People’s interest in sports depends on their preferences. Here we have tried to select the top 10 most popular sports in the world.
However, there are so many sports around the world that it is difficult to estimate exact participation numbers. Yet today the fast pace of the game and its passion for the people have captured the hearts of millions of people. A list of the top 10 most popular sports in the world has been released.
Top 10 Most Popular Sports List :
| Rank | Sports | Estimated Fans | Top players | Regional Popularity |
| 1 | Soccer / Association Football | 3.5 Billion | Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele. | Europe, Africa, Asia, America. |
| 2 | Cricket | 2.5 Billion | Sir Don Bradman (Australia) Sachin Tendulkar (India) Viv Richards | Asia, Australia, UK. Pakistan |
| 3 | Field Hockey | 2 Billion | Dhyan Chand India, Sohail Abbas Pakistan, Paul Litjens | Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia. |
| 4 | Tennis | 1 Billion | Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer,Rafael Nada | Europe, Asia, America. |
| 5 | Volleyball | 900 Million | Mirella Luis , Wilfredo Leon Karch Kiraly | Europe, Australia, Asia, America. |
| 6 | Table Tennis | 850 Million | Ma Long, Zhang Jike, Wang Hao | Europe, Africa, Asia, America. |
| 7 | Baseball | 500 Million | Babe Ruth, Willie Mays | America, Japan. |
| 8 | Golf | 450 Million | Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snea | Europe, Asia, America, Canada. |
| 9 | Basketball | 400 Million | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Tim Duncan | America |
| 10 | American Football | 400 Million | Jerry Rice, Tom Brady, Jim Brown | Europe, Africa, Asia, America, Australia. |
1. Soccer / Association Football
In terms of a number of spectators, the football craze is considered to be the biggest in the whole world. Football fan following is said to be more than 3.5 billion people. It is played and seen in many countries across Europe, Africa, Asia, and America. Due to the immense popularity of this game all over the world, its fan base is more than 270 million. It is at the top number in the list of the top 10 most popular sports in the world.
2. Cricket
Ever since the emergence of fast cricket, its craze has been skyrocketing. Today, after football, if any sport is most popular all over the world, it is cricket. In Asia its craze is different. The number of its fans in cricket-playing countries like India, Australia, Pakistan and England is estimated to be more than 2.5 million.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recognized more than 100 countries participating in cricket. Leagues like IPL have further increased the number of fan following in cricket.
3. Field Hockey
Hockey comes at number three in the Top 10 most popular sports in the world. It has been in existence since the 3rd century BC. Field hockey is widely played in Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia. The number of its fans following is considered to be more than 2 billion. It is also the national game of India, Pakistan, China and Malaysia. However, it is less recognized in some areas. It holds an important place globally in sports like the Olympics.
4. Tennis
Tennis is not behind among the sports that enthrall the spectators. Tennis ranks fourth among popular sports with more than 1 billion fans globally. There was a huge increase in the number of players and viewers in Europe, Asia, and America.
5. Volleyball
In this thrilling game, two teams face each other on a court divided in half by a net. Actually, the objective of both teams is to hit the ball on the net. However, there is much more to volleyball than just hitting the net.
Volleyball comes at number five in the top 10 most popular sports in the world based on an estimated fan following of 900 million people. You do not need such a big ground to play it, it can be played indoors also. It is most popular in Europe, Australia, Asia and America.
6. Table Tennis
If there is anything that makes table tennis most attractive, it is its simple rules and easy-to-learn techniques. You can start playing it whenever you want, regardless of age, although the number of players is only two. Table tennis, a fun and challenging game, can be classified as an indoor game. The number of fans of this popular game played in schools, colleges and sports centers around the world is estimated to be more than 850 million. Table tennis is most popular in Europe, Asia, Africa and America.
7. Baseball
Baseball is at number seven in the list of Top 10 most popular sports in the world. Actually, after football, baseball is the most popular in America. The first league of this sport was formed in 1876 and since then the sport has been growing year by year. The number of baseball fans is more than 500 million. To play baseball, each team can have a maximum of 9 players on the field at a time.
8. Golf
The popularity of golf is due to two reasons, one is that one has to go out into nature to play it. You can enjoy many beautiful views of nature. It also provides an opportunity for exercise. Many professional players are also included in the players who play golf.
Known for its spectacularly precise movements, the game involves hitting the ball long distances across a grass surface to a small target. The number of golf fans in the Top 10 most popular sports in the world is estimated at more than 450 million. Its players are mostly found in Europe, Asia, America and Canada.
9. Basketball
Basketball is a challenging game in which even big players are challenged. This game, which rules the hearts of American sports lovers, has more than 400 million fans. To play basketball you need to have both skill and athleticism. You don’t need that much equipment to play basketball. Its popularity has increased further thanks to legendary players like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
10. American Football
The most popular game in American sports is American football. American football is also known as gridiron in other countries. This game played between two teams of 11 players, is at number ten in the top 10 most popular sports in the world. The number of fans of American football is more than 400 million. It is one of the four major sports in America. America’s National Football League (NFL) is a professional league in which 32 teams play among themselves.
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