This sports is the most watched sports at the Olympic games and this has contributed to its popularity hence why it made it to this list of the most popular sports in the world. Basketball, a sport born out of a simple idea by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 to keep his students active during winter, has transformed into a global sport. From the invention of the game with a peach basket in a gymnasium to the establishment of professional leagues like the NBA, basketball has come a long way. Dr. Naismith’s original rules, with many still in effect today, have laid the foundation for a sport that continues to evolve and capture the imagination of fans. Baseball’s distinct combination of athleticism, teamwork, and individual brilliance creates a compelling spectacle that resonates with fans globally.

You will typically see players set up a high ball for their teammates that will jump very high and try to smash it down. On the other side of the net, the opposing team gathers and jumps as high as possible to block the ball. As for clubs, they compete against each other all throughout the year in many different leagues. The most competitive ones are definitely England’s “Premier League”, Spain’s “La Liga” and Germany’s “Bundesliga”. The most followed football club event is the UEFA Champions League tournament, which takes place every year in Europe.

Like other countries, professional wrestling was a carnival act in its early days. It would be that way for a number of years before making it to television in the 1950s, and cable in the 80s via the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling, and more. The United States has seen several different eras of pro wrestling, such as the territory days, the Monday Night Wars, and modern day, where WWE and AEW are the biggest promotions around.

The most famous football clubs are all in Europe, and fans mostly watch European leagues all around the world. Some of the most notorious ones are FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Liverpool FC, Bayern München, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea FC, Manchester City, and Manchester United. With an estimated 500 million followers of the game, baseball is the ninth world’s most popular sport.

• The FIFA World Cup is probably the apex event, taking place every four years with dozens of teams from across the globe.
• While American football dominates the sports scene in the United States, its global popularity is relatively limited.
• Some mind sports are recognised by sporting federations.The following list is intended to represent anything that is likely to be referred to as a mind sport, not to argue their validity as sports.

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The sport has seen its share of highs and lows, from the golden era of Muhammad Ali to Mike Tyson’s explosive but controversial reign. Some of the biggest fights in history have taken place in the ring, making it a must-watch for any fan looking for an exciting show. Despite its waning popularity, boxing remains an important part of sports culture. Most people know that while soccer may not be as popular in the United States, it is HUGE around most of the rest of the world. Football or soccer, as its known in the United States, is by far the most popular sport in the world.

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Mixed martial arts, mostly known as MMA, has the most underserved fan base on the planet. Around half a billion fans regularly follow the sport from all around the world. It is one of the fastest-growing sports on the planet and has been for the past couple of years. Volleyball has been a part of the Olympic Games since 1964, and it is vastly appreciated as a recreational sport by the youth. Opposite to other sports, volleyball is quite evenly spread throughout the world, and fans really enjoy the Olympics event. There are also other leagues in other countries, mostly in Europe, as well as other tournaments (like the EuroBasket), but again, the vast majority of followers enjoy watching the NBA.

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In the US, baseball has become a part of American culture and its iconic status is evident in everything from movies to artworks. It’s no surprise that it’s still a beloved favorite after all these years. Fans in North and South America, Asia, and Australia share the same passion and devotion for tennis, making it a truly global sport. The US Open, one of the four Grand Slam events, ups the ante for the best of the best.

Most people play basketball because it is an exciting, physically intensive and fast-paced sport, allowing young players with different skill levels to enjoy it. Around 450 million people play basketball in 213 countries at local, community and national levels. Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, with you can look here over 2.2 billion fans. Chinese players have made significant achievements in table tennis, and some of the greatest table tennis players of all-time are Chinese. For instance, Chinese athletes won 28 gold medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics. Today, snooker is played in many countries, with the World Snooker Tour featuring players from England, China, and other nations.

Though cricket originated in England, its immense popularity reaches its pinnacle in India, where cricket isn’t just a game but rather a national obsession. While there are many sports in the world, these are the 20 most popular sports. The exact origins of Cricket are not known, however, it is believed to have originally been a children’s game that was played in England at least as early as 1550. By around 1610 it had begun to be played by adults and its popularity grew. Without further ado, here are the top ten most popular sports in the world.