrainian but would not make the same mistake twice.
In a scintillating clash, Dubois seized the initiative from the opening bell, dropping the heavily favoured AJ in the opening round.
The 27-year-old continued to press his advantage and never gave AJ a moment to breath before sending Joshua down to the canvas to secure a historic victory.
