• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 6, 2025

Euro 2020, U.S. Sports Eye Pre-Pandemic Levels

UEFA Euro 2020/Design: Alex Brooks

2020 was a year unlike any other, and attending a live sporting event was out of the question for fans all over the globe. As summer heats up and vaccines become the norm, the era of quiet stadiums is disappearing.

Italy, the first country to shut down entirely, is hosting the Euro 2020 tournament this week. Originally slated for March 2020, the prize money has increased by 24% from the last competition in 2016 to roughly $442.7 million. Fans are welcome with a new set of rules.

The tournament signals a sense of normalcy for sports worldwide. Major League Baseball now has 14 stadiums open at 100% capacity, with another 11 setting full-capacity dates. 

  • Forbes estimated MLB teams lost $1 billion collectively in 2020 after making a profit of $1.5 billion the year prior. Roughly 40% of the MLB’s revenue comes from ticket sales — only 60 of 162 games were played last year.
  • NBA teams will officially return to their normal 82-game schedule next season after recording a 10% drop in revenue to $8.3 billion for the 2019-2020 season.
  • NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he expects all 32 teams to have full stadiums for the 2021 season. Teams lost almost $4 billion in revenue last season.

Japan has already spent more than $35 billion on the almost spectator-less Tokyo Olympics, but other events may be a stronger indication of what’s to come.

“I wouldn’t say it’s back to normal, but we’re certainly headed in that direction,” said Noah Garden, chief revenue officer of the MLB, on the SportsPro Podcast.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
Jul 2, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) heads to the dugout prior to the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium.

MLB Changes Are ‘Showing Great Results’: Former CFO

Big stars playing in major markets “make a real difference.”
Jun 9, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field.

Guardians Pitcher Luis Ortiz Put on Paid Leave Amid MLB Probe

Reports say the investigation is tied to gambling.
Sophie Cunningham

WNBA Expansion Decisions Show League Prioritizes North, NBA Ties

One player ripped the league for its geographic choices.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”
June 29, 2025

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
August 30, 2024

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’