Why do we watch sport? Is it to see the world's best athletes perform at their peak? To witness a nail-biting finish? To cheer for an underdog? Or are some of us simply not interested at all?
During Wimbledon, we asked members and visitors across Europe and North America a series of Question of the Day polls to find out. Across three polls, more than 23,600 people shared their views on what makes sport exciting, what leads to success at the highest level and what they hoped to see in the Wimbledon final. Here's what they told us.
What makes a sporting event worth watching?
When it comes to great sporting moments, the quality of the competition matters most.
Our first poll, with 8,562 respondents, found that 24.5% said great individual performances are what make a sporting event worth watching. Almost as many (23.7%) said they enjoy close competition, showing that fans value matches where the outcome stays uncertain until the very end.
Surprises also have their place. 13.7% of respondents said unexpected results are what keep them watching, while 5.3% were most interested in the emotional stories behind the athletes.
One result stands out for another reason. More than one in four respondents (27.7%) said they rarely watch sports. Even during one of the world's biggest sporting events, many people simply prefer to spend their time elsewhere.
What is the biggest key to an athlete's success?
Winning Wimbledon takes more than talent, and that's exactly what respondents believe.
Among 8,156 respondents, the most popular answer was All of the above, chosen by 33.1%. For many people, success comes from a combination of hard work, mental resilience, confidence, natural ability and, occasionally, a little luck.
Looking at the individual qualities, hard work ranked highest at 24.3%, closely followed by mental resilience at 21.6%. These findings suggest that determination and the ability to stay focused under pressure are seen as just as important as physical skill.
Only 8.2% chose natural ability on its own, while 5.8% selected confidence. Just 1.6% believed that success mostly depends on luck.
The message is clear: people see champions as being made through dedication as much as talent.
What did respondents want from the Wimbledon final?
As the tournament reached its conclusion, we asked 6,950 respondents what outcome they would most like to see. The most popular choice was straightforward. 33.4% wanted the best player to win, suggesting that excellence is still the result fans value most.
That doesn't mean people don't enjoy a little drama. 20.5% hoped for a dramatic final match, while 16.6% wanted to see an underdog win and create a memorable sporting story.
Breaking records was less important, with only 5.2% selecting that option. Meanwhile, 24.2% said they don't follow sports, reinforcing the idea that while Wimbledon attracts global attention, it doesn't captivate everyone.
What do these Wimbledon poll results tell us?
Across all three Ipsos iSay polls, one thing becomes clear: people enjoy sport for different reasons, but competition sits at the heart of it all.
They want to see athletes perform at their very best. They admire hard work and mental resilience more than natural talent alone. And when the biggest match arrives, many simply hope the best player earns the victory.
At the same time, our results show that a sizeable share of people aren't regular sports fans. More than one in four respondents said they rarely watch sports or don't follow them at all, highlighting just how varied people's interests can be.
That's exactly why we ask a new Question of the Day on Ipsos iSay. Every poll offers a snapshot of what people across Europe and North America are thinking about the biggest moments in sport, entertainment, current affairs and everyday life.
The next story could include opinions like yours. Join Ipsos iSay to share your views, influence future insights, and earn rewards for taking surveys on the topics that matter most to you.
*These results represent Ipsos iSay web visitors across North America and Europe, conducted July 6 - 12 2026, and may not reflect the views of the general population.
