Top 50 sporting moments Brits most want they’d seen stay embrace 1966 World Cup

A study involving 2,000 participants revealed that 21% wished they could have seen Bobby Moore’s team defeat Germany 4-2 at Wembley in person. Andy Murray’s first Wimbledon victory in 2013 came second, followed by Torvil and Dean’s Bolero performance at the 1984 Winter Olympics.

The research showed that 57% believe nothing compares to watching sport live, with 74% confessing there’s at least one iconic moment they wish they’d seen firsthand.

Muhammed Ali’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’, the 2005 Ashes triumph, and Leicester City’s Premier League title-clinching match also made the top 50 list.

Kellogg’s commissioned the study as part of its newly-launched Football Camps programme, which gave 30 children from Oxford and Bolton a chance to follow their heroes’ footsteps at the EFL League One Play Off Final.

A representative from Kellogg’s said: “It’s fitting that number one on the list of sporting moments that people wished they’d witnessed took place at Wembley, the scene of the EFL Play Off Finals over the next two weekends.”

“The beautiful thing about sport is that incredible moments are always just one match away, no matter how old you are or what level you’re playing at.”

“The feeling of live sport is one that absolutely can’t be beaten, and we’re thrilled to be able to provide this experience for young people this weekend.”

The survey also revealed that nearly half of the parents questioned are committed to enabling their children to witness as much sport as possible, in hopes of them experiencing a historic moment in person.

One in 10 respondents who wished they could have witnessed a historic sporting event chose Liverpool’s incredible comeback from 3-0 down to win the Champions League in 2005.

Wembley Stadium topped the list of iconic sporting venues that respondents would most like to visit, followed by Wimbledon’s Centre Court. Silverstone, the home of British motor racing, came third, with Lords, the home of cricket, and Twickenham, England’s rugby stadium, completing the top five.

Discussing the Kelloggs Football Camps programme, which runs from July to September for children aged five to 15, the spokesperson said: “Getting a VIP experience at Wembley is a dream come true for many football fans, so we were delighted to be able to get local kids on board our buses to support Bolton and Oxford for an experience they’ll never forget.”

“The programme aims to help kids get active and keep them entertained this summer at their favourite football clubs. With access to FA-qualified coaches, we’re giving children the chance to follow in the footsteps of their footballing heroes, and this weekend we’ve offered a flavour of just that at Wembley. We can’t wait to bring thousands of kids together across the country once the camps kick off in July.”

THE TOP 50 SPORTING EVENTS BRITS MOST WISH THEY’D SEEN LIVE:

1. England’s 1966 World Cup final victory.

2. Andy Murray winning his first Wimbledon title in 2013.

3. Torvil and Dean’s 1984 Winter Olympics Gold with the Bolero.

4. Usain Bolt winning gold in the 100m at the London 2012 Olympics.

5. London 2012’s ‘Super Saturday’.

6. Jonny Wilkinson’s last-minute drop goal for England against Australia to win the 2003 World Cup.

7. David Beckham’s free kick against Greece to dramatically secure England’s qualification to the 2002 World Cup.

8. Sir Mo Farah’s double gold in the 5,000m and 10,000m at the 2012 Olympics.

9. Liverpool’s comeback from 3-0 down to win the Champions League against AC Milan in 2005.

10. Muhammed Ali’s ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ win over George Foreman in 1974.

11. The Lionesses winning the Women’s Euros in 2022.

12. England winning the Ashes in 2005.

13. Jessica Ennis-Hill winning gold in the heptathlon at the 2012 Olympics.

14. Manchester United’s 1999 Champions League final win to complete the treble.

15. Ben Stokes’ Ashes-saving 135 not out at Headingly in 2019.

16. Roger Bannister breaking the 4-minute mile barrier in 1954.

17. Emma Raducanu’s stunning victory at the US Open in 2021.

18. The nail-biting Super Over that clinched England’s Cricket World Cup win in 2019.

19. Lionel Messi’s triumphant first World Cup victory with Argentina in 2022.

20. Roger Federer’s monumental 20th Grand Slam title win in 2018.

21. Sir Lewis Hamilton’s record-equalling seventh Formula 1 championship triumph in 2021.

22. The British and Irish Lions’ historic series victory over Australia in 2013, their first in 16 years.

23. Ronnie O’Sullivan’s magnificent seventh snooker World Championship win in 2022.

24. Sir Chris Hoy’s triple Gold medal haul at the 2008 Olympics.

25. Dame Kelly Holmes’ double Gold glory at the 2004 Olympics for the 800m and 1500m races.

26. Boris Becker’s astonishing Wimbledon win at just 17 years old in 1985.

27. Sir Steve Redgrave’s fifth consecutive Olympic Gold win in 2000.

28. Diego Maradona’s infamous ‘Hand of God’ and ‘Goal of the Century’ in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final.

29. Leicester City’s fairy-tale Premier League win in the 2015/16 season.

30. Serena Williams’ maiden Wimbledon title in 2002.

31. Manchester City’s treble triumph in 2023.

32. Jenson Button and Brawn GP’s Formula 1 World Championship victory in 2009.

33. Michael Schumacher’s seventh World Championship win in Formula 1 in 2004.

34. Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp Premier League title-winning goal for Manchester City in 2012.

35. Ellie Simmonds’ double Gold win at the 2012 London Paralympics.

36. Rebecca Adlington’s double Olympic swimming Gold in 2008.

37. Adam Peaty’s back-to-back Olympic Golds in the 100m breaststroke in 2020.

38. The ‘Miracle at Medinah’ Ryder Cup comeback win for Europe in 2012.

39. Sir Bradley Wiggins’ triumphant Tour de France victory in 2012.

40. Nicola Adams making history as the first woman to win an Olympic boxing Gold at the 2012 Olympics.

41. Michael Phelps becoming the most decorated Olympian with a staggering 22 medals in 2008.

42. Goran Ivanisevic’s unexpected Wimbledon win as a wildcard entrant in 2001.

43. The dramatic play off semi-final between Watford and Leicester City in 2013.

44. Paula Radcliffe’s record-breaking marathon run in 2003.

45. Wrexham AFC’s promotion to EFL League One just a year after being promoted to EFL League Two.

46. Tiger Woods’ triumphant return with the 2019 Masters win, his first major victory in over a decade.

47. Wigan Athletic’s surprising 2013 FA Cup win.

48. Sheffield Wednesday’s stunning 5-1 EFL League One play-off second leg victory against Peterborough Utd, overturning a 4-0 first leg defeat and progressing to the final on penalties in 2023.

49. Japan’s shocking victory over South Africa in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

50. Ipswich Town’s double promotion to the Premier League just a year after being promoted to EFL League One.