2024 Olympics: What We Learned from the Public

In the lead-up to the 2024 Olympic Games, we asked our community at Angelfish Opinions to share their excitement and plans for engaging with the event.

While the Olympics may now have passed, understanding public sentiment around major sporting events remains valuable. From interest levels to how people intend to watch, our community insights provide quick, useful feedback for brands looking to tap into audience engagement. Here’s what we learned from the public about their Olympic viewing habits and how people engage with large-scale events.

Who we asked

We surveyed a mix of respondents across the UK, capturing their excitement for the 2024 Olympics and how they intended to follow the event. The feedback highlighted varying levels of interest and differing ways in which people planned to engage with the Games.

Key findings

Here are the standout results from our survey:

Viewing habits

Around 40% of respondents planned to watch at least a few of the events, while a third said they would watch half or more of the Games. On the other hand, 13% stated they did not plan to watch any part of the Olympics, with the remainder being unsure.

Attendance

Not many respondents attended the Games in Paris, with only 5% saying they had secured tickets. Of those who went, 75% found the ticketing process easy, showing that access to the event was relatively smooth for those who tried.

How people watched

A majority of people (60%) planned to watch the Games live on BBC television, while 20% intended to use the BBC Sport website or app. A smaller percentage caught up via BBC Radio 5 or a combination of platforms.

Surprising insight

One particularly interesting finding was the environmental concern linked to the Games:

Environmental impact

This year’s Olympic Committee committed to cutting carbon emissions by half, but the environmental impact remained a concern for many. A significant portion of respondents were somewhat or very concerned about the carbon footprint of hosting the event, reflecting growing awareness around sustainability, even during large global events.

Changing consumption habits

With more people opting for online platforms like the BBC Sport app to follow the Games, there was a shift away from traditional TV viewing. This trend may have longer-term implications for how people engage with major sporting events in the future.

Our pulse survey provided valuable insight into how the public engaged with the 2024 Olympics. Brands and broadcasters can use this data to understand how people watched and what concerns shaped their attitudes towards the Games.

Need insights for your next project?

Contact Angelfish Fieldwork to find out how our market research services can help you stay in tune with public opinion. 

Whether you’re planning an upcoming pitch or finalising your research, Angelfish Fieldwork can help with insights and support. Explore some of our recent pulse surveys—find out what people thought about the 2024 Election Results and the 2024 Back to School period—and see how we can help you succeed. Get in touch today!