The Most Popular Sports In The World

Whether playing basketball at school or cricket with your colleagues, sports are synonymous throughout life. No matter where you live in the world, there is sure to be some sport that you or the people around you follow. For example, the United States is known for American Football, with the famed Superbowl, while India is one of the most prominent supporters of Cricket with its Indian Premier League.

Major sports are some of the most popular activities in the world because so many people, groups, and organizations are involved in them. But which sports are the most famous? Is it football with its fast-paced action, golf with its precise skill, or table tennis with its easy-to-play vibe? This breakdown delves into the most popular sports based on their number of fans.

Most Popular Sports Ranked By Total Fans

Football (Soccer) - 3.5 Billion

Football (Soccer in the United States) is by far the world’s most popular sport, with 3.5 billion fans as of 2025. As the name suggests, football is a team sport wherein people use their feet to kick a ball, with the aim of getting the ball into the opposing net. Each team tends to have between 11 and 18 players, although other variants exist, such as five-a-side with just five people per team. Thus, the competitive spirit and fast pace create an environment that people adore. Moreover, with large stadiums and plenty of people both in and watching the game, it is a great sport for communities to enjoy.

However, the sport isn’t an overnight success and is also one of the oldest on this list. Similar activities originated around 3000 BC, with early forms like cuju in China resembling the modern sport. Ball games using feet continued throughout the years, with references to Ancient Greece, Rome, and Central Asia. By medieval times in England, a basic set of rules had been formed, and the sport began to rise in popularity to what it is today. The most prominent reason for the rise of football is its ease of play, as you only need a ball and can play with friends anywhere.

Football’s prominent fame is also why it has some of the largest sporting events in the world. The FIFA World Cup is probably the apex event, taking place every four years with dozens of teams from across the globe. Since 1930, the event has been held 22 times, with an astonishing viewership of five billion in 2022, out of which 1.5 billion is from the final match alone! Apart from the World Cup, there are also the UEFA European Championship, Copa America, and the CONCACAF Gold Cup, among many other events held worldwide. From its basic requirements to its rich history, there is no doubt that football is one of the most watched and played sports in the world.

Cricket - 2.5 Billion

Quite different from football, cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players. The game revolves around batting and bowling, where one team tries to score runs while the other aims to get them out. A match consists of "overs," each made up of six deliveries (balls). The batting team scores runs by hitting the ball and running between wickets, while the fielding team tries to limit runs and dismiss the batters. Despite its slower pace, the suspense behind each hit creates an atmosphere second to none. This blend of skill and excitement has made it one of the most popular sports in countries like India, Pakistan, Australia, and New Zealand, with 2.5 billion fans across the globe.

While it started in Medieval England as a game for kids and then a gambling sport for the upper class, it is played by all sorts of people today. From kids playing during recess in India to major tournaments across the globe, it is loved by all. At a professional level, cricket has many events, such as the ICC World Cup, ICC T20 World Cup, and Asia Cup. The ICC World Cup is the most prominent event, and it is held every four years, with nations such as Australia and India participating. The most recent final between these two countries in 2023 got over 87.6 billion live viewing minutes, a testament to the sport's popularity.

Cricket currently has three main formats, primarily divided by length. The oldest and longest are test matches, which can last for multiple days with two innings per team. Meanwhile, the One-Day International (ODI) is a bit shorter, with each team playing 50 overs over a whole day. The shortest and most fast-paced are Twenty20 Internationals, wherein there are twenty overs per side.

Hockey - 2 Billion

Hockey is a diverse and competitive team sport with roughly two billion fans. The basic premise behind the sport involved two teams of 11 players: 10 field players and a goalie. Teams use a hockey stick to hit around a ball/puck into the opposing team’s goal, scoring a point. The most popular form of the sport is field hockey, which is considered the standard variant and is played on turf, grass, or boards. Ice hockey is another variation in which players wear ice skates on their feet and play on an ice skating rink. This form also uses a rubberized hockey puck and is most prevalent in Canada. Apart from these, there is also roller hockey, rink hockey, and cosom hockey, most of which involve roller skates.

Along with variants, Hockey also has a rich past that spans over 4,000 years. The concept of curved sticks and balls has been around since ancient Egypt, with carvings depicting similar games. Other civilizations like Ancient Greece and Mongolia also had similar games, gradually defining the sport. Today, hockey has two billion fans across the globe, and plenty of competitions take place year-round. The World Cup, Olympic Games, and Pro League are just a few of the top events involving the sport.

Tennis - 1 Billion

Tennis is the most famous racket sport in the world, and it has over a billion fans across the globe. It is a favorite for people of all ages, with its fast-paced action perfect for both competition and fitness. The sport only requires a racket, ball, and court, making it easy for people of all ages to compete. Moreover, tennis courts are much smaller than the fields for other sports like hockey and football, making it easily accessible worldwide. The rules are also quite simple, and the aim is to strike a ball over or around the net onto the opponent’s court. If the opponent is unable to return the ball, you win a point, and the average game consists of four points. Games can be in the “singles” format with one player on each side or “doubles” with two players on each side.

In addition to the fun one-versus-one vibe of tennis, the sport is also known for its prominent tournaments. The four most popular are the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open. Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, starting in 1877. Since then, the event has become increasingly popular, reaching over 36 million people in 2024. Tennis is also one of the original Olympic sports and has been part of the English aristocracy since the mid-1800s.

Volleyball - 900 Million

Similar to Tennis, Volleyball is another sport played on a smaller court divided by a net, but the rules are quite different. This team sport has two teams of six players, and players use their hands to hit and ground a ball on the opponent’s side of the court. While the complete rule set is quite complicated, the game requires physical fitness and quick reflexes to stop the ball from touching the ground and hit it onto your opponent’s side. This excitement factor and pace make volleyball one of the most famous sports in the world for both players and viewers. As of 2025, volleyball is the fifth most popular sport, with over 900 million fans.

Along with the standard form of the game, beach volleyball is also a popular variant. As the name suggests, beach volleyball is played on the beach or on a similar sand court. Instead of six players, each team has four players, and the rules to win are similar. Thanks to its beach vibe, this form of volleyball is a popular waterfront activity, with plenty of beaches boasting volleyball nets and courts.

Table Tennis - 850 Million

Table tennis is one of the easiest sports for people to pick up and play. Similar to tennis but on a much smaller scale, all you need for table tennis is the game’s table, a small racket, and a plastic ball. However, unlike tennis, the game does not involve as much running and movement and is easier for people of all ages and skill levels to play. Thanks to this, people play the game in societies, schools, community centers, office spaces, and more. With its ease and availability, table tennis is the sixth most popular sport in the world, with over 850 million fans.

While the game is simple at a friendly level, professional table tennis has a different vibe. It can be quite fast-paced, requiring quick reactions, sharp movements, and technical movements like spin, a method of changing a ball’s movement in the air. Like tennis, there are singles and doubles, with one and two players per side, respectively. Some of the most watched events for table tennis are the World Table Tennis Championships, the Olympics, and the Table Tennis World Cup.

Basketball - 800 Million

Basketball is another riveting team sport that people love to watch and play. It is played with two teams of five players on a rectangular court with a hoop on each side. The goal of each team is to shoot the ball into the opposing team's hoop while defending their own. Players use various skills, from dribbling to jump shots, to get past defenders and score points with shots. Thus, there is a highly competitive nature, which results in some great shots, moments, and games. Over the years, basketball has garnered more and more popularity, reaching a fanbase of around 800 million people in 2025. Along with being fans, many people also play socially, with variants that involve only one hoop, making it easier to play in small spaces.

Basketball is one of the newer sports on this list, and the earliest traces of similar activities date back to the 16th century. However, it wasn't until the late 1800s that the sport known today was invented by a Canadian American professor who was trying to keep his gym class active. Today, the game is most popular in the United States, thanks to the National Basketball Association (NBA). This professional sports league is considered the best in the world, with 30 teams contending each year to win the championship. As of February 2025, NBA games were averaging nearly 1.5 million viewers.

Baseball - 500 Million

Baseball is the only other bat-and-ball game on this list besides cricket. It has been one of the top sports for many years, with a unique scoring system and engagement that make it amazing to watch. To this end, people worldwide follow matches, with countries like the United States, Japan, and South Korea boasting a strong fanbase. It is even considered the de-facto national sport in the United States due to its deep-rooted history and cultural impact over the past century. With such significance and heritage, Baseball boasts over 500 million fans across the world.

Another factor that makes baseball so popular is the sport’s root-level involvement with communities. Many towns and schools have their own teams, which people of all groups can rally behind and support. Most areas also have children's teams or Little League Baseball, which allows kids to play the sport. When this social involvement is combined with international tournaments like the World Baseball Classic and Major League Baseball, it is obvious why baseball is so famous.

Rugby - 475 Million

Rugby is a high-contact team sport known for its intense physicality and strategic gameplay. The sport has several significant formats, with Rugby Union and Rugby League being the two most widely recognized versions. Both involve teams aiming to carry or kick the ball over the opponent’s goal line to score points, but they differ in rules, team sizes, and gameplay structures. Rugby Union, the older and more widely followed format, is played with 15 players per team, while rugby league, a faster-paced variant, features 13 players per team. Additionally, the sport has rugby sevens, a shorter, high-speed version played with just seven players per team. This format has gained immense popularity, especially in international tournaments like the Olympics and the World Rugby Sevens Series.

Several prestigious tournaments define rugby’s competitive scene. The Rugby World Cup, held every four years, is the apex event, drawing millions of viewers globally. France's most recent 2023 World Cup saw over 800 Million TV views. Rugby’s passionate following, thrilling matches, and historic rivalries continue to make it one of the most beloved sports in the world. As of February 2025, it is estimated that over 475 million people watch and follow the sport.

Golf - 450 Million

Golf stands out as the only club-and-ball sport on this list, requiring players to use a variety of clubs to hit a ball into a series of holes on a golf course in as few strokes as possible. Though the concept is simple, the sport demands precision, skill, and strategy, making it one of the most technically challenging games. Unlike many team-based sports, golf is typically played individually, and courses are designed with various obstacles such as bunkers, water hazards, and uneven terrain, adding layers of difficulty and strategic decision-making.

While it may seem challenging, the sport is also relatively low-impact, allowing people of all ages to play, especially seniors. This accessibility, combined with its strategic depth, has made golf a favorite for millions worldwide. The sport has a strong following in countries like the United States, Scotland, England, and Australia, where top-tier golf courses are a major draw. However, golf has been growing in popularity beyond its traditional strongholds, with countries like South Korea, Japan, and China producing world-class players and expanding its global reach. The rise of professional golfers from these nations has contributed to the sport’s increasing fanbase, particularly in Asia.

At a professional level, golf has four major annual events known as the Majors, which are at the pinnacle of the sport. These are the Masters, the U.S. Open, the Open Championship, and the PGA Championship. The Masters Tournament is one of the largest, with 85-100 participants and a prize fund of USD 20 million. It also garnered a viewership of nearly 10 million in 2024, making it one of the most-watched events in the world. With its mental strategy, skill, and leisurely pace, golf continues to grow at both the professional and casual levels.

Sports are more than just games; they bring people together, create lasting memories, and shape cultures across the world. Whether it’s the energy of a packed football stadium, the strategy behind a golf swing, or the raw intensity of a rugby match, every sport has something that keeps fans coming back. Some, like cricket and hockey, have different versions played in various regions, while others, like basketball and baseball, are deeply rooted in specific countries.

Beyond entertainment, sports build communities, fuel national pride, and keep people active. From casual games in the neighborhood to global tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics, they are a constant presence in daily life. With new talent emerging and more ways to play and watch, sports will only keep growing. No matter what you enjoy, there’s a sport out there for everyone.

Updated on February 20, 2025, to reflect the most recent data.