Sport. Many take part in it on a daily basis, some devote their free time to watching it, while others settle for playing it at the weekends. But however often you participate in sports, and however much or little time you spend watching it, few can deny it’s overriding appeal and ability to bring communities together.
But have you ever been curious as to what are the most popular sports in the world?
The following 10 sports have the highest participation rates in the world, and while they might not exist on your list of favorites, they are undoubtedly, unashamedly, among the world’s most popular:
- Soccer/football
Whatever you choose to call it, soccer is unrivalled as a spectator sport, and is participated in by just as many. With recent estimates suggesting that as many as 265 million people play the sport the world over, whether it’s for fun or professional, it is indeed a beautiful and popular game.
- Badminton
While you might not automatically think of badminton for a list like this, it is played by approximately 220 million people globally. It’s especially popular in Asian countries, where many of the sports best players come from.
- Cricket
Participants of cricket typically come from countries like India, Pakistan, the UK, South Africa and Australia, but many other countries are beginning to take it up as a sport. In fact, the International Cricket Council (ICC) state that as many as 125 countries worldwide play cricket in some form or another.
- Field hockey
Played in 5 continents and by both men and women, this sport is fast-paced and highly technical. With 10 outfield players and a goalkeeper, it has different rules to those of Ice Hockey, and is a popular sport at the Olympics.
- Volleyball
While this sport has its origins in America, globally, it’s thought that as many as 998 million people participate in it every year. With indoor and outdoor versions equally as popular, the volleyball’s worldwide governing body, the FIVB, has more than 220 national federations registered to it.
- Basketball
Whether played recreationally or through formal competitions, it’s estimated that a whopping 450 million people take part in basketball all over the world. Players such as Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan shot to fame during their time in the world of basketball, and helped this American sport gain popularity among young people.
- Tennis
As an individual sport, tennis is arguably the single most popular and highly participated in, with as many as 60 million playing in it globally, and many more tuning in to watch televised tournaments every year.
- Table tennis
Played in social clubs, schools, and sport centres across all corners of the globe, table tennis is accessible to so many different types of people, with fitness levels not necessarily so much of a factor when played recreationally. The latest estimate is that around 300 million take part in the sport globally.
- Baseball
Throughout history, baseball was predominantly popular in America, but it has since enjoyed something of a boom in other countries, too, such as Japan. With the female version of the sport named softball, more than 65 million people are thought to enjoy both versions in as many as 140 different countries.
- Golf
With 60 million people enjoying participating in golf, it could well be a contender for best sports in the world. While traditionally a male dominated sport (as so many were!), more and more females are taking part in professional golf tournaments and playing for fun.
There are of course, many more sports that exist around the world, and over time, new sports may come to light and grow in popularity. But for the time being, these are 10 sports that people most enjoy participating in globally.
