According to Statista revenue generated from sports in US will reach around 83.1 Billion $. Check out Top 10 most popular sports in the world
Top 10 most popular sports in the world.
The most popular sport in the world is a hotly debated topic. There are many different opinions on what the most popular sports might be and why they are so popular.
Do you know where soccer ranks ? How about golf or hockey ? These three sports, for example, have fans all over the globe, and there are competitions of all levels for people of all ages to enjoy.
But, which is the most favored ? Here is a breakdown of the most popular, must-watch sports in the world!
1. Football
Association football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Europe, played with a round ball and 11 players per team.
| QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Number of Fans | 4.1 Billion |
| Popularity Region | Worldwide Especially in Europe & Africa |
| Number of Leagues | More than any other sports |
| Prominent Players | Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar |
It is played by over 250 million people in more than 200 countries and dependencies and has more than 4.1 billion followers worldwide.
Some of the most popular sports teams in the world are Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. As a result, football makes waves in the world, particularly during the World Cup, which takes place after four years.
2. Cricket
Cricket ranks second in terms of popularity in the world. The majority of players in this sport come from Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and the UK.
| QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Number of Fans | 2.5 Billion |
| Popularity Region | Asia, South Africa, Australia |
| Number of Leagues | 10+ (Series Based) |
| Prominent Players | Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, AB de Villiers |
| Mega Events | ICC World Cup, ICC T20 world cup, Champions Trophy |
The International Cricket Council (ICC) identified that an impressive count of 125 countries plays the sport across the world. Cricket has around 2.5 billion fans across the world.
Unlike football, cricket is played mostly in series. But during the last decade, some modifications are applied and some popular cricket leagues are introduced that have increased their popularity.
3. Basketball
Basketball is the 2nd most popular sport in the world with more than 2.4 billion fans in the world.
| QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Number of Fans | 2.4 Billion |
| Popularity Region | USA, Canada, Europe & Africa |
| Number of Leagues | More than 100 Around the world |
| Prominent Players | LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Dwyane Wade |
| Mega Events | FIBA World Cup, NBA Finals, Olympic Games |
As fan following is the most powerful aspect in the ranking of popular sports, basketball has recently beaten cricket for 2nd position.
Basketball is more popular in the USA, Canada, Europe, and many other countries in the world. The game has more than 100 leagues in the world.
Basketball has some of the richest athletes in the world. It means this popular sport is paying very high.
4. Tennis
Tennis is the fourth most popular sport in the world with more than 1.5 billion fans.
| QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Number of Fans | 1.5 Billion |
| Popularity Region | Europe, America, Asia |
| Number of Leagues | More than 50 |
| Prominent Players | Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams |
| Mega Events | Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon |
There are more than 50 professional tennis leagues around the world with a number of mega-events. This is a different type of sport with a single or two team members.
Mega-events and big rivalries matches have more than 1.5 billion fans.
5. Boxing
Boxing is the fifth most popular sport in the world with more than 900 million fans around the world.
| QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Number of Fans | 900 Million |
| Popularity Region | USA, Mexico, Japan |
| Number of Leagues | More than 50 |
| Prominent Players | Floyd Mayweather, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson |
| Mega Events | Boxing at the Olympics Games, World Boxing Championships |
Another popular and powerful factor about boxing that made it popular, is the individual wealth and net worth of players.
Some boxers are listed among the richest athletes in the world.
People worldwide, especially in the USA, Mexico, and Japan like and watch boxing.
6. Volleyball
Volleyball is the 6th most popular sport in the world right now with almost 800 million fans.
| QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Number of Fans | 800 Million |
| Popularity Region | Brazil, China, Russia |
| Number of Leagues | More than 50 |
| Prominent Players | Kerri Walsh Jennings, Giba, Ivan Zaytsev |
| Mega Events | Olympic Games, World Championships, World Cup |
Volleyball became more popular during the last decade due to the Olympic Games. It jumped up into the most popular sports in the world because a huge increase was noticed in its followers around the world.
Volleyball is one of the most-watched events in the Olympic games and its world cup is also one of the most popular sports events in the world. Some famous volleyball players are followed all over the world.
7. Rugby
Rugby is the 7th most popular sport in the world with 500 million fans around the world.
| QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Number of Fans | 500 Million |
| Popularity Region | USA, England, France |
| Number of Leagues | More than 20 |
| Prominent Players | David Pocock, Jonah Lomu, Dan Carter |
| Mega Events | Olympic Games, World Cup |
Rugby is one of the older sports in the world that is still played with some modifications. Olympic Games have boosted Rugby’s fan following up to 500 million.
Rugby has more than 20 leagues around the world but the Olympic games and world cup made it one of the most popular sports in the world.
8. Ice hockey
Ice hockey is the 8th most popular sport in the world right now.
| QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Number of Fans | 500 Million |
| Popularity Region | Canada, United States, Russia |
| Number of Leagues | More than 30 |
| Prominent Players | Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Steve Yzerman |
| Mega Events | Winter Olympics, Stanley Cup, World Cup |
It has around 500 million fans that making it one of the most followed and most-watched sports around the globe.
It is a contact team sport that is played on ice. Ice hockey is one of the most entertaining sports in the world.
This form of hockey is more popular in Canada, America, and Russia. That is why Ice hockey is one of the most popular American sports of the time.
9. Baseball
Baseball is the 9th most popular sport in the world with more than 480 million fans.
| QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Number of Fans | 480 Million |
| Popularity Region | United States, Mexico, Cuba |
| Number of Leagues | 10 Plus |
| Prominent Players | Bryce Harper, Carlos Correa, Andrew McCutchen |
| Mega Events | World Series, World Baseball Classic |
The sport is more popular and played in the United States, Mexico, and Cuba.
It is also played in many other countries of the world. Baseball is also a bat and ball sport like cricket but its rules are far different from cricket.
10. Golf
Golf is the 10th most popular sport in the world with more than 450 million fans around the world.
| QUICK FACTS | |
|---|---|
| Number of Fans | 450 Million |
| Popularity Region | United States, Italy, NewZealand |
| Number of Leagues | More than 10 |
| Prominent Players | Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson |
Golf is more popular in the United States and New Zealand. It has some of the richest athletes in the world like Tiger Woods.
Here is a quick recap of what we have discussed above. The most popular sports in the world are:
- Football/Soccer – 4.1 billion fans
- Basketball – 2.7 billion fans
- Cricket – 2.6 billion fans
- Tennis – 1.5 billion fans
- Boxing – 900 million fans
- Volleyball – 800 million fans
- Rugby – 500 million fans
- Ice Hockey – 500 million fans
- Baseball – 480 million fans
- Golf – 450 million fans