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Top 10 Most Popular Sports in America Right Now

Last Updated on September 17, 2023

most popular sports in America

What is the most popular sport in America? This is a hard question to answer directly because of many reasons. We can not guess easily the popularity of a sport but still, there are many things that can make it easy to distinguish.

Sports and games are played all around the world. Some sports are local and some are international. Every country has its own traditional and national sports.

Here we have a list of ten of the most popular sports in the USA. These sports are the most watched and most followed in America.

Strategies used in the grading of these sports are:

  1. Number of fans around the country
  2. People who watched big events in the sport
  3. Highest-paid athletes in that sport
  4. Number of leagues
  5. The social media fan following

Here are the most popular sports in the USA.

01. American Football

Top 10 Most Popular Sports in America

Popularity The most popular American Sport
Major League NFL
Major Events Super Bowl
Popular Athletes Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers

American football is the most popular sport in America.

Football is one of the most popular sports in the world. American football is different from Association football which is known as soccer. American football was first played in the 19th century.

In the United States, the NFL is the biggest sports league and the most-watched league. The Super Bowl is the most-watched sports event in America.

02. Basketball

First Played 1891
Major League NBA
Major Events NBA All-star Weekend
Popular Athletes LeBron James, Stephen Curry

Basketball is the 2nd most popular sport in America.

With millions of fans around the world, basketball is one of the most popular and most followed sports in the world. In the United States, Basketball is the second most-watched sport just after American football.

Basketball was first played in 1891 with its basic rules which are still there with some modifications. Basketball is one of the highest-paying sports in the world.

A number of the richest athletes in the world belong to Basketball.

03. Ice Hockey

First Played 19th Century
Major League NHL
Major Events The Big Chill at the Big House
Popular Athletes Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby

Ice hockey is the third most popular and most-watched sport in America.

Ice hockey was also first played during the 19th century and got fame rapidly due to its thrilling and chilling nature. It is a contact team sport.

Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in the world, especially in America and Canada. This sport is played according to the basic rules of field hockey, with a stick and ball. Historically, it originated in England, and first, it was called ”hockey”.

04. Baseball

First Played 18th Century
Major League MLB
Major Events All-star game
Popular Athletes Mike Trout, Bryce Harper

Baseball is the fourth most popular sport in America.

With millions of fans around the country and the region, Baseball is one of the most-watched sports in America. Baseball is also one of the old sports which was first played during the 18th century.

Baseball is played with a bat and ball like cricket but it is different from cricket in many ways and rules. Like cricket, it is also played between two teams where one does batting and the other fielding.

In America, Baseball became popular during the 1850s. At the current time, it is one of the most-watched sports in America.

05. Tennis

First Played Around 1860
Major League NFL
Major Events US Open Tennis
Popular Athletes Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal

Tennis is the fifth most-watched sport in America.

The single-player sport, tennis is one of the most popular and most followed sports around the world. This is a racket sport in that a single player plays against a single player (or a team against a team).

Tennis was first played around 1860 and became more popular in the worln. As of now, it has some of the most popular athletes in the world.

06. Golf

First Played 15th Century
Major League PGA Tour, LPGA
Major Events PGA Tour
Popular Athletes Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy

Golf is the sixth most popular and most watched sport in America.

Golf is one of the older sports on the list. It was first played during the 15th century. Golf is a club-and-ball sport. Currently, it is one of the most popular and highest-paying sports on the planet.

07. Soccer

First Played 19th Century
Major League EPL, UEFA Champions League
Major Events El Classico, UEFA Finals, FIFA World Cup
Popular Athletes Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi

Soccer/football is the 7th most popular sport in America.

Football is the most popular and most played sport in the world. It has around 4 billion fans around the world. In America, it also has great fame and fan following. American soccer team also takes part in mega-events of football. Football is also first played during the 19th century and the rules are still present with some modifications.

USA women’s football/soccer team is one of the best female teams in the world. Because of American football, soccer is not as popular in the country as in Europe. But still, it finds its place among the most popular sports in America.

08. Boxing

Popularity BC
Major League MGM Grand Garden Arena
Major Events MGM Grand Garden Arena
Popular Athletes Manny Pacquiao, Mike Tyson

Boxing is the 8th most-watched and followed sport in America.

Boxing is a combat sport that is usually played between two players. It is different from wrestling in rules but has many similarities also.

Boxing is one of the oldest sports on the planet which is first played before Christ (BC). Today, it is among the most popular sports in the United States. Boxing has become one of the highest-paying sports in the world. Some of the boxers are the richest athletes in the world.

09. Car Racing

First Played 1867
Major League Monaco Grand Prix
Major Events Monaco Grand Prix
Popular Athletes Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton

Car racing is the 9th most popular sport in America.

With the development of technology in the auto industry, car racing is becoming more popular in the world day by day. As its name shows, it is a car race in which drivers try to reach a final spot at a given time or threshold.

Car racing is one of the most thrilling sports in the world. It was first played in 1867. It is present now in its advanced form.

10. Wrestling

First Played 19th Century
Major League (Categories) WWE, Freestyle Wrestling
Major Events WWE World Championship
Popular Athletes Dwayne Johnson, John Cena

Wrestling is the 10th most popular sport in America.

Wrestling was first played in the 19th century. It is similar to boxing in many ways and basics. With the passage of time, it became one of the most popular entertainment around the world.

It is also played in ring-like boxing. Usually, individuals take part in it but it is also played between teams. Wrestling events are some of the biggest events in America. Millions of people around the country watch and follow this popular sport.

If you want to give your feedback about the most popular American sports, please comment in the below box.

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