Most Played Global Sports around the world : 12. Athletics(Track & Field ) 11. Rugby 10. Golf 9. Baseball 8. Table Tennis 7. Cricket 6. Tennis 5. Basketball 4. Volleyball 3. Field Hockey 2. Badminton 1. Football/Soccer
Unsurprisingly, football (soccer) emerges as the clear victor, leading on 1 number out of the 12 lists. Basketball and cricket also maintain high rankings across multiple lists, solidifying their status as global favorites.
- Football/Soccer
Football stands unrivaled as a spectator sport, matched only by its vast participation rates across grassroots levels, 5-a-side leagues, and casual games among friends. According to FIFA’s global census, an estimated 265 million individuals engage in football, alongside over 5 million referees, constituting approximately 4% of the world’s population.
- Badminton
Surprisingly to some, badminton secures its place among the top 10 most participated sports globally. With an estimated 220 million enthusiasts worldwide, badminton thrives as a beloved indoor sport, particularly popular in Asia, boasting a lineage of exceptional players hailing from the continent.
- Field Hockey
A dynamic and widely played sport, field hockey captivates athletes worldwide, with participants spanning over 100 countries across five continents. As a staple at the Olympic Games, field hockey’s technical prowess shines through its fast-paced gameplay, involving 10 outfield players and a goalkeeper, distinct from its ice hockey counterpart.
- Volleyball
Originating in America, volleyball boasts a staggering global participation figure of 998 million individuals. Played both indoors and outdoors across the globe, volleyball enjoys the patronage of over 220 affiliated national federations under the global governing body, FIVB.
- Basketball
With an estimated minimum of 450 million players globally, basketball enjoys widespread popularity, thanks to iconic figures such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, who have propelled the sport beyond its American roots into a global phenomenon.
- Tennis
Renowned as the foremost individual sport worldwide, tennis boasts an estimated participation of 60 million men and women globally, with doubles play also gaining immense popularity, securing its spot on the list of the top 10 most participated sports.
- Cricket
While cricket finds its stronghold in countries like Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, and the UK, its popularity is burgeoning worldwide. Recognized by the ICC, cricket witnesses participation from 125 countries, showcasing its universal appeal.
- Table Tennis
Table tennis has seen a surge in popularity, with integration into educational institutions, social clubs, and sports centers globally. Topend Sports estimates a participation figure of 300 million worldwide, attesting to its widespread reach.
- Baseball
Once confined to American shores, baseball’s popularity has transcended borders, gaining traction in countries like Japan. Softball, its female counterpart, also enjoys global participation, with an estimated 65 million individuals engaging in either baseball or softball across 140 countries, as per the WBSC.
- Golf
As one of the most cherished pastimes globally, golf boasts a participation figure of 60 million individuals, according to Golf Today. Regular participation, defined as engaging in at least one round of golf annually or utilizing facilities like driving ranges, underscores golf’s enduring appeal worldwide.
11. Rugby
Rugby is a dynamic and physically demanding team sport that originated in England in the early 19th century. It is played with an oval-shaped ball and involves two teams of 15 players each (in rugby union) or 13 players each (in rugby league), aiming to score points by carrying, passing, kicking, or grounding the ball in the opponent’s territory.
12. Athletics(Track & Field )
Athletics, commonly known as track and field, encompasses a wide range of competitive sporting events that showcase individual and team performances in running, jumping, throwing, and walking disciplines. It is one of the oldest and most diverse sports, with roots dating back to ancient Greek civilization.