Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (2024)

With more than9 million active participantsand112 million TV views,American Football, or Gridiron, is truly the most loved and most played sport in the United States.Basketball, with more than25 million active participants, andBaseball, with more than23 million participants, also deserve their mentions among the most popular sports in America right now.

Here we are going to make the list of most popular sports, most-watched sports, most revenue-generating Sports, or most played sports in America. The list ofmost popular sports in Americawill tell you about Americans’ preference for sports.

Our source of information is the websites that are the Most Searched Sports or Most Browsed Sports in America. Don’t forget to comment below if you feel we didn’t include any popular sport.

Most Popular Sports In America | 2024 Updates

We have calculated the viewership and the total participation in particular sports while making our power ranking this year. So, here are the detailed stats of the most popular sports in the USA.

10. Badminton

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (1)

Badminton is one of the best and most amazing sports on the American sports list. Many people are playing this game just for entertainment, but at a competitive level, this game has no name.

Badminton is also an easy game that people can play anywhere and in any place. This game is primarily played in Universities, Colleges, and Schools.

It’s not a hugely popular sport in the United States, such as in China, Malaysia, Denmark, and Indonesia. But still, the 10th most popular sport in the country.

9. Motor Sports – America’s Favorite Sport

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (2)

Motor Sports, including auto-car and motorcycle racing, is the 9th sport on the list of most-watched sports in the USA. NASCAR is the most prominent organization in the USA, which organizes races in America.

Motor Sports is the 2nd most-watched sport after football on the American continent.

8. Wrestling | WWE – Highly Participated Sport

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (3)

Pro wrestling is the nextmost popular sport in the USA. The American people highly follow the wrestling organized under WWE.

John Cena, Undertaker, Stone Cold, and The Rock are some of the most popular WWE superstars in the USA in 2024.

7. Golf – Richest Sport in America

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (4)

Golf is the 7th most popular sport in the USA. Tiger Woods is arguably the most popular contemporary Golf figure in the United States.

Besides, he is also among the greatest golfers of all time, which made Americans very proud. Golf is also the 8th most popular sport in the world.

6. Tennis – Popular Sports USA 2024

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (5)

Tennis is the next sport on the list of most popular sports in America. This game is equally popular with men & women. The greatest tennis players of all time, like Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, and others, are the current inspirations for youngsters in America.

The United States has had a glorious record in tennis since Americans started participating in this sport.

5. Soccer/Football/Association Football (MLS)

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (6)

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. Soccer is the fifth most popular sport in America. However, soccer is not as popular as Football, Baseball, Basketball, and Ice-Hockey in America.

It still has enormous viewership and participation in soccer. After introducinggreat soccer players like David Beckham and Wayne Rooney, MLS has witnessed a sharp increase in viewership.

4. Ice Hockey (NHL) – Most Played Sport in America

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (7)

It is known as “hockey”; the name “ice hockey” is used in countries where “hockey” generally refers to field hockey. It is the 4th most popular sport in America. Hockey is most prevalent in areas of North America (particularly Canada and northern parts of the United States) and Europe.

In North America, the National Hockey League (NHL) is the highest level for men’s hockey and the most popular. America Won its first Gold Medal in Winters Olympics. With the introduction of artificial ice rinks, hockey has today become one of the most popular pastime indoor sports.

3. Basketball (NBA) – Most Watched Sport in the USA

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (8)

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the USA after Football & Baseball. Also, it is the 10th most followed sport in the world. Basketball competitions are organized by the National Basketball Association (NBA).

NBA has produced some greatest basketball players like Michael Jordan and LeBron James. And with an estimated 14,000 attendance per match, Basketball is the 3rd most popular sport in the United States.

2. Baseball (MLB) – Most Popular Sport in America

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (9)

Baseball is the 2nd most popular sport in America and the 7th most popular sport in the world. This sport is also known as the United State’s national pastime. In America, there are mainly two levels of baseball competition, minor league baseball and major league baseball (MLB).

The popularity of baseball has not just touched a great height in America but all over the world. A considerable number of the audience are now following baseball matches.

1. American Football (NFL) – Most Popular Sport in the USA

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (10)

American Football is the most popular sport in America. Football is also the 9th most popular sport all around the world. The biggest competition is organized by the National Football League (NFL). Football or Gridiron is More Popular in Southern areas of America, Like Texas, Florida, and California.

People of America are not just watching football in their homes. Fans are coming by the thousands to watch games in stadiums. In 2012 the league had an average attendance of 67,604 fans at each game. That is more than any other sports league in the world. Besides, this league now also houses some of the most handsome NFL players in 2024.

With the attraction of money and fame, football is the most popular sport in America. The list of highest-paid athletes in the world is mainly dominated by American football players. Nowadays, you can also watch Thursday Night Football from anywhere in the world and enjoy fast and high-quality streaming.

Bonus: Martial Arts (Honorable Mention)

The youngsters in America are developing an interest in martial arts. And that is why it has earned its place among the top 10 most popular sports in America.

Final Words

Feel free to leave a comment about this list of the Most Popular Sports in America. Let us know about its accuracy.

Most Popular Sports In The USA – Detailed Statistics – Top 5 In 2024

SportViewership %TV viewing record (Since 2005)Major professional leagueParticipantsNCAA DI Teams (Men + Women)States (HS)
American football38.8%111.9mNational Football League8.9 million249 (249M + 0W)50
Basketball15.3%30.8mNational Basketball Association24.4 million698 (351M + 349W)50
Baseball-Softball14.8%40.0mMajor League Baseball23.3 million589 (298M + 291W)48
Soccer8.2%27.3mMajor League Soccer13.6 million531 (205M + 332W)50
Ice hockey3.8%27.6mNational Hockey League3.1 million95 (59M + 36W)

15

MostPopular Sports in America – Infographics

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (11)

FAQs Regarding Popular Sports In The USA

Q. What is the most popular sport in the USA?

In the United States, American football is the most popular sport. Besides being the most popular, it is also the most-watched sport in America. The other famous sports are baseball, basketball, ice hockey, and soccer.

Q. What are the top five popular sports in America in 2022?

A lot of sports are played in the United States. But the top five most popular sports in America are football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer. According to the latest survey, the greatest percent of people stated that American football was their favorite sport.

Q. What is the most played and watched sport in the USA?

The most played sport in America is football; it took more than a century to become the most popular sport in America. The NFL is the biggest sports league and the most-watched league too. Specifically, Super Bowl is the most-watched sports event in America.

Q. Who is the highest-paid sportsman in America?

The NBA is the professional sports league with the highest player wages worldwide, with every player earning a decent amount of 8.32 million dollars every year. And Dak Prescott is the highest-paid sportsman with a net worth of $107.5 million.

Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America In 2024 | Viewership And TV Ratings (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular sport in the US 2024? ›

Most popular men's sports in the U.S. 2024

As of January 2024, professional football was the most popular men's live sport in the United States, with 70 percent of people watching it. Professional basketball came second with 40 percent of viewers.

What sport has the highest TV ratings in America? ›

Historically, the national sport has been baseball. However, in more recent decades, American football has been the most popular sport in terms of broadcast viewership audience.

Is Olympic viewership down in 2024? ›

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris drew a combined average of 30.6 million viewers across NBCU's constellation of platforms, marking an 82% jump in viewership compared to the Tokyo Games and making the Games the most-streamed Olympics of all time.

What are the 5 most popular sports in the US? ›

Among these, five sports stand at the top; football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer. While some teams are more popular than others millions of Americans attend sports venues around the country to root for their favorite sports teams each year.

What are the top 5 sports in the world 2024? ›

The 5 most popular sports in the world are association football (soccer), cricket, basketball, hockey, and rugby. Baseball, tennis, and golf also rank high on the list.

What is the fastest growing US sport? ›

Did you know? Pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in the USA for the third year in a row, was created as a “game for everyone.” The year is 1965.

Which sport is most watched on TV? ›

#1.

Indeed, the FIFA World Cup has taken over the hearts and minds of fans and non-fans from around the world. Even people who don't usually watch football, pay attention to the game during the World Cup. According to stats from 2023, the World Cup of football is, by far, the most watched sports event in the world.

What sports do Americans watch most? ›

The top 5 sports are American Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, and Ice Hockey. These sports draw 12-15 million of fans and generate significant economic impact.

Which sport has highest TV rights? ›

Top Sports with the Most Expensive Broadcast Rights
  1. National Football League (NFL) The National Football League (NFL) in the United States holds the record for the most expensive broadcast rights. ...
  2. English Premier League (EPL) ...
  3. Indian Premier League (IPL) ...
  4. National Basketball Association (NBA) ...
  5. Major League Baseball (MLB)
Jul 31, 2024

Which sport will be dropped from the 2024 Olympics? ›

A total of four sports will make their return to the Olympics, including baseball and softball, which will return after being on hiatus during the 2024 Paris Games.

What 4 sports will be added to the 2024 Olympic Games? ›

While skateboarding, climbing and surfing were added permanently, and made a glorious return in Paris 2024, two were temporary - karate and baseball. And now, as the Paris Games wind down, the stage is already set for the next ones- in Los Angeles in 2028.

What sport changes in 2024 Olympics? ›

Breaking makes its Olympic debut, while surfing and skateboarding return for their second Games along with sport climbing and 3x3 basketball.

What are the big 5 sports in the US? ›

  • American football (NFL) Sorry, soccer (or association football)! ...
  • Baseball (MLB) ...
  • Basketball (NBA) ...
  • Ice hockey (NHL) ...
  • Soccer (MLS)

What is America's number one sport? ›

American football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in America. From the National Football League (NFL) Draft to the Superbowl, football brings in over 100 million annual television viewers.

What is the most popular sport in China? ›

Basketball is commonly regarded as the most beloved sport with a fan base of 625 million, 26 percent of which would stream basketball matches at least every other day. Soccer is another favorite ball game in China.

What is the most sold sports game in 2024? ›

MLB The Show and Helldivers 2 were the top-selling games released in 2024. Many of the games that generated outsized revenues in Q2 were games-as-a-platform giants, established franchises, and sports releases. A game from the latter category, March's MLB The Show 24 snagged the top spot among games released this year.

What is the new sport in 2024? ›

Skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and breaking are four non-traditional sports that will be contested at the Paris Games. Breaking, also known as break dancing, is making its Olympic debut. Skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing all first appeared at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

What is the most popular sport in America over the years? ›

In three surveys in 1937, 1948, and 1960, baseball was most often named as Americans' favorite sport to watch. Football took over the top spot in two 1972 polls and has not given it up since then, with 38% mentioning it in January 1972 (with 19% saying baseball and 10% basketball).

Which sport is gaining in popularity in the US? ›

The 10 Most Popular Sports in America by Number of Participants
SportIncrease in Participation in Four Years
SportIncrease in Participation in Four Years
1Pickleball171.1%
2Alpine Touring115.0%
3Winter Fat Biking69.4%
22 more rows
Sep 27, 2023

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