Top 5 Most Popular Sports in America
As a whole, the American nation is a great lover of sport. Throughout history, it has played a big part in its culture. From a very young age, children are encouraged to participate in a range of different sporting ventures and sport is something that can bring a community together. Even if they don’t participate in a sport, millions of Americans are avid followers. With the introduction and advances in technology, it’s now possible to stream live games using a mobile device wherever you might be. Are you wondering what the most popular sports are in America? Here are the top 5, in no particular order.
Baseball
Many will argue that baseball is the most popular sport in America. Baseball popularity really began back in the early 20th century, and it’s not waned since. Look back through the history of the US, and you’ll see that baseball is the one sport that has shaped the nation. There are many different teams you can choose to support, but the New York Yankees seems to be the all-time favorite. The game is more popular amongst older sports fans, however, due to the length of the game.
Basketball
Basketball is another game that is part of American culture. It’s not just in America that the sport is watched. NBA games, for example, are watched all around the world. Michael Jordan is one name that made a big impact on the sport’s popularity. He is also responsible for making the NBA one of the most lucrative leagues in America. Perhaps one of the features of the game that make it so popular is that it can be played almost anywhere. All you need are a hoop and a ball. Compare that with baseball where you need a large field in which to play.
Football
In terms of popularity, most Americans will put football at the top of their list. The most anticipated game of the year is the Super Bowl, a game that is televised and broadcast all over the world. The most popular league is the NFL and sportsmen such as Joe Montana, Dan Marino, Brett Favre, and Tom Brady have become household names. The fact that this sport is a hard-hitting contact sport has possibly added to its popularity.
Ice Hockey
This game is more popular in Northern American states along with Canada. In these areas, there are artificial ice rinks that have been constructed, and it can be played all year round. It’s a fast-paced and exciting game to watch but there tend to be fewer fans of the sport because it can be very difficult to follow the action. One of the most well-known sporting arenas in America, Madison Square Garden is the home of the New York Rangers.
Soccer
Soccer hasn’t always been a popular sport in the US, although it is considered to be the most popular sport everywhere else in the world. Until that is the USA’s team enjoyed a good run in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. When David Beckham arrived in Los Angeles, it only served to increase its popularity even further. It’s never going to match football, but it does still have a place.
There are many other sports that are popular in America. For example, golf, table tennis, mixed martial arts, boxing, tennis and motor racing. However, the 5 mentioned above are the most popular and look to be staying that way long into the future.