The 10 most popular sports in the world in 2023 | AthleticTell (2023)

What is the most popular sport in the world?

As an instrument of socioeconomic change, sport did more than entertain.

It helped build one of the most dynamic economies the world has ever seen.

In some of the world's wealthiest economies, income from fun sports activities has helped fuel economic growth.

Proof of this is the effect that sport had on the Gross Domestic Income (GDP) of the United States.

RespectivelypoliticalUS professional sports revenues will reach approximately $83.1 billion, shaping the economy of the 21st century.

There are different sports and we conclude by presenting the 11 most popular sports in the world as of 2023.

Our ranking is based on estimated number of fans, including global viewership (TV views), online popularity (social media and search results), gender equality, sponsorship/endorsement deals, and most populated region.

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The most popular sports in the world.

10. Golf - 450 million fans

Golf has an estimated fan base of approximately 450 million people worldwide.

It is most prevalent in North America, Western Europe and East Asia regions.

In golf, players try to get the ball into the hole in as few strokes as possible.

RespectivelyGOLF.es, approximately 441 million rounds of golf were played in the United States alone in 2019.

The sport is sponsored worldwide by big brands like BMW, Cadillac, Rolex, Adidas, Nike and a few others.

9. Rugby: 475 million fans

As a cross-gender sport, rugby is a sport that attracts as many people as possible.10 million playersworld.

Rugby is a contact sport very similar to American football.

However, while rugby players had little protective equipment, football players had a lot, including helmets and pads.

O esporte é tendência no Reino Unido, Austrália, Nova Zelândia e outras nações da Commonwealth.

The just-concluded Rugby World Cup in Japan has attracted a lot of attention online as different countries make history and receive surprising surprises.

Rugby's most prestigious tournament attracts the best names in world rugby, as well as top brands that allocate significant sponsorship funds.

Brands such as MasterCard, Heineken, Emirates, DHL and Toshiba, which sponsored the 2019 Rugby World Cup, are helping to boost the game's popularity.

8. Baseball - 500 million fans

Baseball is not only a recreational sport in the United States, but it is also very popular in the Caribbean and East Asia.

Major League Baseball (MLB), the pinnacle of baseball leagues around the world, has approximately 500 million fans worldwide.

In a test of gender equality, male players dominate the sport.

Baseball attracts sponsorships from major brands such as Mastercard, Chevrolet and Papa John's.

7. Basketball - 825 million fans

A fashionable sport, the American-Canadian teacherJames Naismithinvented, basketball is now played around the world with an estimated 825 million fans.

Basketball is a fast-paced sport played by two teams.

There's no denying that basketball is one of the most talked about sports in the world right now.

The sport also has its various women's leagues around the world, which also attracts media attention.

Basketball fans can attest that brands are willing to spend millions of dollars on sponsorship deals with the best basketball players.

These offers sometimes continued even after the player's retirement, as can be seen in theLebron JamesYMichael Jordan shoe deal with Nike.

6. Table Tennis - 875 million fans

Also known as table tennis, since 2003 the table tennis fan base has grown to 875 million.

The sport emerged at the beginning of the 20th century.^heCentury.

Although the table tennis events are not as publicized as other high profile sporting tournaments, it does have a moderate following and fan following on social media across the world.

Table tennis is particularly popular in Asia, Europe, America and Africa.

Brands like Autohome and Sports Master sponsor table tennis tournaments.

5. Volleyball - 900 million fans

As a sport that attracts up to 900 million fans, volleyball gets a lot of attention around the world, especially in the Americas, Western Europe, Australia and Asia.

However, it is less televised compared to other top-tier sports.

Volleyball's popularity among both sexes is increasing, making it one of the fastest developing sports of modern times.

Brands like Mikasa, Dick's Sporting Goods support volleyball events.

4. Tennis: one billion fans

Tennis is a very strenuous and physically intense sport where surprise surprises are not uncommon.

The emergence of new talent in recent years has helped increase the excitement of the competition to the delight of billions of tennis fans.

Both men's and women's sneakers are attracting excellent media attention as of late, attracting the attention of brands such as Audemars Piguet, Rolex and TAG Heuer.

These brands pay huge sums of money to tennis stars in endorsement and sponsorship deals.

3. Hockey: 2 billion fans

Both ice hockey and field hockey are among the most popular sports in the world.

Hockey gets a lot of attention in the US, Canada and Northern Europe, as well as other regions.

About 2 billion people follow ice hockey worldwide, especially the National Hockey League (NHL).

Brands like Gatorade, Reebok and others that are willing to sign endorsement deals with these teams are also attracting a lot of attention from the men's and women's hockey leagues.

2. Cricket: 2.5 billion fans

Another popular sport with a huge global reach, cricket is a fantastic sport followed by around 2.5 billion fans, mostly from countries like Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand and India.

The most watched cricket competition, the Cricket World Cup, last played in 2019, was watched by an estimated 2.6 billion people.

Although male-dominated cricket is getting more attention, female-dominated cricket has been gaining popularity in recent years.

Cricket also enjoys its fair share of endorsement deals from various brands, particularly brands that manufacture bats.

1. Association football (soccer): 4 billion fans

With an estimated 4 billion fans, association football, or soccer as it is known in the United States and Canada, is arguably the most popular sport in the world.

Football is played by two teams on a rectangular field with a goal at each end.

Each team tries to dribble the ball and hit the opponent's goal.

The sport is played by more than 270 million people worldwide (mainly in Europe, South and Central America and Africa) and tops the list of the most watched sports in the world.

Football's most prestigious tournament, the FIFA World Cup, was watched by a record 3.5 billion fans in 2018.

In addition, allbig soccer tournament, from the UEFA Champions League to the English Premier League or La Liga, is widely followed across various social media platforms.

While men's football receives a lot of media attention, women's football is not left out.

Sport always gets a lot of media attention.

Big brands such as Coca-Cola, Qatar Airways, Pepsi, Nike, Puma and Adidas have signed multimillion-dollar deals with football governing bodies such as FIFA and UEFA, as well as major football clubs and national teams.

Football (soccer) is also one of thehighest paid sport in the world.

Summary

Association football is the most popular team sport in the world, with approximately 4 billion fans worldwide.

With about 270 million players, football is the collective sport with the most practitioners in the world.

final thoughts

The euphoria, excitement, excitement and enthusiasm that sport brings is a testament to its wonderful effect on human beings.

For centuries, people have enjoyed the joy of imaginative entertainment thanks to the emotional and joyful connection it has created in our hearts and minds.

In times when the world has witnessed violence, sport has brought a smile to the sad faces of those affected.

An example is the armistice on Christmas Day 1914, where both warring factions put aside all differences to enjoy a good game of football.

It was a kind and supportive gesture in the midst of so much violence.

Undoubtedly, the sport has received the attention it deserves from all generations.

Feel free to share your thoughts on this ranking of the world's most popular sports in our comments section below.

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