Women's Gymnastics: No. 1 Olympic Sport For Global Viewers | Commercial Opportunity Data

Women's Gymnastics:
the most watched Olympic sport



The Commercial Opportunity for gymnastics: popularity on a global stage


Women's pro sports is projected to hit $2.35 billion in 2025, but the share for Women's Pro Gymnastics remains at zero.

Once every four years, NBC dedicates more primetime hours to women's gymnastics than any other men's or women's Olympic sport. Then, after dominating mainstream TV, athletes vanish — with no prize money circuit, pro league, or sustainable means to monetize global popularity on the field of play, i.e., the competition floor. While women's sports revenue exploded 400% between 2021-2024, the commercial opportunity for gymnastics remains untapped.

During Paris 2024, Women's Gymnastics delivered the largest TV audiences in Paris - accounting for all four of the most watched days of the Summer Olympics. NBC's coverage of Day 1 Qualifications drew a massive 41.5 million viewers, the single largest audience of the 2024 Games.

Capitalizing on US TV audience demand, similar to Tokyo 2020, during its Paris 2024 primetime coverage, NBC aired more women's gymnastics than any other men's or women's sport. Clearly, this strategy paid off, as NBC reported record revenue for the 2024 Olympics - in fact, the highest ever in history.

We decode why this represents the ultimate women's sports opportunity, with GIGA's data driven insights that reveal the untapped commercial power of Women's Gymnastics.

USA gymnastics fans at the Rio Olympics showing enthusiasm and support

Women's Gymnastics is the most watched Olympic Sport

Bar chart showing Paris 2024 most watched Olympic events, with Women's Gymnastics qualification leading at 41.5M viewers
Women's Gymnastics delivered the largest TV audiences of Paris 2024. The sport accounted for all four of the most watched days of the Games. NBC's coverage of Day 1 qualifications drew 41.5M US viewers, the single largest audience of the Summer Olympics. Source: Yahoo Sports

NBC airs more primetime Women's Gymnastics than any other men's or women's Olympic sport

Chart showing NBC primetime programming hours, with Women's gymnastics leading at 6:40 hours
During the Summer Olympics, NBC airs more primetime women's gymnastics than any other men's or women's sport, proving network confidence in audience demand and the sport's ability to draw the biggest primetime audiences - more than any other Olympic sport. Source: Five Ring TV

Most popular: Americans look forward to watching gymnastics more than any other Olympic sport

Paris 2024 TV audience interest chart showing gymnastics at 37% leading all sports
US TV audiences consistently rank Women's Gymnastics as the #1 sport they are most interested in watching during the Summer Olympic Games. Source: Numerator

In Tokyo, gymnastics was the #1 Olympic sport among U.S. adults

Chart showing U.S. adult interest and TV viewership for top Olympic sports at the Tokyo 2020 Games, with gymnastics ranked first
Similar to Paris 2024, gymnastics ranked as the #1 sport US TV audiences were interested in watching leading into the Tokyo Games; likewise, women's gymnastics delivered the biggest American TV audiences during the Tokyo Olympics. Sources:Morning Consult, Axios

Women’s Gymnastics commands massive global TV audiences

Map visualization showing global TV and streaming viewership of the Women’s All Around final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics totaling more than 640 million viewers worldwide
During the Tokyo 2020 Games, more than 640 million viewers worldwide watched the Women’s All Around final, underscoring the sport's extraordinary audience appeal and international fan following. Source: Teads (via IOC audience data); map visual via presentationGO

Women's Gymnastics is the #1 sport global female fans watch and follow

Chart showing most popular Olympic sports worldwide with gymnastics leading among female fans
Global female fans rank gymnastics the #1 sport they watch and follow at the Olympics, with soccer most popular among men, and swimming top ranked by both men and women. Source: YouGov