Top And Most Popular Sports in USA

Table of Contents

Sports play an essential part in American society and culture. It has been around for centuries and is a social glue for cultural unity. Americans breathe and live sports, and they have many leagues to support. Some of the most popular us sports major leagues are NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and MLS.

American Football is one of the most famous sports in USA in terms of viewership. Then comes Baseball, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Soccer, Boxing, Tennis, and other sports over the years.

Let’s dive into the most popular sports in US:

American Football

The American Football League is the top sports in the US. It was founded in 1959 and is the most popular sport in America. The sport was invented in 1869 by Walter Camp by combining and altering Rugby’s elements and turning it into modern-day football. It is the biggest sport in the US, Canada, and many parts of the world. American football is the most-watched sport in the US, gaining 1.7 million viewers on TV in 2021. Thus, it secured a position as the most viewed sport in the world. American Football stands out from the rest of sports for sheer physicality, strategy, agility, etc, making it a thrilling experience for players and fans. Some of the most popular American Football players are Jerry Rice, Jim Brown, Tom Brady, Walter Payton, Deion Sanders, Joe Montana, and few others.

Baseball

Baseball is the second most popular sport in the US, with popularity in other nations, too. It is the 10th most followed sport in the world. Baseball is an art of physical strength combined with strategy, power, and patience. It is in two groups: Minor League Baseball and Major League Baseball. The teams are divided into the National League and American League, with three divisions: East, West, and Central. Baseball is the oldest professional league in the US and Canada played between two teams, nine players each. The most renowned players are Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Ted Williams, Bo Jackson and few others.

Basketball

Basketball is the third most-watched sport in the US, with a viewership of 26 million. Interestingly, 11% of Americans love Basketball. The NBA is the most prominent league in America. James Naismith, a college instructor, invented Basketball in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts. It gained its popularity post-WWII after the invention of cable. Basketball is an indoor game with two teams and five players each, and it played 82 game seasons from October to June.

Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and few others are famous basketball players in US.

Soccer

Football is known as soccer in America and the 4th most popular team sport in the US- ESPN. The first soccer game in the US was on October 11, 1866, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The sport is nearly as popular as baseball today and has gained its fan base after the FIFA World Cup held in 1994 and the Women’s FIFA World Cup in 1999. The United States Soccer Federation is for professional levels. The National Collegiate Athletic Association is for the college and school level, with the National Federation of State High School Associations setting the rules for this level. Soccer is the most watched sport in America, thus making its way to the top 5 most popular US sports. The most important players in Soccer are Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Michael Bradley, Christian Pulisic and many others.

Ice Hockey

Ice Hockey is the 5th most popular sport in us with the National Hockey League being one of the most popular hockey leagues. It was founded in 1894 in Baltimore, Maryland, gaining popularity in cold places, especially in the Northeast and Upper Midwest. When it comes to the fan base, it is pretty huge among the age group 18-45 years. The sport has two teams with 20 players- 18 skaters and two goalkeepers. The first hockey match ever played in the US was 1893 between Yale University and Johns Hopkins University. Since they won their first gold medal in the Winter Olympics, it has become one of the most popular indoor recreation sports in us. Some of the most famous ice hockey players are Mike Mandano, Patrick Kane, Chris Chelios, Brian Leetch, Auston Matthews and few others.

Boxing

Boxing has a special place in the hearts of the Americans. Over 33% of Americans love boxing, making it the 6th most popular sport in the USA. Despite coming from England in the 1700s, it produced the best boxers worldwide and dominated the Olympic championships. Boxing took root in America in the 1800s in New York, Boston, and Orleans. By the 19th century, it became the pride of America. The National Boxing Association is the oldest in the US. But today, it is known as the World Boxing Championship. The best boxers in the world are Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Ray Robinson, Joe Frazier, Floyd Mayweather, Joe Louis, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Rocky Marciano, Archie Moore and few others.

Golf

Unlike other sports, Golf has no evidence of its origin. However, it is believed that it originated in Scotland as the first mention of Golf appeared in the 1945 Act of the Scottish Parliament. It was not until the 19th century that the sport spread to the US and other places. It is considered to be an expensive game for the wealthy class. But today, it is one of the most popular sports in the US, with 25.6 million people playing Golf. It’s a game where players can be more in open green spaces, helping people improve their health. And it is not just that; it helps boost the country’s economy. The PGA Championship won the Ryder Cup in 1927- Europe and the US In Worcester, Massachusetts. The most important players in Golf are Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Tom Watson, Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, and few others.

Tennis

Tennis is a trendy sport among men and women. It was called a racket sport, now known as tennis. It was first played in the U.S. in 1874 in Nahant, Massachusetts. It is a competitive sport. The prestigious event is called the Grand Slam tournament, which is the U.S. Open. 4 main levels. The National Tennis League is a governing body. The United States Tennis Association started in 1881, and according to their sources, 33% of people have increased their interest in playing tennis. Today, it is one of the most popular sports us. Serena and Venus Williams, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Billie Jean King are some of the famous tennis players.

University Living is a global student housing provider that helps students find safe and secure accommodation near university campuses. Students can search, compare, and book value-for-money student housing based on their desired location, price, and other personal preferences.

View all stories