The athletes, teams, and events that defined the year captivated global audiences, sparked conversations across platforms, and set new standards of excellence, particularly for women in sports. As we look back on this unforgettable year, here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the moments that shaped careers and marked turning points for entire industries.
January
The 2024 Australian Open was a showcase of tennis brilliance, with Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka emerging as respective champions. In a dramatic men’s final, Sinner mounted a remarkable comeback, defeating Daniil Medvedev after losing the first two sets to claim his first Grand Slam title. On the women’s side, Sabalenka successfully defended her title with a dominant performance against Qinwen Zheng, solidifying her place as one of the top stars in women’s tennis.
February
In one of the most tightly contested Super Bowls in recent memory, the Kansas City Chiefs secured back-to-back titles, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 34-27. Patrick Mahomes further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, leading the Chiefs to their second consecutive Super Bowl victory, a feat not seen in two decades.
The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), held in 2024 after a postponement, concluded with a thrilling final where Ivory Coast triumphed 2-1 over Nigeria. The tournament, which took place from January 13 to February 11, 2024, in Ivory Coast, saw the host nation secure its third AFCON title, with goals from Franck Kessié and Sébastien Haller. Despite Nigeria taking an early lead through William Troost-Ekong, Ivory Coast mounted a comeback, with Haller’s 81st-minute strike sealing the victory. This win marked a historic achievement for Ivory Coast, making them the first host nation to claim the AFCON title since Egypt in 2006, further solidifying their footballing legacy.
March
2024 will be remembered as the year of Caitlin Clark. The Iowa Hawkeyes star set the NCAA all-time scoring record, leading her team to the national women’s college basketball title game. Her rise transcended the sport, turning her into a symbol of the growing momentum behind women’s athletics. Clark’s seamless transition to the WNBA saw her setting rookie records and pushing the league into new territory. In December, she was named AP Female Athlete of the Year for her accomplishments on the court and her pivotal role in boosting viewership and attendance for the WNBA.
Women’s Sports Revenue Hits $1B
A groundbreaking report from Deloitte projected that women’s sports would generate over $1 billion in global revenue for the first time in 2024. This milestone marked a 300% rise from just a few years ago and highlighted the growing commercial viability and mainstream appeal of women’s sports across the globe.
April
The 2024 Masters Tournament, held from April 11-14 at Augusta National, showcased some incredible performances on the course, with Scottie Scheffler taking home his second Masters title. Scheffler finished 11-under-par, four strokes ahead of Ludvig Åberg, who impressed in his Masters debut with a runner-up finish. Tommy Fleetwood, Max Homa, and Collin Morikawa rounded out the top five, finishing tied for third at 4-under-par.
May
In a thrilling photo finish, Mystik Dan clinched victory in the 150th Kentucky Derby on May 4, 2024, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The race concluded with Mystik Dan narrowly edging out Sierra Leone and Forever Young, marking one of the closest finishes in Derby history. Trained by Kenneth McPeek and ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez Jr., Mystik Dan's triumph was particularly significant as McPeek also secured a win in the Kentucky Oaks with Thorpedo Anna, making them the first trainer-jockey duo to achieve this feat since 1952.
The 2024 UEFA Europa League Final was a captivating spectacle, played on May 22 at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, where Atalanta claimed their first-ever European title with a commanding 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. Following their emphatic Bundesliga title win—beating out Harry Kane's Bayern Munich and remaining undefeated all season in the league—many thought Leverkusen had this in the bag. However, Atalanta had other plans, as Ademola Lookman delivered an unforgettable performance, scoring all three goals to secure Atalanta’s place in history and silence the favorites.
June
The Boston Celtics made history by winning their 18th NBA Championship, the most in league history. Their title run was highlighted by clutch performances from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who solidified their place among the NBA’s elite.
The Florida Panthers captured their first-ever Stanley Cup in an unforgettable Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers. The victory ended the franchise’s long search for an NHL title and brought hockey to the forefront in Florida, where the Panthers’ triumph sparked celebrations across the state.
July
Mark Cavendish etched his name into cycling history by breaking Eddy Merckx’s record for most Tour de France stage wins. His 35th stage victory was a testament to his longevity and prowess in the sport, securing his place as one of cycling’s greatest athletes.
Spain defeated England in a dramatic final to clinch the UEFA Euro 2024 title. The victory was not only a triumph for the Spanish football team but also a testament to the rise of Spain’s young talent, marking a new chapter in the country’s rich football history.
August
The Paris Olympics saw Simone Biles etch her name further into the history books, becoming the most decorated U.S. gymnast in Olympic history. Alongside Biles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set a new 400m hurdles record and Noah Lyles edged out Jamaica’s Kishane Thompson in the men’s 100m final, delivering two of the most memorable performances of the Games.
In a stunning display of clutch shooting, the U.S. men’s basketball team secured the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, defeating France in a thrilling final 98-87. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams showing off their incredible skills, but in the end, Stephen Curry's late-game heroics sealed the victory for Team USA.
With just three minutes remaining in the game and the U.S. clinging to a narrow lead, Curry put on a shooting clinic. The Golden State Warriors star knocked down four consecutive three-pointers, stunning the French defense and leaving the crowd in awe.
September
Coco Gauff made history off the court as well as on, becoming the highest-paid female athlete. Her meteoric rise not only saw her rack up earnings but also positioned her as one of the most marketable athletes in sports, representing a new era for women’s tennis.
The long-awaited launch of the Pro Women’s Hockey League marked a milestone for women’s professional sports. The league’s inception was a step toward creating a more sustainable and professional environment for female hockey players, receiving widespread support from fans and sponsors alike.
October
The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the 2024 World Series with a dominant five-game win over the New York Yankees. Freddie Freeman’s incredible 12 RBIs in the first four games set a new World Series record, capping off one of the most impressive postseasons in recent memory. Shohei Ohtani made history by becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season. His record-breaking performance earned him the unanimous National League MVP, further solidifying Ohtani’s place as one of the most transcendent talents the sport has ever seen.
The New York Liberty capped off their historic 2024 season by claiming their first WNBA Championship, overcoming the Minnesota Lynx in a series that will go down as one of the most thrilling in league history. After finishing the regular season at the top of the standings, the Liberty’s journey to the title was filled with both domination and drama, culminating in an epic showdown in the Finals.
November
In 2024, Netflix made a significant leap into live sports broadcasting, beginning with the highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson on November 15. Held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the event attracted a record-breaking 108 million live global viewers, marking it as the most-streamed sporting event in history. The fight, which saw Jake Paul secure a unanimous decision victory over the legendary Mike Tyson, was streamed exclusively on Netflix, showcasing the platform's commitment to diversifying its content offerings.
Building on this momentum, Netflix expanded its live sports portfolio by streaming two NFL games on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. The matchups featured the Kansas City Chiefs against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens facing the Houston Texans. These games attracted over 24 million viewers, setting a new streaming record for NFL broadcasts.
Max Verstappen cemented his dominance in Formula 1 by securing his second consecutive World Championship. With nine Grand Prix wins, Verstappen broke records and proved his place among the sport’s all-time greats, becoming the first driver to win a title for a third-placed team since 1983.
December
In a season full of standout performances, University of Colorado WR Travis Hunter achieved something truly extraordinary, winning the Heisman Trophy as a two-way player—a feat that hadn’t been seen in decades. Hunter’s achievement has rewritten the narrative of what’s possible in college football, cementing his place in the sport’s history and marking a new era for multi-dimensional athletes. His unique skill set and versatility made him a matchup nightmare for opponents all season long, and his Heisman win in 2024 marked a historic moment for both the player and the game.
Cosm is transforming the way we experience live sports. Through its Shared Reality format, fans at their Los Angeles and Dallas venues can now enjoy live events like Premier League matches, Notre Dame Football, Big Ten Football, and premium horse racing events in 8K+ visuals, all within 87-foot diameter LED domes. The immersive experience bridges the gap between the virtual and physical worlds, making it feel as though you’re courtside or pitch-side, without leaving your city.
Even Wrexham, a team from the lower tiers of English football, is now part of the lineup, with their matches being screened at Cosm’s venues in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Who needs a flight to Wales when you can cheer for Wrexham with a front-row view and a local craft beer in hand?
