The 10 most popular sports in the world

Football (Soccer) - 

4 Billion  Soccer fans cheering their team with colorful scarves at a crowded stadium in the evening. 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, to get 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.

Stadium with a Soccer Championship Match. 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, the 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.

 

 

Tennis is played in singles or doubles formats, and major tournaments known as the Grand Slams—the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open—are the most prestigious events in the sport. Legendary players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams have elevated the game with record-breaking achievements and fierce rivalries. Tennis is not only a fixture in the Olympics but also popular in countries like the USA, Spain, Switzerland, Serbia, and Japan. The sport combines power, speed, mental strength, and finesse, making it a favorite among audiences of all ages and a symbol of both individual excellence and global sportsmanship.

Volleyball

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

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

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 fan base 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    

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 fan base. 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

Rugby is a physically demanding and fast-paced team sport known for its power, strategy, and intense team spirit. Originating in England in the early 19th century, rugby has grown into a major international sport, especially popular in countries like New Zealand, South Africa, England, Australia, France, and Wales. The sport is governed globally by World Rugby, with two main versions: Rugby Union (15 players per side) and Rugby Sevens (7 players, faster matches). The game involves carrying, passing, and kicking an oval-shaped ball with the aim of scoring "tries" by grounding the ball in the opponent’s in-goal area. Rugby is celebrated for its physicality and sportsmanship, with respect for referees and opponents being a core part of its culture. Major tournaments include the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations Championship, The Rugby Championship, and the Olympic Rugby Sevens. New Zealand’s All Blacks, known for their haka and dominance, are one of the most iconic teams in sports history. Rugby continues to grow worldwide, attracting new fans with its thrilling gameplay and strong sense of camaraderie and respect.

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