Rank Sport Popularity (%) 1 American Football 74.5 2 Basketball 56.6 3 Baseball 50.5 4 Boxing 23.4 5 Ice Hockey 22.1 6 Soccer 21.6 7 Golf 19.7 8 WWE 16.7 9 Tennis 15.5 10 Motorsports 14.6
1. American Football (74.5%)
Most Watched American Sport :American football takes the crown when it comes to popularity, and this is the most-watched sport in the US.
The NFL (National Football League) is the highest professional level of American football in the world and arguably the biggest professional sports league in the United States and Canada, and perhaps the world as a whole.
The NFL pulls remarkable viewership numbers. Their regular season viewership in 2021 was 17.1 million on TV and digital media. This speaks volumes about the popularity of the sport. The NFL has pretty much secured its first position in viewership and popularity since the 1920s when it was first formed.most watched American sport
American football is rooted deep in American culture, as it is widely played everywhere, from high school to college to international arenas. Many outsiders may confuse American football with rugby. Although they are similar, they are two completely different sports with different rules of play, different sizes, and different looks on the field. Both of these sports also use different balls, with a different number of players on each team, as well as different pieces of equipment and game time!
2. most watched American sport, Basketball (56.6%)
Surprised to find boxing so close to the top? We were too! But apparently, Americans love their boxing.
After all, boxing not only originated in the United States in the 19th century, but many of the greatest boxers of all time are American. This includes Muhammad Ali, Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Rocky Marciano, Archie Moore, John L. Sullivan, Jack Johnson, James Corbett, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, and.
Back in the day, boxing used to be the pride of America, and it drew some of the largest crowds.most watched American sport America became and still is the center of professional boxing. Therefore, it is no wonder that the sport still has a special place in the hearts of the American people. However, since the NBA and the NYSAC were sometimes crowned different “world champions” in the same division, in 1962, the NBA officially became the WBA (World Boxing Association) on August 23, 1962.
4. Boxing(23.4%)
Surprised to find boxing so close to the top? We were too! But apparently, Americans love their boxing.
After all, boxing not only originated in the United States in the 19th century, but many of the greatest boxers of all time are American.This includes Muhammad Ali, Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Joe Frazier, Floyd Mayweather, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Rocky Marciano, Archie Moore, John L. Sullivan, Jack Johnson, James Corbett, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, and.most watched American sport
Back in the day, boxing used to be the pride of America, and it drew some of the largest crowds.America became and still is the center of professional boxing. Therefore, it is no wonder that the sport still has a special place in the hearts of the American people. However, since the NBA and the NYSAC were sometimes crowned different “world champions” in the same division, in 1962, the NBA officially became the WBA. NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car AutoRacing) is probably the most popular major league in America. World Boxing Association) on August 23, 1962.
5. Ice Hockey (22.1%)
Compared to Canada, where ice hockey dominates, in the US it is the 5th most popular sport. Targeting an audience of 18 to 45 years old, this sport becomes more and more popular as you travel north up the United States.
Ice hockey became more popular with the invention of artificial ice rinks. Ever since America won its first gold medal in the Winter Olympics in ice hockey, its popularity increased, and ice hockey became the number 1 choice for indoor recreational sports. The National Hockey League (NHL) is the highest and most popular level of ice hockey.most watched American sport
6. Soccer (21.6%)
Soccer may be the most enjoyed and popular game all over the world, but in the US, it is only just starting to gain fame and increase in popularity.
The sport simply was not an immediate hit among American fans and sports lovers. However, the World Cup is one of the most talked-about events this year, and the popularity of soccer in the United States has increased significantly due to this event. Even though it may not be at the very top of the list, soccer still pulls remarkable viewership and participation.
Federation, The USSF, or U.S. Soccer Federation,n is the country’s governing body for the sport, and it oversees the league system. It is also responsible for sanctioning professional leagues. There are many soccer leagues in the USA, such as the MLS, U.S. Soccer, the National Women’s Soccer League, and Concacaf.
Some of the greatest soccer players to come from America include Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tab Ramos, Cobi Jones, Michael Bradley, Christian Pulisic, DaMarcus Beasley, Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride, Brad Friedel, and Tim Howard.
7. Golf ( 19.7%)
beingGolf has the reputation of being “a rich old man game,” but that was just a phase.
At least 10% of the US population claims to play golf. That is nearly 30 million people.
It is a hugely popular pastime for many people.
The United States Professional Golf Association, or USPGA, is the body responsible for overseeing championships such as the U.S. Open and the U.S. Women’s Open.
The United States has also been a pioneer in women’s golf, with some of the greatest female golfers of all time hailing from the land of the free.
Some of the most popular golfers from the US are:
Ben Hogan, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and Sam Snead.
8. WWE (16.7%)
Wrestling reached its peak in the early 2000s, and the entertainment industry started to promote various versions of it. This made the sport super entertaining for all viewers!
WWE, or World Wrestling Entertainment, is the pinnacle of wrestling in the US.
The WWE increased the popularity of wrestling and forever changed how the sport was viewed.
We all know how much Americans like the spectacle, and WWE superstars like John Cena, Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and The Rock used to put on an entire spectacle that pushed the boundaries of sports into the realms of entertainment.
9. Tennis (15.5%)
In America, tennis is rather seen as a “transitional game,” which makes it stand out among other American sports.
The NTL, or National Tennis League, was a governing body for the American professional tennis tour, but in 1970 it was sold to the World Championship Tennis (WCT).
Currently, there are 4 main tennis levels: NTRP, UTR, ITF, and ATP.
The NTRP is responsible for placing players in the appropriate leagues. UTR has a system that uses an algorithm to rate the players based on their recent results.The ITF and ATP rankings are for professionals, as they are based on tournament points and are used to make the official rankings.
Some of the greatest US tennis players of all time include:
10. Motorsports (14.6%)
We all know how Americans love their vehicles, so it’s not that surprising to see the popularity of motorsports in the US.
Interestingly, Americans love to explore their local racing series, such as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the NASCAR Cup series, compared to bigger events like Formula One and Moto GP. Even though the world adores Formula One and perceives it as the most popular motorsport, in the US, Formula One is not as popular as in Europe and South America, although the Netflix ‘Drive to Survive’ series has helped in that regard. NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) is probably the most popular major league in America.
It attracts millions of spectators, including sold-out crowds at several tracks. Some of the most prominent players in the US are Fred Lorenzen, Fireball Roberts, Dale Earnhardt, and Richard Petty. In recent years, the thrill of racing a motor vehicle on 2 or 4 wheels has moved to tracing the racing game on screen. Online racing games are continuing to double their viewership numbers.