Top 10 Sports in 2020
Sports fans are in for a treat in 2020 with major sports events scheduled to take place during the year. As ever, there are some sports that always rule the roost when it comes to fan following. Fans are always searching for online betting odds in respect of sporting events. These are the sports I think will dominate the year 2020 from a betting fan’s perspective:
1. Soccer
Soccer, or football as it is known in many parts of the world, is the most popular sport with the biggest following. The best online betting odds are constantly sought on European football leagues, such as the Premier League and the La Liga, that are followed avidly by millions who bet on these events – especially due to the Coronavirus. The year 2020 will be especially interesting for followers of the game as it will feature the UEFA Euro Cup, considered by many as offering better quality than the FIFA World Cup. The current champions are Portugal who beat France in the final in 2016. While France underscored their dominance of the game by winning the World Cup in 2018, Portugal are led by the charismatic Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably one of the greatest players of all time. Although all this seems to be changed because of the Coronavirus epidemic.
2. Tennis
Tennis is likely to be a very special year for tennis fans as it could prove to be the final year of Roger Federer’s career. Federer, whose fans consider himself the greatest of all time (GOAT), is also likely to feature in the Olympics, apart, of course, from the four Grand Slams. Fans would also be interested to find out the online betting odds offered against the probability that Rafael Nadal, who has 19 majors, will manage to equal Federer’s record of 20 Slams. Nadal is expected to win the French Open on clay, his favorite surface.
3. Cricket
Cricket is another hugely popular sport that attracts millions thanks to its huge following in a populous country such as India. Cricket in 2020 will take centre-stage thanks to the T20 World Cup scheduled to be held in October. Apart from the ever-popular IPL, the inaugural test championship that is already underway will give cricket fans an additional reason to get excited and seek online betting odds offered on these events. The IPL is currently postponed, but we do believe the games will be back in no time.
4. Badminton
Badminton has become highly competitive in recent years. Millions of fans, especially in India, will be curious to find out whether China’s traditional dominance of the game will be further eroded. Indian badminton star, P V Sindhu, has given her countrymen cause for cheer, winning an Olympic Silver medal in 2018, and following that up with a World Championship title in 2019.
5. Volleyball
In an Olympic year, Volleyball fans will flock to Tokyo to find out whether Brazil can retain the Olympic medal in the men’s event. The South Americans gave their fans a sign of things to come when they won the World Cup in 2019 edging out Poland and the USA, who finished in second and third place.
6. Golf
The popularity of golf can be attributed to the presence of some brilliant players competing for honours at the world level. Leading the ranks in 2020 is Brooks Koepka, followed by the likes of Rory Mcllroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson. Interestingly, they are followed by the legendary Tiger Woods who has been on the comeback trail after a few years of relatively mediocre performances (judged by his lofty standards). The next event of interest is the first major of the year, the US Masters event, the Augusta National, set to take place in April.
7. Rugby
South Africa set the rugby world on fire when they managed to win the World Cup, beating England in the final. England themselves shocked their own supporters when against all odds they managed to beat both Australia and New Zealand. Immediate excitement among golf fans can be attributed to the upcoming Six Nations tournament in February, featuring Wales, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, France and England.
8. Basketball
The NBA (National Basketball Association) championship has contributed hugely to the popularity of the game. The ongoing 2019-20 season is due to end in April. Dominant teams such as the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors have huge fan followings. However, 2019 witnessed the rise of Toronto Raptors who wrested the title from the Warriors. Fans at the summer Olympics in Tokyo will be curious as to whether the USA can retain the men’s championship that they have won six times in the last seven Olympics.
9. Table tennis
Table tennis is another game with a worldwide following and 2020 is likely to be no different. To begin with, fans will be drawn to the ITTF World Team Championship to be held in Busan, Korea, in March. China dominated both men’s and women’s events in 2019 but their rivals, mainly South Korea and Japan, have scores to settle. With these countries set to host world events in 2020, the stage is set for exciting times in the table tennis world.
10. Athletics
In an Olympic year, athletics will take centre-stage. The Olympics to be hosted by Japan will draw the world’s best to Tokyo in July. Apart from the Olympics, the World Indoor Championships, the World Half Marathon Championships, the Paralympic Games and the World U-20 Championships will beckon athletics fans in 2020.