Top 11 most popular sports in the world with maximum fan following

Do you know the most popular sports in the world? Sports are played all over the world as a hobby, career, or for the fitness. There are dozens of sports that are played at different levels in each nation. However, what’s popular in one country is not necessary to be popular in another.

There are multiple factors that decide the popularity of a sport some are:

  • TV viewership of games
  • Ticket sales for live games
  • Overall revenue of the main leagues

Here are the top 11 most popular sports in the world:

11. Formula 1

Formula 1- Most Popular Sports

Formula One is the highest class of single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and owned by the Formula One Group. It has an estimated following over 350 million fans. Formula 1 racers can reach speed as high as up to 370 kph so it’s unlikely they can point back to Greece (ancient) as the starting point to their sport. Either way, starting with the first Grand Prix in 1906 more than a century before, Formula 1 has grown in popularity and has become an international sport. Formula 1 ranks 11th in our list of most popular sports in the world.

10. Golf: Most Popular Sports

Golf- Most Popular Sports

This game has an approximate following of 450 million fans worldwide. Its a major sport in the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, South Korea, South Africa. It was first played in Scotland then spread in England and then to rest of the world. It is considered one of the most expensive game because golf courses require exorbitant membership. Golf ranks 10th in our list of most popular sports in the world.

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9. Rugby: Most Popular Sports

Rugby

It’s the biggest sports in the United Kingdom, and Commonwealth nations. It’s not a surprise that this game has more than 470 million followers in the world. Today, rugby is known as a highly-aggressive, high-contact game that requires players wearing rugby-specific safety equipment. The foundation of modern-day sport was laid out in medieval England but it has evolved immensely since then and spread across the world. Rugby ranks 9th in our list of most popular sports in the world.

8. Baseball

Baseball- Most Popular Sports

Baseball has over 500 million fans from around the world. This game is immensely popular in the US, Caribbean, Japan. Baseball is a bat and ball game played between two opposing teams who take turns batting and fielding to earn points. Different variations of the sports were played in the US before it gained popularity worldwide in the 19th century. Baseball ranks 8th in our list of most popular sports in the world.

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7. Basketball: Most Popular Sports

Basketball

Basketball has an estimated 825 million fans and followers in the world. The sport was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 in Massachusetts, United States. He created it as an alternative to football since the sport could be played indoors and had less potential to cause accidents. In a basketball match, there are ten players, each side five, their primary goal is to shoot the basketball in defender’s hoop. Basketball ranks 7th in our list of most popular sports in the world.

6. Table Tennis

Table Tennis- Most Popular Sports

Table tennis is also known as ping pong and started in the 19th century in England. The game has estimated followers of 875 million fans. It is a miniature model of lawn tennis. In this sport, there are two or four players who hit a lightweight ball over a net on a hard table, by use of rackets. The top competitors in this sport are South Korea, Malaysia, China, and Sweden. Table tennis ranks 6th in our list of most popular sports in the world.

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5. Volleyball: Most Popular Sports

Volleyball- Most Popular Sports

The sport invented in Massachusetts, US by William G. Morgan in 1895. The game took some of its characteristics from tennis and handball. The sport has a global estimated following of around 900 million fans. In volleyball, there are two teams of six players each which try grounding the ball in other team’s courts. Volleyball ranks 5rd in our list of most popular sports in the world.

Since the beach version of volleyball came into existence, it has become a beach favourite in every country.

4. Tennis: Most Popular Sports

Tennis

Probably one of the most universal sport the game has gained over more than 1 billion fans. The modern Tennis was first popularized in France. Then From France, it spread to the other parts of Europe and eventually to the whole world. In tennis, there are two teams either one or two players each and involves bouncing of the ball over the rackets. Points earned when the opponent doesn’t hit or does not throw back the ball in the predetermined dimensions of the rectangular court. Tennis ranks 4th in our list of most popular sports in the world.

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3. Field Hockey

Field Hockey- Most Popular Sports

Third place in the most popular sports in the world list is Field Hockey, ranking in with a massive 2 billion fans. Hockey originated in England during the 1800s and gained popularity since then. The game is mostly similar to football except that the players use sticks to drive the ball instead of feet to the goal. Traditionally Hockey played in India, Australia, Japan, and Pakistan, whose teams are formidable on the in the sport. Hockey ranks 3rd in our list of most popular sports in the world.

2. Cricket: Most Popular Sports

Cricket

It’s the biggest sport in India and Commonwealth nations. Cricket has amassed a dedicated following and become one of the most popular sports in the world with an estimated following of 2.3 billion fans. The cricket played by two teams of eleven players where they attempt to score the most runs. Cricket started in the 16th century and become popular in British colonies of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Every four years, the International Cricket Council held the Cricket world cup. Although there are many tournaments annually, ICC Cricket World Cup is by far the biggest event in the sport. Virat Kohli is the highest-paid cricketer in the world, according to Forbes’ ‘highest-paid athletes 2018’ list. Cricket ranks second in our list of most popular sports in the world.

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1. Soccer/ Association football

Soccer- Most Popular Sports

Soccer or Association football is the most popular sports event in the world. Half of the world’s population consider themselves to be soccer fans. Fifa world cup final watched by around 600 million people and Champions league by 300 million.

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The fan following of this sport exceeds more than 4 billion fans. The sport is more popular in Europe and America than in any other continent. The game consists of two teams with 11 players and two goals. The objective of the game is to drive the ball into the goal defended by the opponent. The team that scores maximum goals end up winning. 250 million players in over 200 countries play this game. And this is making it the world’s most popular sport. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are among the top 10 highest-paid athletes in the world. Football ranks 1st in our list of most popular sports in the world.