Sport is of high value in the life of each of us. It not only helps to strengthen the body and spirit but also gives us the opportunity to restore health, improve physical shape and mood. In the world, there are a huge number of different sports. The GBC Time team has found out what are the most popular sports in the world. Read more information about this in the following article.
The most popular sports in the world: why is it important for us?
Sports becomes an integral part of our lives in early childhood. In most countries, the school schedule provides physical education classes a few times a week, at which children have the opportunity to learn and practice diverse sports: football, volleyball, basketball, and others. After graduation from school, we do not give up taking sports – for most of us, it turns into a hobby and sometimes even into a profession. At present, in all countries of our enormous world sports are passionately followed.
However, we enjoy not only practicing sports but also watching them. We find sporting heroes and try to follow them as our role models. As a rule, we are emotionally attached to our favorite teams and athletes: we are so happy when they win and extremely sad when they lose.
This goes without saying that people living in different regions of the world are interested in different sports. That is why to compile a list of the most popular sports is such a complicated task.
Criteria utilized for the ranking of the world most popular sports
Making our reliable rating of the most popular sports, we took into account a number of factors. The most important one is a number of its supporters. However, we also paid attention to other criteria:
- infrastructure;
- a number of professional leagues worldwide;
- TV contracts;
- sponsorship contracts;
- sport’s coverage on the Internet and social media;
- accessibility for the general public;
- relevancy during diverse seasons of the year;
- a number of countries where a certain sport is played.
The list of most popular sports in the world
1. Football
The dominance of football on the planet is so obvious that its first place in our list should be no surprise to anyone. Football is much more popular in Europe than in other parts of the world, where for many, it became not just a game but a lifestyle. Football news constantly appear in the headlines of major newspapers, especially in the UK, Germany, France, Spain. The most significant event in this sport is the FIFA World Cup. One of the reasons for its popularity is the fact that football is one of the most affordable sports in the world, and there is hardly a person who has never hit a ball in his or her life. Bellow, you will find more information on how football ranks on some of the criteria that we have mentioned above.
Sport’s coverage on the Internet: It goes without saying that football is highly popular on the Internet. Every day, millions of people from diverse countries of the world look for the most exciting news regarding their favourite teams, football leagues and tournaments, incredible life stories of the most famous players, and most successful coaches. And all major search engines just prove this.
Football coverage on social media: Now you will easily find a lot of outlets that are full of content concerning football. Due to a large number of fans of this sport, major football news turn into social media top trends very quickly. The most successful players in the world such as Ronaldo and Messi, have many followers on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Sport’s popularity on TV: If to take into account a number of people following diverse matches, football is certainly the king. Millions of people sit in front of their TV screens when the major tournaments, for instance, the FIFA World Cup, take place.
A number of professional football leagues worldwide: In this case, football is again the leader since it has the highest number of professional leagues worldwide.
Sponsorship contracts: Individual football players and teams get millions of dollars for sponsorship contracts. Diverse brands are ready to pay such incredible sums of money for the possibility to put their names on the shirts of players representing the most famous football clubs in different countries of the world. Look through other fascinating articles at our online magazine if you want to find out who is the highest-paid player in football at the moment.
Its relevancy during diverse seasons of the year: It does not matter what season of the year it is, you will certainly find interesting news and stories regarding football in the headlines of the magazines. The matches of major leagues usually take place from August until May, and in other months, you will be able to watch international friendlies, for example.
A number of countries where this sport is played: Football is among a few sports that are played in almost all countries around the world.
Accessibility for the general public: No one will argue that football is one of the most accessible sports disciplines in the whole world. Why is it so? Everything is simple: in order to start playing football, you just need 2 goalposts and a ball. Therefore, every person can afford to practice this sport, even if he or she does not have much money. This is the exact reason why football is highly popular not only in the most developed countries of the world but also in poor states such as Ethiopia and Liberia.
2. Cricket
It is extremely popular in Australia, India, England, New Zealand. The main attributes of this game are a ball and a bat. Teams (11 people each) enter the field and try to earn as many points as possible. Playing cricket, you can have a great time, and it is not necessary to be a professional. Today, the number of girls involved in cricket at a professional level is growing rapidly.
3. Hockey
It is a winter sport. Hockey is widely in demand in the USA, Russia, Canada, Sweden, Finland. It used to be very popular in the Czech Republic and Slovakia but now it draws on spectators in these countries only during major international competitions. The goal of the game is to net a goal. Required skills: high physical fitness, endurance and team spirit.
4. Tennis
This sport is known for a large number of legendary athletes. Tennis events are held all over the world throughout the calendar year without interruptions but in summer, it attracts the highest number of spectators. Tennis can be played on different surfaces: grass courts, clay courts, hard courts and artificial grass. The game requires high stamina and good physical shape.
5. Volleyball
This sport is also included in the list of the top ten most popular sports in the world It was invented in the United States at the origins of the 20th century. Previously, the game was held only in the gym, later another variety – beach volleyball – appeared. The aim of both variants is to send the ball over the net to ground it on the opponent’s side.
6. Table tennis
It is an Olympic sport. The game appeared at the end of the 19th century. It is extremely popular in Asian countries, where over 5.5 million people are professionally involved. In order to achieve success in table tennis, it is important to have a rapid reaction. If you are good at making forecasts regarding diverse matches and want to try your luck, look at tips that will be useful in sporting betting.
7. Basketball
It is also one of the most popular sports in the world. Besides, experts are sure that basketball will become even more popular soon. A game appeared in the United States, and then quickly migrated to other countries and continents. To be successful in this sport, it is important not only to be high but also to develop such qualities as endurance and strength.
8. Baseball
The game appeared back in the 19th century in the United States. Today, it is played in one hundred twenty-two countries in the world. Baseball is especially popular in the USA, Canada and Cuba. Americans consider baseball their national game so this is the most common sport in the country. One of its main features is a high number of rules which should be learnt by sportsmen in order to avoid mistakes and play successfully.
9. Rugby
Thinking about what are the 10 most popular sports in the world, we have included this sport on our list. Rugby is one of the main sports in some developed countries (England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand). The objective of the game is to kick or carry the ball towards the opponent’s goal line where it is necessary to ground the ball. Those who want to achieve success at rugby should meet the following requirements: have endurance, physical strength, moral stability, and quick reaction.
10. Golf
The sport is quite popular in such countries as Japan, South Korea, the USA and the UK. It can be played by people of all ages, regardless of their physical shape. Game rules may vary from country to country. In order to learn to play golf, you need accuracy and prudence. Golf is an expensive sport because it requires special equipment of excellent quality and a good course with fine grass.
The most popular sports in the world: statistics
| Sport | Number of fans |
| Football | Four billion |
| Cricket | Two and a half billion |
| Hockey | Two billion |
| Tennis | One billion |
| Volleyball | Nine hundred million |
| Table tennis | Eight hundred and seventy-five million |
| Basketball | Eight hundred and twenty-five million |
| Baseball | Five hundred million |
| Rugby | Four hundred and seventy-five million |
| Golf | Four hundred and fifty million |
Thus, thanks to the below-mentioned statistics, it is clear now what is the most popular sports in the world.
The fastest-growing sports right now
Boxing
While boxing was arguably one of the most famous sports for a considerable amount of time, the attention to it has begun growing significantly in the latest years. The best boxers now earn dozens of millions of dollars per bout, while the audience’s and overall media attention is somewhat great. Being simple for understanding and pretty excited to watch, the top clashes can deliver the necessary level of excitement and adrenaline for viewers.
The need to divide opponents by different weight classes brings multiple chances to become the best or find the most interesting boxer for every fan. Thus, one can choose a flashy style of battling in the lightweight divisions or wait for a one-shot delivery among the heavyweights. Some fans stop their attention in the middle, where both knockouts and active boxing work are present.
MMA fighting
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is of great interest right now due to its unique nature. Thus, it combined the major approaches of diverse combating sports like boxing, wrestling, karate, and many more. Unlike in boxing, the MMA fighter has to be trained in multiple directions and be ready for heavy punches and leg attacks or wrestling methods. While also having knockouts and decision wins like in boxing, the diversity of superiority tactics and chances to achieve the positive result is much bigger.
The most well-known organization in MMA fighting is the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Even though it was founded in 1993, the UFC gained the real authority only in the 2010. The growing interest in mixed combating allows the organization to pay dozens of millions of dollars for the best athletes, while the top-earning fighters have the same popularity as the most notable boxers. Interestingly, but a lot of fans are sure that MMA has already overcome boxing in terms of promotion and popularity.
Cyber sports
It may seem a bit weird to see esports in the list of the most popular sports, but this area is facing the fastest changes and becoming a real phenomenon. While the most popular tournaments have already had millions of dollars at stake, the rising tendency is huge. At the wave of becoming an official and governmentally approved direction in both competition and education, one can expect some esports disciplines to be added to the official Olympic Games program.
While the major traditional sports were struggling during the global pandemic and lockdown, cybersports enlarged both professional and audience bases. More and more investors are interested in the area, which looks really promising from diverse perspectives. Interestingly, some esports simulators have already become a part of traditional sports. For instance, NBA 2K game is copying the structure of the National Basketball Association (including even draft picks), while all the NBA participants now hold esports clubs and pay real salary to gamers that protect the same flag in cyberspace.
The most popular sport in the United States
Here we will provide more information regarding the most-watched, as well as the most revenue-generating kinds of sport in the US. Thus, you will easily understand what are the Americans’ preferences in this field.
1. American football (the National Football League)
If you look through the list of highest-paid athletes around the world, you will find there a large number of American football players. American football is certainly the most popular sport among those who live in the United States. People not only enjoy watching the most interesting matches at home – but they also visit stadiums in order to support their favourite teams, as well as athletes.
2. Baseball (Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball)
This sport is also very popular in the United States, where there are two main levels of baseball competition: major and minor leagues. At present, a large number of people living in diverse states of the US following the most fascinating baseball matches with great interest.
3. Basketball (the National Basketball Association)
A lot of Americans enjoy watching exciting competitions that are organized under the NBA. The National Basketball Association has already produced many great stars (LeBron James and Micheal Jordan are just two of them), and no one doubts that in the future, even more famous basketball players will appear. If this kind of sport is also interesting for you, read also the article on how much do NBA referees get paid.
4. Ice Hockey (the National Hockey League)
Within the US, this kind of sport is passionately followed in Michigan, Massachusetts, and Minnesota, and the latter is considered to be the hockey capital of the country. At present, ice hockey is growing in popularity and has been spreading in other states of the country.
5. Soccer (Major League Soccer)
Major League Soccer has certainly come quite a long way during the last ten years. While American football still heads the list of the most popular sports in the US, soccer has been in a continuous battle against such sports as baseball, basketball, and ice hockey.
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