It is quite challenging to estimate the exact number of members. However, it is possible to give a general idea of the most popular sports in the world using data from different clubs.
There are so many games and sports that interest people all over the world. Certain sports are trendy in one region, and little known in other parts of the world. Other sports are a little more popular all over the world, like football, for example.
The number of fans mainly determines the popularity of a sport, the number of people playing the game, stadiums and facilities, organized tournaments, etc. Here is the list of the most popular sports in the world!
1- Football
There’re a few good things which make football a spectator sport. Its popularity is based on the number of followers. Whether in clubs or just for the fun of playing with friends. In the last FIFA world census, it was estimated that 265 million people participate in the sport, including more than 5 million referees, or around 4% of the world’s population.
Football is a contact sport in which two teams of 11 players try to score points by carrying out “touchdown” or “penalties.” It is one of the most violent and physically beneficial sports.
Football is a sport widely practiced by young Japanese people. For the 2018 fashion cup, Japan qualified for the sixth time in a row. Thanks to the skill of the national team, Japan has been four times mushroom of the Asian Nations Cup.
2- Cricket
Most of the contestants in the sport come from Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, England, India, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. Besides, cricket is globally growing its popularity. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recognized that almost 125 countries around the world like and practice the sport.
3- Field hockey
Men and women practice this fast sport in more than 100 countries on five continents around the world. Field hockey is a very technical sport, played by ten players and a goalkeeper. Its rules are quite different from those of ice hockey.
4- Badminton
Some may be surprised to learn that badminton is one of the top 10 sports in the world. Badminton is a famous indoor sport, practiced regularly by approximately 220 million people. It is predominantly prestigious in Asia. Several best players honor the game from the continent.
5- Volleyball
Volleyball is played by more than 998 million people worldwide. Whether indoor or on the beach, volleyball is one of the most physically demanding sports. It requires very intense training. The game sequences can last several minutes without stopping. It’s Indoor, and outdoor versions are played around the world.
6- Basketball
Unsurprisingly, basketball also comes in the top ten most popular sports in the world. With more than 3 billion followers around the Globe. According to FIBA, at least 450 million people practice the game worldwide.
This sport, which will soon be centenary and originally from the United States, has won the hearts of millions of supporters. Thanks in particular to the performances of superstars like Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Kobe Bryant, and the best player of all time Michael Jordan.
7- Tennis
It comes in the most popular sport in the world. About 60 million men and women worldwide play tennis. It is practiced mainly in Europe, on the two American continents, and in Asia, Tennis is a sport with more than a billion players. In singles or doubles, Tennis has grown in popularity over the past 50 years. Thanks to the prowess achieved by legendary athletes like Bjorn Borg and Roger Federer. The double version of Tennis is also very popular around the world. That is why it is on this list of the ten most popular sports.
8- Table tennis
Over the years, this indoor sport has become increasingly popular among youngsters and teenagers. Additionally, it is liked in schools, social clubs, and sports centers around the world. The TopEnd Sports ranking also estimates that 300 million people play table tennis worldwide.
9- Baseball
Baseball is a very popular sport in the United States, Japan, and the Dominican Republic. It is a skill and technique sport with more than 500 million regular viewers.
It is, along with American football, one of the most popular and most profitable sports in the world.
Factually, baseball was the most adored game in America. The World Confederation of Baseball Softball (WBSC) estimates that 65 million people play baseball in more than 140 countries.
10- Golf
Feasibly golf is one of the most common pursuits in the world. According to Golf Today, 60 million folk around the world play the sport regularly. The definition of regular golf in these figures is equivalent to participating in one round of golf per year or using a golf course as a driving range.
For more interesting and informative articles, click here.