When it comes to sports, few things make people talk more than viral moments. And this year has seen a number of them. From the “pommel horse guy” winning a bronze medal and a spot on “Dancing with the Stars” to a French pole vaulter’s — uh, package getting in the way of his jump, these events turned heads, went viral and inspired countless memes.
Patrick Mahomes’ no-look, no-feel touchdown pass in the Super Bowl gave fans something to rally around. As a result, the play was watched 700 million times on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter alone. And Mahomes’ creativity and composure in the heat of the moment is inspiring young athletes all over the world to get creative on the field and in their social media content.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and France was a fierce match that captivated the public. But Lionel Messi’s calm penalty shootout that secured victory for his team was what really blew up on social media. Fans flocked to TikTok and Instagram to watch, share, and comment on the video of the final shootout, and even months later it is still one of the most shared sports videos in history.
Real-time search trends highlight how quickly interest in a sporting event can rise and fall. Leverage data to monitor changes in audience interest and craft campaigns that speak to these movements. For example, take advantage of the spike in interest in female athletes and tell a more human story that resonates with your audience.