The popularity of sports varies by region, but globally, the following are generally considered the top 10 most popular sports based on factors like fan base, viewership, and participation:
- Soccer (football): By far the most popular sport in the world, with an estimated 4 billion fans. Major events include the FIFA World Cup and various domestic leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A.
- Cricket – particularly popular in countries like India, Pakistan, Australia, and England. The sport has an estimated fan base of 2.5 billion people. Major events include the ICC World Cup and Indian Premier League (IPL).
- Basketball – With a fan base of around 2.4 billion, basketball is hugely popular in the U.S., China, and Europe. The NBA is the premier league, while the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Olympics showcase international competition.
- Tennis – Tennis has an estimated fan base of 1 billion people. Major tournaments include Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, the French Open, and the Australian Open.
- Field Hockey – Played by millions across countries like India, the Netherlands, and Germany, field hockey has an estimated global following of 2 billion people. Major events include the FIH Hockey World Cup and the Summer Olympics.
- Volleyball – Popular worldwide, especially in Brazil, Italy, and Russia. With 900 million fans, major events include the FIVB Volleyball World Championship and the Olympic Games.
- Table Tennis – With over 850 million fans, table tennis is especially popular in China and other Asian countries. It is a major sport in the Olympics and has various international tournaments.
- American Football – Mostly popular in the U.S., with a fan base of about 400 million. The NFL is the dominant league, with the Super Bowl being one of the most-watched sporting events worldwide.
- Rugby – Especially popular in countries like New Zealand, South Africa, England, and Australia. Rugby has around 400 million fans, with events like the Rugby World Cup and Six Nations Championship drawing large audiences.
- Golf – With a fan base of over 450 million, golf is popular in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. The Masters, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship are among the sport’s top events.
These rankings may change slightly depending on specific metrics such as social media engagement, attendance at live events, and TV viewership.