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It is important to consider many different criteria when ranking the most popular sports in the world and distinguishing them from fad sports. However, one of the most important factors is the viewership numbers. While there are some sports that are not as popular in terms of viewership, they do enjoy bigger sponsorship deals. Other factors used in ranking the most popular sports include:
- The number of professional leagues involved worldwide
- The total volume of TV rights and deals
- Endorsements and sponsorships
- The average salaries of the athletes involved
- The competitiveness of the sports
- The regional dominance of the sports
- Accessibility of the sports to the public
- Social media presence
With these factors in mind, check out below for the list of the top 10 most popular sports in the world.
#10: The People’s Game-Golf
Golf was first played in Scotland. From there it spread to several parts of the United Kingdom, North America, and eventually the rest of the world.[1]ThoughtCo. – When and Where Did Golf Begin? However, gone are the days when golf is known as the sport for only the rich. Today, there are more than 450 million regular golf lovers all around the world. However, a majority of the sports fans are in Western Europe, North America and Asia compared to the rest of the world. There are more than 50 different major golf tournaments all around the world. In addition, it is one of the best-funded sports. Countless numbers of deals and endorsements go to the top golfers.
#9: A Game for the Tough-Rugby
Rugby is one of the most physical games in the world. In addition, it is also one of the most competitive and most popular sports in the world. There are currently more than 475 million fans worldwide for all the different national and club rugby teams. The sport’s primary founding influences came from the United Kingdom. Its foundation was laid in the medieval England. From the United Kingdom, the popularity of sports spread to British-colonized countries such as New Zealand and Australia. The game is comprised of 15 players who can carry, pass and kick the ball in order to score points. A point is counted when they reach the line on the opponent’s half of the field.[2]The World Games – RUGBY SEVENS: CONTINUED GROWTH
#8: The American Past Time-Baseball
Despite the fact that baseball is most popular in North America, Japan and the Caribbean, it remains one of the most popular sports in the world. It has more than 500 million fans all over the world. This bat and ball sport can be complex for the novice to understand. The sport involves two opposing teams, each with 9 players. In order to accumulate points, each team must participate in both batting and fielding.
In the 19th century, before it gained popularity in the United States, people all around the country played different versions of the game. However, the game evolved into one unified version that is now played worldwide. While, baseball may be one of the most popular sports in the world, it has also remained one of the most controversial in history. This is especially true with regards to racism and politics.[3]New York Post – ‘Racism is as American as baseball’ sign hangs at Fenway
#7: From Humble Beginnings-Basketball
Basketball has come a long way from its humble beginnings. It has grown from being only a popular sport in the United States to one of the most popular sports in the world. There are more than 825 million fans of basketball worldwide.
In 1891, in Massachusetts, Dr. James Naismith invented the game of basketball. James Naismith created basketball as an alternative to football. His intention was to create a sport that could be played indoors and have fewer risks of accidents. The game of basketball is played by two teams of 5 players each. The aim is to shoot the ball into a 10 foot tall hoop more than the other team. Basketball became famous because of the legendary sports stars, such as Lebron James, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, that came from it. They elevated the sport to new levels and help make it one of the most popular sports in the world.[4]Encyclopedia Britannica – The 10 Greatest Basketball Players of All Time
#6: Started in the Lawn-Table Tennis
It is quite hard not to find a town without a table tennis center. One of the most interesting facts about table tennis is that there is an estimated fan base of 875 million people all around the world making it definitely one of the most popular sports in the world. The history of the sport started in England. It was originally conceived as a small version of lawn tennis. Only later did it get referred to as “Ping Pong”.[5]Athnet – The History of Ping-Pong However, they are not exactly the same as the rule set for both games are different. Furthermore, table tennis is the official name for the professional sport.
Table tennis is usually played by two to four opposing players on each side of the table with a net separating each half of the table. Some of the top countries where table tennis is the most popular include; Sweden, China, and South Korea.
#5: Borrowing Its Rules from Others-Volleyball
Volleyball’s popularity is greatest in North America and Western Europe. However, it is possible to find the sport in most countries of the world. Volleyball is quite popular among women. Furthermore, it is an especially popular beach game.
Presently, the game of volleyball has more than 900 million fans around the world. In 1895, in the US, William Morgan, invented the sport.[6]Volleyball – History Of Volleyball It was a game developed for the Young Men Christian Association where William Morgan was an instructor. Volleyball borrowed most of its components from other sports such as tennis, baseball, and basketball. Volleyball has evolved over the years. Today, the came consists of 2 teams 6 players each.
#4: The French Give Us Tennis
Tennis has grown to become one of the most popular sports in the world. This is especially true in the last 2 decades where it has become one of the most watched sports. Currently, tennis has a global audience of about 1 billion people. In the earlier parts of the sport’s history, different versions of tennis were played by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.[7]Athnet – Was This How Tennis was Introduced? However, the modern version came from France. From there its popularity grew to other parts of Europe and eventually the world. Tennis consists of two opposing players or a team of two players on opposing ends. Great players such as Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Andy Murray have helped increase the sports popularity worldwide.
#3: An English Sport-Field Hockey
Field Hockey is most popular in North America, Europe, Asia and some parts of Africa. It is one of the most popular sports in the world with more than 2 billion people following the game. People played the first field hockey game in England around 1800s.[8]Athnet – History of Field Hockey Field hockey share many similarities with soccer except for the use of sticks to drive the ball instead of the feet.
Currently, Field Hockey is more popular in countries like Australia, Canada, Pakistan, and India. In fact, teams from these countries usually win most of the trophies at standard field hockey competitions.
#2: A British Game-Cricket
Many people find it surprising that the game of cricket is perhaps the second most popular sport in the world. This is because most people don’t even understand the rules of the game. Cricket currently has more than 2.5 billion followers all around the world. In other words, 1 out of every 4 people in the world follows cricket. Cricket’s popularity is primarily in the United Kingdom as well as the Commonwealth nations. Like many other sports in history, cricket originated in England in the 16th century. England later made it a national sport in the 18th century.[9]The Telegraph – A very brief history of cricket
Cricket consists of two opposing teams, each consisting of 11 players. Each team attempts to score the most runs in order to win the game. Before the 21st century, cricket used to be popular mainly in British colonies such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Today, cricket is also popular in countries like South Africa and Canada.
#1: The World’s Sport-Football (soccer)
Football is by far tops the list of the most popular sports in the world. The World Cup best illustrates this fact. Even those who do not follow football religiously will support their countries during the world cup. Currently, there is no country in the world where you can’t find football clubs. Even the war-ravaged countries like Palestine and Syria do have football clubs at different levels.
There are more than 4 billion football fans all over the world. This comprises more than half of the world population supporting a football club.[10]Nielsen Sports – Global Interest In Football The medieval style of football began in China in the second century. The Greeks, Romans, and Japanese adopted the style many years later. However, the English invented the modern contemporary version of football. In modern times, England still leads the way with the most popular football clubs worldwide.
Football is the most popular in Europe and South America. You can see this best in the strength of the national and club teams from countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Spain, France and England.
Aside from massive following, football also enjoy the biggest sponsorship deals and endorsements in the world. Top footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are some of the richest sportsmen in the world because of their numerous personal endorsements and weekly wages. Due to the amount of money, there is a lot of controversy in the sport. Additionally, unlike some other sports on this list, football is equally popular for women as for men. In fact, almost every country in the world has both men’s and women’s football leagues. In addition, because it is so many people watch it, it is a popular place to go streaking.
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