Largest attendance at a sporting event

The largest attendance for a sporting event is an estimated 12,000,000 spectators over a period of three weeks during the 2012 edition of the annual Tour de France cycling race. The 2012 Tour took place in three countries, Belgium, Switzerland and France from 30 June to 22 July with the riders covering a total distance of 3,496.9 km (2,173 miles). The organizers estimate that 80% of spectators were French and 70% of those watching were men.