In this article we are going to talk about the 20 most popular sports in the world. If you’re a fan of adventure sports, be sure to also check out our list of the 20 most popular extreme sports in the United States.
While most of the games played today were created or finalized in their progression in the 19th and 20th centuries, our ancestors were already competing in primitive games as a means of pastime and entertainment. In the early days, games were about preparation for war or education. hunter, which is why many early games involved throwing spears, stakes, and stones, as well as one-on-one fights with opponents. Over time, gaming competitions have become more organized and are the most productive example of this revolution in organized gaming. It happened in ancient Greece, where the first Olympic Games were held in 776 BC.
Although the global sports industry is recently going through an era of great transformations, its general economic scenario presents a positive outlook. According to Research and Markets, the global sports market is expected to grow from $480. 12 billion in 2023 to $506. 93 billion in 2024, developing at a CAGR of 5. 6%.
This expansion can be attributed to a number of factors, including a physically powerful economic expansion in emerging markets, an increased number of broadcast media, the growing popularity of women’s sports, new real estate ventures, increased participation in social media and greater attention to fan data. as well as a resurgence of sports tourism, the development of the presence of sovereign budget and personal wealth, the progression of cellular fitness applications, etc.
Evidence of this expansion is also supported by the fact that team valuations have continued to rise, in both women’s and men’s sports. The NHL, NBA, and NFL all managed to break sales records last year. Meanwhile, the Deloitte Money League 2024 report revealed that the revenues of the 20 highest-earning European football clubs reached a record €10. 5 billion (about $11. 5 billion) in 2022/23, or 14% more than last year. well above. even their pre-pandemic levels. Surprisingly, the revenues of the 15 highest-earning women’s clubs in European football have also increased by as much as 61% in the 2022/23 season.
Live sporting events are traditionally known for attracting large audiences and subscribers, and their broadcasting rights play a vital role in shaping the sports economy as a whole. As sports media rights reach $30 billion in the United States this year, media corporations are facing increasing pressure to protect them in order to captivate audiences and maintain ad revenue.
In this regard, it announced last month that the NBA had reached a lucrative new rights deal with Disney, NBC and Amazon Prime Video, which will jointly pay $76 billion over a steady 11-year period. Shortly after that announcement, the WNBA also announced its own 11-year media rights partnerships with the aforementioned companies, under which the league will pocket approximately $200 million per year.
This new NBA deal is worth more than three times the existing deal and shows how the sport’s growing popularity has a difficult appeal for media corporations looking to expand their premium audience. However, the extent of a sport’s popularity isn’t the only thing that determines how much profit it generates.
For example, cricket is a very popular game with a much larger fan base than American football. However, the Indian Premier League (the world’s largest cricket league) generates particularly lower streaming revenues than the NFL. In 2022, the IPL signed its final television and media rights deal for its 2023-2027 cycle for around $6. 2 billion. While this is a huge number that equates to a consistent per-game profit of $15. 1 million, it is still far behind the NFL, which is estimated to average $36 million per game on its NFL contract. 11 years (2022-2033) are worth $15. 1 million. estimated at $113 billion, according to Forbes. Hundreds of millions of Indians would probably be checking on their phones to see who will win today’s cricket match, but the benefit to viewers is minor. In short, the main explanation for this is that the NFL has the largest percentage of its target audience in the United States of America, the largest economy in the world, while the IPL is basically enjoyed through the Indian audience, who still It is considered a rising economy. As countries like India develop, games that are highly sought after there are also expected to earn more through advertising, streaming, merchandise, game betting, etc.
The United States is one of the most sensible gambling countries in the world and sports are a favorite activity for Americans, especially after a landmark 2018 Supreme Court ruling that paved the way for states to legalize them.
According to the American Gaming Association, Americans wagered a record $119. 84 billion on sports betting in 2023, up 27. 5% from last year. As a result, the sports betting industry’s profits also reached $10. 92 billion, a year-on-year increase of 44. 5%. since 2022. The growth is largely due to the continued maturation of most existing markets, as well as several new markets, namely Massachusetts and Ohio. The trend is expected to continue, as profits from advertising sports betting have already reached $5. 72 billion through May 2024, surpassing the same time last year by 24. 5%. This accumulation of profits was also reflected in the sector’s stocks.
DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG) is a daily fantasy sports betting and contest company. The Boston-founded company allows users to participate in daily and weekly fantasy sports-related contests and win cash based on individual player performance in American sports. . DKNG posted a profit of $1. 1 billion in the second quarter of 2024, representing a year-over-year expansion of 26% and adjusted EBITDA of $128 million. The profit accumulation was mainly due to continued healthy visitor engagement, effective acquisition of new visitors, and expansion. of sports betting product reaching new markets, a higher structural percentage of sports betting ownership and the effect of the Jackpocket acquisition. As a result, DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG) has revised its fiscal 2024 earnings guidance to a range of $5. 05 billion to $5. 25 billion, from a range of $4. 8 billion to $5. 0 billion. million, which is equivalent to an annual expansion of 38% to 43%.
On July 30, 2024, the company’s board of directors also legalized a repurchase of up to $1 billion in Class A common stock, “reflecting its confidence in its strong business track record and its expectation of generating significant loose cash in 2024. “the years to come. ” Following the launch of its sports betting product in Washington D. C. last month, DKNG now offers mobile sports betting in 25 states and the capital, which together account for about 49% of the country’s total population.
DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ:D KNG) was also recently included on our list of the hottest stocks to buy according to hedge funds.
Genius Sports Limited (NYSE:GENI) is a sports knowledge and generation company that provides knowledge management, video streaming and integrity to sports leagues, bookmakers and media companies. The London-based company employs approximately 1,800 people across five continents, with headquarters in Sofia, Vilnius, Tallinn, New York, Medellin, Los Angeles, and more. GENI recently reported solid second-quarter earnings, beating market expectations, with an organization profit of $95 million and adjusted EBITDA of $21 million. Genius Sports Limited’s (NYSE: GENI) sports betting segment posted sales growth of 18% to $67. 1 million in its largest operating division, while two other divisions, media and sports generation, saw a decline in sales. The company remains positive and forecasts 20% annual growth in the near future, driven by its exclusive, multi-year data rights on the English Premier League and NFL.
Genius Sports Limited (NYSE:GENI) is one of the device learning stocks according to analysts.
Recent volatility in global markets has also taken its toll on sports stocks, as the Sportico sports stock index, a basket of 40 stocks that rely on sports for a significant portion of their growth, also closed down 3% on Aug. 5 at 1,113. a minimum of three months. All stocks in the sports index closed lower on the day, adding large-share sports stocks such as Manchester United plc (NYSE: MANU) and Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS).
Manchester United is among the most valuable football clubs in the world, however, Manchester United plc (NYSE: MANU) shares have seen a 16. 8% drop since the beginning of the year. The prestigious club was the subject of much takeover speculation earlier this year. , with a Qatari consortium led by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani and Jim Ratcliffe as the main candidates. The sheikh’s offer was liked by investors, since he intended to take over one hundred percent of the club, and also with a possible repurchase of the indexed shares. For perspective, the stock rose, reaching highs of around $27. However, this deal fell through and eventually 28% ownership of the club was sold to Jim Ratcliffe, which meant very little to retail investors. . As a result, Manchester United plc (NYSE: MANU) shares plummeted to a 17-month low in March when the hedge budget ended its activity due to JR paying the highest value in history for the shares of the beloved football club.
Also part of the Sportico Index, Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS) includes some of the most popular sports teams in the world, including the New York Knicks and New York Rangers. The New York-based company had a strong third quarter of 2024, ending March 31, with cash inflows of $430 million, up 12% year-over-year and beating estimates of $9. 26 million . dollars. The higher-than-expected cash revenue can be attributed to higher cash pricing on tickets, cash on suites, and food, beverage and merchandise sales, as well as higher local media rights fees. Additionally, the New York Knicks played five more home games compared to last season, which was a major contributor to the profit increase. However, the net cash supply fell to $37. 9 million, below the estimate of $62. 04 million and down 27. 7% from the same quarter last year. This is primarily due to higher costs, driven by higher pay for team personnel and provisions for league cash sharing and the NBA’s luxury tax.
The growing fan base and growing popularity of the Knicks and Rangers will help Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS) to continue to grow. The season ticket renewal initiative for the 2024-25 season has already shown massive demand, indicating strong fan engagement and long-term revenue stability.
That said, here are the top sports in the world.
To gather information for this article, we consulted internet sites such as WorldAtlas, Forbes, Sports Brief, etc. , to find out the most popular sports globally in 2024. The following sports have been ranked by the length of their fan base across the world. . , as estimated through the aforementioned internet sites. When two or more sports had the same estimated number of fans, we ranked them based on overall attendance at their events in 2023.
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Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: one hundred million
The immense popularity of athletics has been highlighted by the Summer Olympics that have recently been held in Paris. Classified as a first-class sport by the IOC, modern athletics is made up of running, jumping, throwing, walking and combined events.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: millions
Although bowling had its heyday in the mid-1960s, the game has experienced a notable resurgence in the trendy times, specifically in the United States. With more than one million members, the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) sets the criteria for leagues, tournaments, and competitions across the country.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: millions
Cycling is no longer just a popular means of transgaming, but also a highly competitive game in itself. The famous Tour de France is among the most-watched gaming events in the world, with the 2023 edition of the iconic race attracting a total TV of 42. 5. million audiences for the national public service broadcasting France Télévisions.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 270 million
Extremely fast and physically demanding, handball is one of the most popular team sports in Europe. In Germany, the women’s edition of the game has recently managed to gain well-deserved visibility, following the announcement that public broadcasters ARD and ZDF have decided to buy the rights to the Women’s EURO at the same time as the men’s festival Array.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: three hundred million
Despite being one of the toughest sports in the world, MMA has reached a whole new level in terms of enthusiasts and committed athletes. The UFC’s television rights deal with ESPN, its official broadcast partner in the United States, spans seven years and amounts to a whopping $300 million per year.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 410 million
Football continues to be the favorite of American sports entertainment, as according to a Gallup poll, 41% of American adults at the end of 2023 named football as their favorite sport. The National Retail Federation’s most recent knowledge that the 2024 Super Bowl generated a record $17. 3 billion in customer completion nationwide.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 440 million
Popular with others of all ages and skill levels, golf has grown enormously over the past two decades, thanks to primary sponsorship deals and superstar players like Tiger Woods. It was recently reported that CBS’ policy on the PGA Championship in May attracted 4. 958 million viewers. , 10% more than last year.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 450 million
Boxing is now more popular than it has been in a long time, with a new generation of younger audience willingly taking an interest in the sport, thanks to the increasing participation of influencers on social media.
One of the most popular games According to Reddit, boxing had the highest payout of all games in 2017 when Floyd Mayweather beat Conor McGregor and collected $275 million in one night. In the fight, Mayweather also surpassed $1 billion in total career earnings. On the other hand, he took home about 100 million dollars despite his loss.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 450 million
Basketball continues to reach new heights in terms of popularity around the world, as according to FIBA, there are now around 450 million international players and enthusiasts competing, watching or playing this exciting sport.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 475 million
Often referred to as a “gentleman’s game of bullies”, global participation in rugby is increasing, with a significant increase of 11% in 2023, to 8. 46 million players. In March it was announced that Premiership Rugby had reached a new television deal. with TNT Sports for the 2024-2025 season, giving the broadcaster the right to broadcast all 93 matches of England’s most sensible flight.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 500 million
Formula 1’s footprint is growing rapidly: overall attendance at F1 events reached a record 6. 15 million in 2023. Part of this explosion in popularity can be attributed to Netflix’s Drive to Survive screen, which helped funnel a new generation of enthusiasts into the widely acclaimed sport.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 500 million
Next on our list of the top 10 most sensible sports in the world is baseball which, thanks to its timeless appeal and suspense strategy, still attracts and entertains millions of enthusiasts around the world. From 1901 to 2023, MLB recorded an impressive global attendance of 3,836,958,360, according to Forbes.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 825 million
Swimming can be a fun afternoon activity for some people, while others see it as a competitive game that requires immense strength and endurance. The game continues to draw crowds at the Olympics, and Michael Phelps is a well-known draw in the United States.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 850 million
In China, table tennis has been played with devout sincerity since at least the 1950s, when Chairman Mao declared it the national game. It is a game played by other people of all ages, requires a small playing space and affordable gadgets, and can be played indoors in all weather conditions.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 900 million
Originating in the United States, volleyball spread like wildfire after American infantrymen took it overseas during World War II. Today, this social game is played by approximately 46 million people in the United States, and in the 2022-23 season, the USA Volleyball club grew. going from 9. 6% to 408,000.
Estimated number of enthusiasts worldwide: 1 billion
Although it has long been touted as a niche game played primarily among the wealthy, tennis’ popularity has reached new heights with the advent of live and in-play betting. The WTA had a normal season in 2023, achieving a new global audience record of over one billion.
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Returns since its inception in May 2014 (until May 20, 2024)
Warren Buffett
Berkshire Hathaway
$293,447,417,000
David Einhorn
Capital Light
$1,491,303,000
George Soros
Soros Fund Management
$5,416,602,000
Jim Simons
Renaissance technologies
$77,426,184,000
Leon Cooperman
Omega Advisors
$1,886,381,000
Carl Icahn
Icahn Capital LP
$22,521,664,000
Steve Cohen
Asset Management Point72
$22,767,998,000
John Paulson
Paulson & Cie
$3,510,256,000
David Tepper
Appaloosa Management LP
$4,198,712,000
Paul Tudor Jones
Tudor Investment Corp.
$6,160,740,000
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