What is the most supported sports in the world?

in technology •  7 years ago 

There are a lot of different sporting disciplines and more importantly a lot of sporting fans around the world. But what is the most supported sports in the world?


Image Credit

Today we have another fun post about sporting stats in the world. It will be difficult to answer if we asked what is the most popular sport in the world, as we always need to measure popularity against something. For example: If we ask what the most popular sport is, it can be measured against most watched, most played or even against which sport has the most passionate fan base.

We have looked at various sources on the internet, and although we cannot find formal numbers, most of the websites around the globe have similar stats. We will always have our own opinions.

Let the countdown begin

We have a tie in 10th place, so let's give both these sports the 9th place

9 . American Football


Image Source

400 Million Supporters from Europe, Africa, Asia, America, Australia

9 . Basketball


Image Source

400 Million Supporters from Asia, America

8. Golf


Image Source
450 Million Supporters from Europe, Asia, America, Africa, Canada.

7. Baseball


Image Source
500 Million America, Japan

6. Table Tennis


Image Source
850 Million Europe, Africa, Asia, America.

5. Volleyball


Image Source
900 Million Europe, Australia, Asia, America.

4. Tennis


Image Source

1 Billion Europe, Asia, America.

3. Field Hockey

I must mention that I was suprised to find Field hockey at number 3.


Image Source

2 Billion Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia.

2. Cricket


Image Source

2.5 Billion Asia, Australia, UK.

Drum roll for Number 1 which I do not think will come as a surprise ...

1. Soccer (Football in Britain)


Image Source

3.5 Billion Europe, Africa, Asia, America.

Soccer came in as the clearly most supported sport in the world with nearly double the amount of supporters than number 2.

Please share this post far and wide and follow us @sportspodium for more information.


If you missed our earlier blog posts, please see the links below:

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE STEEM!
Sort Order:  

I'm tennis fan and also I'm tennis coach so I love this sport.

So you must be a keen follower of Wimbledon then? Thanks for the comment @stephan92

I played tennis since high school, and I was a huge Stefan Edberg fan back in the late 80's, but I completely stopped following tennis (and stopped playing) after he retired. Then this guy from Switzerland showed up and I started watching again when he made it look like he was the only 5.0 player in a 4.0 tennis club for a few years. This was 15 years ago. Then the sport got even more interesting when this guy from Spain started challenging him. I honestly believe that Federer and Nadal were responsible for bringing the sport and if it weren't for them, tennis would not be as popular today, so this year has been a blessing for me (and I'm sure for thousands more tennis fans) that these two are back on the top of their game. And Federer's victory this past Sunday just made it into my Top 3 most memorable Grand Slam finals (the 2009 Wimbledon Final is on the top of my list and the 2009 French Open final takes second place). If only we could see Federer vs. Nadal in the US Open, that would be the cherry on top of this already great year in tennis, as those two have never met at the US Open! But even before then, my favorite season has arrived: the North American Summer Swing!

I love that table tennis is in there!! lol
I wish sports that require more work, and grind would be on the top

  • Wrestling
  • Hockey
  • Boxing

Well HOLY Cow, how in the world has HOCKEY, I mean the ice cold HOCKEY. 1.64 million people in the world play organized hockey. 80% of Canada, with a population of 34,568,211. Ice Hockey is an Olympic event. Come on what about Lord Stanley cup? NHL, and OMG the Montreal Canadians.
hockey 2.jpg

I was quite surprised that Ice hockey does not feature in the top 10. And also Rugby Union does not feature. Thanks for the comment, you seem to be a avid supporter of Ice Hockey.

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Why are you so surprised about hockey? I mean I like hockey too but just because it is popular in Canada it doesn't mean its supposed to be popular worldwide. To be honest other than Canada, Russia, some Scandinavian and parts of the US no one really cares about hockey. I could also see soccer and basketball put a dent in hockey's popularity in Canada in the future

It's just too expensive to play which makes it out of reach for poorer nations.

You make a very valid point. Thanks

Although sports are very important for our health, I think that investing more into science and research could make our life a lot better rather than sitting on our armchairs and cheering in front of the TVs like monkeys. Honestly, the tickets and all the media propaganda drives billions to their accounts without helping the society in any way. But that's just my opinion. I'm sure some people will get offended but this is the truth.

Thank you for the comment @dragos0897. Like you say we all have different opinions. For me the best Sports Quote ever :

Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else can. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair.” (Nelson Mandela, Laureus World Sports Awards)

I am soccer die hard fan!

Thanks for the comment @onuhkris

Well, it wasn't surprising that football is in the first place. Most people started to get engaged in that sport from a young age, and I think I was about six during my first game. Well, now I don't really play, but I do like watching live matches, and sometimes I even bet on https://takebet.co.tz/ just to increase the adrenaline level and have more fun.

Yeah, it football all the way but believed basketball should be placed second

Did you include the women's foolball fan-base too?

I do believe the stats include women supporters

Great source of information shared.

Thank you @sakshibansal

But the sport with the most participants in the world is fishing. Cheers

I have heard that it is bowls, but I agree, that it might be. I am a keen fisherman myself, but will do some research and maybe do a post on it. Thanks for the comment @silverbug

It didn't surprise me that football (often called soccer) us the most popular sport on this globe. It's very fun and you only need a ball to get started really. It's my favorite sport.

Yes, it doesn't matter where on the globe you go, you will find football supporters and a game on somewhere in a pub :) Thanks for the comment.

I love soccer! Little surprised golf is before american football though lol. Great content. Keep up the good work!

Thank you @themessup , I was surprised about the Field Hockey myself. Thanks for the comment.

Well Soccer is indeed on number one and undoubtedly my favorite. I also have a team with which I play soccer every saturday morning. It's the best game for physical health also. Cricket is also interesting but it requires lot of equipment and accessories to play with.

It is great that you participate @cryptonet. I believe everybody should participate in sport, it doesn't matter how old you are. I know a few over 70's that still play either bowls or golf. Thanks for a great comment.

By the way, as you participate in soccer, you will soon have another way of earning Crypto Tokens, as we are starting a new Blockchain aimed at the Sports World. You will earn Crypto Tokens, just by doing what you do every day, and then adding some information into our Blockchain which is rewarded by Crypto Tokens. Please follow us. There are some big annnouncements on the way this week.

It seems to me that football is generally the most popular sport that is well supported and sponsored. By the way, I bet on sports, and usually it's football. If you want to try your hand at betting and are looking for a reliable resource, then I recommend https://takebet.com/betting-tips/football. This is a really great and informative site with tips and predictions.

There's a huge difference between supporting a sport and playing it. With more sports streaming than ever available, how many of us actually go out and watch sport, let alone participate.
Personally, I love football (I'm English) to watch, but cycling is my sport of choice.
Tour de France is on so I'm in heaven and I cycle more than playing any other sport.
Cyclists are the fittest athletes. They have to be. 3 weeks and over 4000kms (for TdF) is inspirational. Endurance and fitness.
For complete fitness then swimming is both cardio-vascular and full body, but boring to watch.
In Australia (well Victoria), footie is huge (AFL) and attracts huge attendances, but is unique to the region.
What sports do you watch AND play?

Hi @n4design. Thank you for a great comment. I am such a big sports fan, I will watch any sport. My favorite is Rugby Union, Cricket and Soccer. But like I said, I will watch any sport even Darts and Bowls ;)

Soccer for sure

Nice post though

Thank you for the comment @kelvinluke

In the country where I come from, Street soccer can be played with almost anything. I remember when we played street soccer with milk tin, most of us left with various degrees of bruises, yet we were all happy to have played soccer. Soccer rocks!!!.
Followed ya

This is great to hear @samminator, I have been involved in many street battles in various sports :). Cricket, Soccer and even Touch Rugby :)

I guess we're even then

Hay @sportspodium Nice Post Voted & Followed
I always follow your journey whether it is Travel or Other !!
I Wish You Would Also Follow and Upvote My Post @funnystuff
Really I Liked What You Do Every Day
And Always Join - Upvote - Comment and Reesteem
I wish the same
Thank You Sweet

Thank you

Yeah, it had to be soccer. Soccer generates lots of cash and followed by multitudes world wide. Thank you for sharing

Thanks you for the comment @practicaleric

Good

👍

Thank you for the comment.

Nice post

Thank you

i love soccer a lot more than other sport. no wonder it is number 1. lol.
thanks for sharing @sportspodium

Volleyball comes first for me

masturbation hahaha that's n1
nice topic

good

Well done post thanks for sharing

Soccer doesn't surprise me, but cricket, table tennis, and field hockey did surprise me. Maybe it's just because they aren't so popular here in the states. I'm also surprised rugby didn't make the list but American Football did.

Soccer game all the way

the football

Yes, soccer, I agree. But others I was amazed and still sceptical to believe. Thanks for the statistic

HI! nice post

I'm somewhat a fan of soccer. I like to watch cup tourneys mostly. Every once in a blue moon I will turn on MLS. It's definitely not the most exciting spectator sport, but it beats golf lol. I think the only reason soccer is #1 is because it is a cheap sport to play and every the poorest of nations can afford a national team. I think it is great because this makes it very inclusive.

Very surprised by the results. Soccer was the only one I knew reigned supreme.

I love UFC but it's soccer, there is no question about it.

UFC is indeed great to follow. Thanks for the comment @rawpride

Makes me kind of sad basketball is only at number 9! But hey I get it, basketball really is only big here in the states. Soccer on the other hand which is huge around the world is small time compared to basketball here.

Glad football is no 1. Surprised boxing isn't there! I've always loved tennis particularly watching it during what I would call the golden age of the late 70's and early 80's. I only really watch the Ashes when it comes to the cricket, I love the England/Aussie rivalry and sledging! Only recently caught the American football bug and really enjoy that (go pack go)!

I hope one day Ultimate Frisbee will be on your list too :)

I think is very difficult to establish a top of the most supported sports in the world, but you are taking a good point to establish this comparative.

In my opinion,the top 5 sports in the world are soccer, basketball, tennis, golf and F1.

Epl yes!

I'm not even surprised that soccer is #1, it's one of the most popular kinds of sports, and many people worldwide watch matches and place bets on platforms like https://melbet.org to support their favorite teams. In general, soccer actually has a great fan base, and it's pretty impressive to see so many like-minded people.

  ·  7 years ago Reveal Comment