Apart from being a global power, there are a few things the United States of America is well-known for – its high-quality education, Hollywood, and sports. Sports in the USA promote unity, celebration, and a particular enthusiasm that encourages pride and a competitive spirit. Some of the most popular sports in the USA are conducted as huge annual events, sparking a spirit of passion. Football, basketball, baseball, and ice hockey are some of the most popular sports in America. To learn more about them, continue reading our guide to find the most famous sport in the USA.
#1 American Football
American Football is a team sport consisting of two teams of eleven players each whose goal is to carry the ball to the other team’s end post. Also called Gridiron, American football vastly differs from conventional football (or soccer). Everything differs from using feet, ball, aim, pace, and goal to the players’ roles. Some people tend to confuse American football with Rugby. However, yet again, the former has distinct features than the latter.
NFL – National Football League and the NCAA – National Collegiate Athletic Association are the most significant professional sports leagues in the USA, Canada and probably the world. American football is deep-rooted in American culture and is a vital part of their everyday lives. Tom Brady, John Albert Elway Jr, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Brett Favre and Ed Reed are some of the most famous professional players in American football.
Popularity: 74.50%
Major League/Championship: NFL
Notable Athletes: Tom Brady, John Albert Elway Jr, Peyton Manning, Dan Marino, Brett Favre and Ed Reed
#2 Basketball
NBA, or the National Basketball Association, conducts the most popular professional sports league every year. Two teams of five players aim to score hoops on a court usually filled with hardcore basketball fans. Unlike American football, basketball in the USA isn’t much different than conventional basketball worldwide. Nearly 20 million people watch the NBA finals each year to follow through the tournament.
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Charles Barkley are not only famous basketball players in the USA but are also regarded as the most world-famous players of all time. Following these icons, over 25 per cent of Americans between 18 and 64 years of age play this sport at least once in their lifetime. Today, it has transformed from a sports event into an annual event of sportsmanship and competition.
Popularity: 56.60%
Major League/Championship: NBA
Notable Athletes: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Charles Barkley
#3 Baseball
Source: Maruccielite Texas
One of the most popular sports in the USA, Baseball, has been America’s Pastime since the 19th century. It is somewhat equivalent to cricket followed around the world. It’s a bat-and-ball game played between two teams on a diamond-shaped field with a “pitcher’s mound” from which the pitcher delivers. MLB, or Major League Baseball, conducts around 162 professional baseball games for 30 teams each over six months.
Although baseball is often regarded as the most famous sport in the US, its popularity is gaining traction globally, too. Baseball has a rich history with several legendary teams, like the Yankees and Red Sox. According to several surveys, most Americans associate the fervour of Baseball with childhood memories as it requires intense strength, passion, and strategy.
Popularity: 50.50%
Major League/Championship: MLB
Notable Athletes: Carlos Santana, Aaron Judge, Justin Verlander, Migul Cabrera, and Evan Longoria
#4 Boxing
While boxing is quite popular across the globe, it ranks 4th on the list of the most popular sports in the USA. Similar to Basketball, the major league for boxing also follows the acronym NBA, meaning National Boxing Association. While boxing has an incredible history in the US and maintains a lot of historical and cultural significance, people enjoy watching boxing because of its immense entertainment value. It has demanded extreme strength, practice, and utmost dedication over the years.
Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Sugar Ray Leonard are some of the popular boxers in the USA who have eventually become a symbol of American boxing. Several blockbuster events and pay-per-view matches ensure public engagement and enthusiasm.
Popularity: 23.40%
Major League/Championship: NBA
Notable Athletes: Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Sugar Ray Leonard
#5 Ice Hockey
Source: Wiki Ice Hockey
While not as extreme as boxing, Ice Hockey is a fast-paced sport that makes the list of one of the most popular sports in the USA because of its thrill and active excitement against the rapid rush of time. The NHL, National Hockey League, hosts the Stanley Cup Finals regularly, involving around 5 million viewers. Thirty-two teams from the US and Canada compete in this thrilling game of stick and puck at lightning speed. The fact that it’s played exclusively on frozen ponds and lakes makes it even more exciting.
Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings are two of the most popular Ice Hockey teams globally. Top players must maintain high speed, employ intense skill and showcase rigid physicality to stand the stress of this sport.
Popularity: 22.10%
Major League/Championship: NHL
Notable Athletes: J. T. Miller, Matthew Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes, Connor Hellebuyck, and Auston Matthews.
#6 Soccer
Soccer, American football and Rugby are often confused because of their similarity in-game or names. However, all three are separate sports. Soccer in the USA is what is football for the rest of the world. Over recent years, soccer has gained more popularity since it’s easy to understand and requires minimal equipment compared to some of the other most popular sports in the USA. In 2017, soccer peaked in its viewership as the community of Major League Soccer (MLS) fans grew.
Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Tab Ramos, Cobi Jones, Michael Bradley, Christian Pulisic, DaMarcus Beasley, Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride, Brad Friedel and Tim Howard are some of the popular American soccer players.
Popularity: 21.60%
Major League/Championship: MLS
Notable Athletes: 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
Source: Economic Times
Over the years, golf has attained the status of being a rich man’s game. However, it is still quite a popular game among several Americans. While it might be complicated to begin with, golf is easy to grasp and enjoyable to play. More than 30 million people in the USA have played golf at some point since it is a hugely recreational sport for many people, and it requires great skill, practice, and precision. Golf also holds great value in social circles as people turn to this sport to make bonds, enhance friendships and even close business deals.
The United States Professional Golf Association, or USPGA, conducts several golf championships, like the US Open or the US Women’s Open, producing prominent golf players, like Ben Hogan, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sam Snead.
Popularity: 19.70%
Major League/Championship: USPGA
Notable Athletes: Ben Hogan, Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sam Snead
#8 Wrestling
There has probably never been a craze as wild as that created by the World Wrestling Entertainment or the WWE. While there are other professional wrestling tournaments and sports championships in the USA, WWE is insanely popular all over the world, garnering more than 1 million pay-per-views. Wrestling involves the portrayal of extreme strength and strategy, along with resilience to your opponent’s attacks. Several WWE moves are ingrained in history as legendary demonstrations of skill.
WWE has produced several popular superstars like John Cena, the Rock, and the Undertaker, who have dominated the WWE culture and fanbase for several years. It is certainly one of the most popular sports in the USA among broadcast viewers.
Popularity: 16.50%
Major League/Championship: WWE
Notable Athletes: John Cena, the Rock, and the Undertaker
#9 Tennis
While tennis might not garner the same viewership as American football or basketball, it is certainly one of the most popular sports in the USA, as a large percentage of Americans enjoy playing it themselves. It is also one of the very few sports in the US that enjoy equal viewership for both men and women and aren’t dominated by the former. Tennis has four major levels –
- NTRP (National Tennis Rating Programme) – places players in appropriate leagues.
- UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) – rates the players depending on their skill and experience.
- ITF (International Tennis Federation) – ranks professional players based on tournament points.
- ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) – also ranks professional players based on tournament points.
Serena Williams, Jimmy Connors, Jim Courier, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and Andy Roddick are some of the world-renowned tennis players from the USA.
Popularity: 15.50%
Major League/Championship: MLTT
Notable Athletes: Serena Williams, Jimmy Connors, Jim Courier, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and Andy Roddick
#10 Auto Racing
Source: NY Times
A race full of adrenaline, spirit and competition brought to life by NASCAR, or the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, grips more than 5 million viewers for almost every race. Unlike the popular opinion, auto racing involves much more than just speed. Players must showcase incredible reflexes, skill, command over the motor, and bold manoeuvres. Cars race at more than 200 miles per hour making it a tough spectacle even for the audience.
Daytona International Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway are two of the most legendary racetracks, where thrilling races capture fans’ attention and admiration. The Indianapolis 500, NASCAR, Formula 1, and Formula Drift are a few examples of the most popular racing events worldwide.
Popularity: 14.60%
Major League/Championship: NASCAR
Notable Athletes: A.J. Foyt, Mario Andretti, Richard Petty, Jimmie Johnson, and Jeff Gordon
FAQs
Q1. What are the top 5 sports in the USA?
Ans: Football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer are the top 5 most popular sports in the USA and have the highest viewership.
Q2. What is America’s national sport?
Ans: The United States does not have a national sport. However, baseball is often considered the national pastime because of its cultural and historical significance.
Q3. Which is the highest-growing sport in the USA?
Ans: Tennis is the highest-growing sport in the USA as an increasing number of players join the game every year owing to its increasing popularity.
Q4. Which is the newest sport in the USA?
Ans: Pickleball is the newest sport in the USA. It is a sport played between 2/4 players with a racket or paddle and a hollow plastic ball over a court which is 44 feet long and 20 feet wide.
Thank you for reading our guide to the most popular sports in the USA! Let us know your favourite sport in the comments section below.
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