There are millions of avid sports fans worldwide, and many reside right here in the United States. Humans are naturally competitive, and sports are a fun and healthy way to channel that competitive spirit. In ancient times, societies around the globe often used sports to settle disputes or make decisions. Today, we watch sports for entertainment purposes, while the athletes playing the sports make millions of dollars.
As you know, we include many different sports in our free sports picks. However, some sports are more prevalent in certain countries than others. Discover the top 10 most popular sports in the U.S. today.
1. Football
Whenever you turn on the television in America, you’ll find at least a couple of channels that show football all day long. Football’s popularity grows more and more every year, so it is now a trendy sport in many other countries worldwide. Keep in mind that this is American football. The sport most other countries around the world refer to as “football” is what Americans call “soccer.”
2. Baseball
Both Minor League and Major League Baseball are popular in the United States. Many U.S. residents claim that watching or playing baseball is an American tradition. Baseball is an iconic symbol of America, right up there with eagles and apple pies. The reason baseball is so important in the U.S. is that it was invented in America back in the 19th century. This sport played an important role in shaping American culture and society.
3. Basketball
There’s a reason basketball is one of the highest-paying sports in the world. The NBA has produced some of the greatest basketball players of all time, such as LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Although millions of Americans enjoy watching the NBA, they don’t discount the college leagues. In fact, some Americans prefer to watch college basketball instead of the NBA since the college leagues feature new and rising talent.
4. Ice Hockey
Ice hockey is thrilling, fast-paced, and filled with action. What more could you want from a sport? In the United States, people refer to this sport simply as “hockey.” People call this sport “ice hockey” in other countries to differentiate it from field hockey. Even though hockey is the most popular in the Northern areas of America, it is also catching on in the southern areas.
5. Soccer
Soccer is arguably one of the most popular sports worldwide, especially in Europe. While soccer is not as popular in the U.S. as in Europe, its fan base expands yearly. The US women’s soccer team is currently one of the best in the world. In the future, U.S. soccer may become as popular as European soccer.
6. Tennis
With talented athletes such as Serena Williams and Jimmy Connors, it’s no wonder that Americans love to watch tennis. This is one of the many single-player sports on this list, but players can also pair up to form a team. Tennis matches are fun to watch on television and in person, and American players have been remarkably successful in this sport throughout the years.
7. Golf
Although golf may look easy, it takes skill and years of training and experience to succeed. Without a doubt, Tiger Woods is the most famous U.S. golfer to this day. Golf is a classic sport that originated around the 15th century and is an individual sport like tennis. That means a single player competes against another instead of two teams competing against each other.
8. UFC
UFC fighting is a jaw-dropping display of power, skill, and even some drama. It’s a loud, crazy, and awesome sport. With adrenaline pumping through your veins, you watch two fighters show off their mixed martial arts skills to bring the other down. According to the current rules, there are a few ways to win a UFC fight. A fighter must force his opponent to submit or knock him out to win a match. The referees or doctors can also end a fight if they decide that one fighter cannot continue or if a contestant makes an illegal move. The judges can also determine the winner if time runs out. UFC fighting can be a dangerous sport for the opponents, but it’s thrilling for those in the audience. The fighters battle within a netted cage to keep the audience safe and prevent them from interfering. UFC fighters who consistently win matches will likely become famous, wealthy, and respected. If you enjoy watching a loud, noisy, fun, and unruly sport, you’re going to enjoy UFC fighting.
9. Boxing
Boxing is one of the oldest sports known to man and is still prevalent in the U.S. today. Additionally, boxing is one of the highest-paying sports in the world. It is an individual sport, like wrestling. Unfortunately, boxing is not as popular as it once was in the U.S., but rising talent might be able to change that and attract new fans to the sport.
10. Car Racing
The final sport on our list is car racing or motorsports. If you think that motorsports don’t require as much physical effort as other sports, think again. Racecar drivers must endure intense g-force while controlling a vehicle moving at 200 mph. It’s physically and mentally taxing, not to mention dangerous! Currently, NASCAR is the most well-known organization for motorcar racing. With the loud sounds of revving engines and the sights of flashy, fast cars whizzing by, it’s no wonder that so many Americans love watching these races in-person.
And there you have it! That’s our list of the top 10 most popular sports in the U.S. today. Remember that these are not the only sports Americans enjoy; they are simply the most popular ones. Football is king in America, but that can change at any time. Whether you enjoy watching college or professional leagues, these well-known sports will provide hours of fun and entertainment. If you need more information about upcoming games for your favorite sport, buy some of our expert picks from PreGame.
