What is the most popular sport in the world?

[freestown7]

What is the most popular sport in the world?

 

[Floridaman999]

Football (aka Soccer)

 

[moon]

Soccer, by far

 

[mini22]

soccer

 

[kdonnel]

The more important question is what is the most profitable sport in the world for the average player?

 

[mousefan73]

The more important question is what is the most profitable sport in the world for the average player?

I would say F1 or fighting.

 

[mousefan73]

I would say F1 or fighting.

Soccer too. But believe those figures include tge club’s share.

 

[sam_gordon]

Disboards <> Google.

 

[wilbret]

Soccer can be played on any open field, without any equipment. A ball can be pretty much anything.
I think that has more to do with its popularity than anything. Other sports tend to require equipment that isn't feasible in many parts of the world (football, baseball, basketball, etc)

My wife played soccer in college (and adult leagues after that), and our kids all play it as youth. I honestly cannot get into the sport...at...all. I am not entertained by it. But, to each their own!

 

[Kitty 34]

In my age bracket.....Pickle Ball

 

[low-key]

Soccer

 

[Meriweather]

soccer

 

[sam_gordon]

Soccer can be played on any open field, without any equipment. A ball can be pretty much anything.
I think that has more to do with its popularity than anything. Other sports tend to require equipment that isn't feasible in many parts of the world (football, baseball, basketball, etc)

Actually for (American) football, all you need is some kind of object that you can throw, catch, and run with. You don't need goal posts.
For baseball, all you need is a stick, a small round object to use as a ball, and something to use as bases, can be frisbees, pieces of clothes, pieces of cardboard, etc.

 

[galaxygirl76]

Soccer and it's not even close. Look at the rating the men's World cup gets.

 

[Klayfish]

In the world, it's soccer without question. In the US, soccer is quite far down the list (I'm not a fan at all, so no complaints from me). Here, football is king, followed by basketball...which I'd argue has taken over the 2nd place spot from baseball.

 

[tvguy]

World wide, soccer no question. My daughter played and I still don't get all the rules.
Locally with youth sports baseball and soccer are the big users of public facilities. High School football to the amazement of a lot of people new to the area isn't a big deal. Basketball, for youth, probably fourth. We have an NBA team that really hasn't done anything in 35 years here, but for decades drew sell out crowds. But they are on their third stadium in 35 years, including a new arena that the city kicked in $223 million for, and now one of their stars says he'll rather play for anyone else in the NBA now that his contract is up. https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article231871293.html

 

[mjkacmom]

In the world, it's soccer without question. In the US, soccer is quite far down the list (I'm not a fan at all, so no complaints from me). Here, football is king, followed by basketball...which I'd argue has taken over the 2nd place spot from baseball.

Soccer is #5, after football, baseball, basketball and hockey.

 

[wilbret]

Actually for (American) football, all you need is some kind of object that you can throw, catch, and run with. You don't need goal posts.
For baseball, all you need is a stick, a small round object to use as a ball, and something to use as bases, can be frisbees, pieces of clothes, pieces of cardboard, etc.

Helmet, pads, etc. These are very expensive, and football teams have a ton of people, compared to other sports.

 

[Meriweather]

Here is a Table of Top 10 Popular Sports

rank	Sport	Estimated Fans	Regional Popularity
1.	Soccer / Association Football	3.5 Billion	Europe, Africa, Asia, America
2.	Cricket	2.5 Billion	Asia, Australia, UK
3.	Basketball	2.2 Billion	US, Canada, China, and the Philippines
4.	Field Hockey	2 Billion	Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia
5.	Tennis	1 Billion	Europe, Americas, and Asia
6.	Volleyball	900 Million	Asia, Europe, Americas, and Australia
7.	Table Tennis	850 Million	Asia, Europe, Africa and Americas
8.	Baseball	500 Million	US, Japan, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic
9	American Football Rugby	410 Million 410 Million	USA mainly France, England, New Zealand, South Africa
10	Golf	390 Million	Europe, Asia, America, Canada

https://sportsshow.net/top-10-most-popular-sports-in-the-world

 

[kdonnel]

These two sites don’t agree but are close.

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-most-popular-sports-in-the-world.html
https://sportsshow.net/top-10-most-popular-sports-in-the-world/amp/
I didn’t expect to see field hockey so high on the list.