⭐ The women’s sports revolution
If 2023 marked the rise of the women’s sports movement, 2024 was the year of its revolution. From increased opportunities to bigger and better facilities to expansion teams, our fave trend of the year was the power, drive, and success of women’s sports.
Here are some of the highlights from a banner year:
🏀 Women’s basketball sees unprecedented growth: Fueled by the league’s 2024 rookie class, the WNBA broke records left and right in its 28th season. Attendance and viewership numbers skyrocketed as the league’s popularity ballooned, culminating in a thrilling five-game Finals series where one of the league’s original franchises, the NY Liberty, won its first-ever championship.
The sport’s traction extends beyond the W though: League superstars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier announced the creation of Unrivaled this year, an offseason 3v3 league set to debut in January — and presale tickets are already sold out as investments pour in.
🏒 The PWHL makes hockey dreams come true: Pro women’s hockey returned to North America in 2024, and it was everything. Record-breaking crowds enjoyed the action all season as Minnesota took home the inaugural title.
🏉 The women’s rugby boom has arrived: It’s no secret that the aforementioned Maher was a headline mainstay in 2024, whether she was winning medals, gracing our TikToks, or dancing with the stars.
💅 Women athletes take center stage: Five of the 10 most marketable athletes of the year were women, another trend we can get behind. Be it Simone Biles’ continued dominance or the Caitlin Clark Effect, women are not only receiving deserved recognition, but the money’s finally starting to follow suit. For the people in the back, investing in women’s sports is just good business.
🏅 Summer Olympics recap
🏅 Summer Olympics recap
👀 2024’s best and brightest moments
👀 Your favorite moments from 2024
👀 Your favorite moments from 2024
Now that we’ve shared our favorite sports moments of the year, let’s take a peek at some of yours:
Note: Some responses have been lightly edited for space and clarity.
“The U.S. women’s rugby team winning the Olympic bronze medal in the final seconds! I’ve never watched rugby before, but these women made me a fan of the game! “
— Lindsey O.
“Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc winning in Monaco (his home race), Monza (Ferrari’s home race), and Austin (my home race — or at least my first in-person race)!”
— Katlyn B.
“Pete Alonso’s home run in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers to send the NY Mets to the National League Division Series. Also, any moments with the Mets’ playoff pumpkin and Grimace fandom. It was just a fun season all around!”
— Amy B.
“My favorite sports moment this year, without question, is the Paris 2024 Olympics. It was the opportunity of a lifetime — to join fellow Canadian women’s sports and Olympic superfans in experiencing everything the Olympics represents…This fairy-tale experience didn’t just create memories — it changed lives.”
— Jay A.
“Alright, favorite sports moment of the year, hands down, SYDNEY MCLAUGHLIN-LEVRONE! She owned the Olympics and every meet leading up to and after. She’s the undisputed queen of the track!”
— Melissa L.
“My favourite sports moment from the past year is Team Canada’s success at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the first-year success of the PWHL.”
— Matthew W.
