- By Aditi Priya Singh
- Sun, 16 Feb 2025 05:34 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Top 10 Most Popular Sports in the World: Sports have the amazing power to bring people together from all over the world, bridging geographical and cultural divides. Sports provide a common language of passion and competition to the busy streets of large cities as well as the peaceful nooks of rural communities. Of all the sports that are practised around the world, some have become more popular than others because of their fascinating history, exciting gameplay and easy accessibility.
Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in the world, with an estimated 3.5 billion fans. With over 2.5 billion fans, cricket comes in second, especially in nations like Australia, Pakistan and India. Other sports that make distinct contributions to the realm of athletics, like tennis, rugby, and hockey, also attract sizable global audiences.
List Of Top 10 Most Popular Sports In The World And Their Fan Following
Here is the list of the top 10 most popular sports, exploring their origins, historical development, and current global appeal.
| Sport | Fan Following | Where It Is Popular? |
| 1. Football (Soccer) | 3.5 Billion | Europe, Africa, Asia, America |
| 2. Cricket | 2.5 Billion | Asia, Australia, UK |
| 3. Field Hockey | 2 Billion | Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia |
| 4. Tennis | 1 Billion | Europe, Asia, America |
| 5. Volleyball | 900 Million | Europe, Australia, Asia, America |
| 6. Table Tennis | 850 Million | Europe, Africa, Asia, America |
| 7. Basketball | 800 Million | America, Oceania, Middle East |
| 8. Baseball | 500 Million | America, Japan |
| 9. Rugby | 475 Million | Oceania, South Africa, England |
| 10. Golf | 450 Million | America, Oceania, Europe |
(Source: World Atlas)
History And Origin Of Top 10 Most Popular Sports In The World
1. Football (Soccer)
Football (Image: Canva)
Football, often known as Soccer, originated in England in the 1800s. It gained followers swiftly and became the most popular sport in the world. Major competitions like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League attract audiences from all around the world. Football is the most watched sport in the world, with professional teams playing in practically every nation.
2. Cricket
Cricket originated in England in the sixteenth century, and by the nineteenth century, it had spread throughout the world. In nations like Pakistan, India, Australia and England, it is quite well-liked. It has become the richest sport in the world due to the ICC Cricket World Cup and T20 leagues like the Indian Premier League and other international series.
3. Field Hockey
Hockey, which began in England in the 1800s, has grown to be a popular sport throughout Europe, Australia and India. India and the Netherlands dominate the top teams in the Hockey World Cup and Olympics. Hockey is also the national sport of India.
4. Tennis
In the 12th century, Tennis originated in France, and in the 19th century, it changed to its current form in England. Major competitions like Wimbledon, the US Open and the French Open attract millions of audiences making it a worldwide sport today.
5. Volleyball
Volleyball (Image: Canva)
Volleyball was invented in the USA in 1895 and is currently played all over the world, particularly in Brazil, Russia and Italy. Top teams compete in the FIVB Volleyball World Championship and Olympic tournaments, making it one of the most popular beach and indoor sports.
6. Table Tennis
The game of table tennis, also known as ping pong, was first played in England in the late 1800s. It became quite well-liked in Europe, South Korea and China. Due to China's dominance in the sport, the Olympics and World Championships draw enormous crowds.
7. Basketball
James Naismith created basketball in the USA in 1891, and it is currently one of the most popular sports in the world. With players like LeBron James and Michael Jordan, the NBA is the most popular league. Countries come together for international tournaments like the FIBA World Cup.
8. Baseball
Baseball (Image: Canva)
America's national pastime is baseball, which was created there in the 19th century. It is very famous in South Korea, Japan and the Caribbean. It is a popular sport all around the world because of the MLB, World Baseball Classic and Olympic tournaments.
9. Rugby
Rugby (Image: Canva)
Rugby was first played in England at the beginning of the 1800s, and it has since become quite popular in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. With teams renowned for their physical prowess and fierce play, the Rugby World Cup is a significant competition.
10. Golf
Golf (Image: Canva)
Originating in Scotland in the fifteenth century, golf has grown to become a prominent international sport. Millions of fans and top players attend major competitions including the Ryder Cup, the PGA Tour and The Masters. Even now, it's one of the highest-paying sports.