American Pastimes
Sports have long been a pillar of American culture, and millions of fans worldwide enjoy American sports. In America, fans unite in stadiums and around televisions to cheer on their teams and favorite players to victory, a part of the American social life, unlike any other aspect of American culture.
But what are the most popular sports in the USA? We’ve rounded up the top 20 sports in America in 2023.
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1. Football
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. In addition to being the biggest sport in America, it’s the 9th most popular sport worldwide.
2. Basketball
Second only to football in America is basketball. For over a century, basketball has captivated fans from collegiate to professional levels. The annual NCAA March Madness averaged 8.68 million viewers in 2023, while the NBA averaged 1.6 million.
3. Baseball
Known as America’s favorite pastime, baseball is the third most popular sport in America. Major League Baseball (MLB) brought in an average of 96,000 viewers per game in 2022, and the 2022 World Series topped all primetime television for the seventh straight year, averaging 12,023,000 viewers.
4. Soccer
One of the most popular sports in the world, soccer, is America’s fourth most popular sport. Major League Soccer (MLS) averaged 309,000 viewers for the 2022 season, but the sport’s popularity extends well beyond the MLS.
5. Hockey
Ice hockey is another popular sport in America, enjoyed by fans at the collegiate, semi-professional, and professional levels, the National Hockey League (NHL). The NHL Stanley Cup garnered an average of 4.6 million viewers in 2022.
6. Tennis
Tennis, the sixth most popular sport in America, has increased in popularity in recent years. Much of this can be attributed to the rise of American tennis athletes dominated on the global tennis scene, making players like Serena Williams and Andre Agassi some of the biggest names in sports.
7. Golf
Golf is one sport in America that fans enjoy both as players and spectators. Many Americans head out for a round of golf for leisure, and players like Tiger Woods helped bring the sport’s popularity to its current status.
8. Boxing
Boxing is a fan favorite for attending in person or tuning in on television and streaming services. An average of 8,000 people attend each event.
9. Motorsports
Racing and motorsports are quite popular in the USA. Leagues like NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula One, and MotoGP have been pinnacles for the rise in motorsport’s popularity.
10. Wrestling
Professional wrestling is one of America’s most-watched sports. The WWE, in particular, has brought millions of fans and viewers to the sport and catapulted several professionals to careers in Hollywood.
11. Badminton
Badminton is among the most popular sports at American schools and universities. Its simplicity and non-competitive nature invite players of all skill levels to enjoy it.
12. Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and its popularity in America has skyrocketed in the last decade.
13. Volleyball
Volleyball is another popular sport in America at collegiate and professional levels, with participation at the high school level continuing to increase every year.
14. Rugby
Originating in England, rugby’s popularity in America is on the rise. Participation in the sport grew by one million people between 2006 and 2018.
15. Lacrosse
Lacrosse is quickly becoming one of the favorite sports in America to participate in, and it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the USA. Participation has risen from 250,000 in 2011 to a whopping 830,000 in 2018.
16. Bowling
Bowling is another favorite sport for leisure in America, but it also has quite a professional following. The most prominent competitive bowling organization in the world is the US Bowling Congress.
17. Cricket
Another sport that originated in England, cricket, has become quite popular in America. Major League Cricket will officially begin on July 13, 2023, with six US teams.
18. BMX
Starting in California in the 1970s, BMX biking has become quite a popular sport in America. Around 3 million people participate in the sport every year.
19. Field Hockey
Not to be confused with ice hockey, field hockey’s popularity is rising in the US. It’s predominately played by women in the eastern United States.
20. Bocce
It may surprise you to find bocce on the list of America’s top 20 most popular sports. Still, bocce has become increasingly popular for such a relatively new sport. An estimated 25 million Americans play it annually.
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The King of Sports: Why American Football Continues to Reign Supreme
Since 1972, football has been America’s favorite sport. 37% of adults in the USA say it is their favorite sport to watch. In the early 2000s, football’s popularity dropped slightly. However, it remains the king of American sports, surpassing basketball and baseball by a large margin.
The Rise of Women’s Sports in America: Trends, Statistics, and Achievements
While men have primarily dominated American sports, women’s sports are also gaining popularity. More women and girls are playing sports, closing the gap between men and women in sports. In fact, some of the most recognizable names in sports are professional female athletes, like Sue Bird, Simone Biles, Mia Hamm, Megan Rapione, and Serena Williams. The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) has also risen in popularity in recent years, bringing in an average of 372,000 viewers on ESPN, more than Major League Soccer. The National Women’s soccer team is also increasingly popular among viewers, with the Women’s World Cup breaking viewership records. In addition, field hockey has been a historically female-dominated sport in America.
The Importance of Lighting in Sports
Lighting plays a critical role in sports at all levels. Many games and matches occur after dark and in indoor facilities, driving the necessity for well-lit playing spaces. When the lighting is correct, it makes playing the sport safer for the players and more enjoyable to watch for spectators. In addition, good lighting ensures referees can see all the plays properly so they make the correct calls, and fewer mistakes will be made by the players when they can see well.
Talk To an AEON Lighting Specialist Today
When it comes to lighting for sports, AEON LED gives you quality, low-maintenance, customized solutions, helping you save money and time.
Contact us to request a lighting layout designed for your venue space and needs.
I'm a seasoned sports enthusiast with a wealth of knowledge spanning various disciplines, including American sports, their historical context, and the current trends shaping the landscape. My extensive engagement with sports-related content, statistics, and events allows me to offer a comprehensive overview of the concepts covered in the provided article on the top 20 most popular sports in America in 2023.
1. Football: American football, particularly the National Football League (NFL), stands as the undisputed king of American sports. Its massive viewership, highlighted by the annual NFL Draft and the Super Bowl, solidifies its position as the most-watched sport in the country, with over 100 million annual television viewers.
2. Basketball: Basketball follows closely behind football, captivating fans from collegiate to professional levels. The article mentions key events like the NCAA March Madness and the NBA's average viewership, providing insights into the sport's enduring popularity.
3. Baseball: Known as America's favorite pastime, baseball ranks third in popularity. Major League Baseball (MLB) attracts significant viewership, with the World Series consistently dominating primetime television.
4. Soccer: Despite its global dominance, soccer holds the fourth spot in the USA. Major League Soccer (MLS) serves as a focal point, and the article emphasizes soccer's popularity extending beyond MLS.
5. Hockey: Ice hockey, particularly the National Hockey League (NHL), enjoys a substantial following in America. The NHL Stanley Cup's average viewership in 2022 further highlights the sport's prominence.
6. Tennis: The rise in popularity of tennis in America is attributed to global success, with players like Serena Williams and Andre Agassi becoming household names.
7. Golf: Golf's appeal in America is explored, mentioning the leisurely enjoyment of the sport by both players and spectators, with notable figures like Tiger Woods contributing to its popularity.
8. Boxing: Boxing, a perennial favorite for live attendance and televised events, draws attention with an average of 8,000 attendees per event.
9. Motorsports: The article touches on the popularity of racing and motorsports in the USA, featuring prominent leagues like NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula One, and MotoGP.
10. Wrestling: Professional wrestling, particularly WWE, stands out as one of America's most-watched sports, with millions of fans and notable crossovers to Hollywood careers.
The article goes on to cover a diverse range of sports, including Badminton, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Volleyball, Rugby, Lacrosse, Bowling, Cricket, BMX, Field Hockey, and Bocce. Each sport is contextualized with relevant statistics, participation trends, and key details that contribute to their standing in American sports culture.
Additionally, the article touches on broader themes such as the continued dominance of American football, the rise of women's sports, and the increasing popularity of historically female-dominated sports like field hockey. It also introduces the significance of lighting in sports, emphasizing the role of well-lit playing spaces for safety, enjoyment, and accurate officiating. The connection between lighting and sports is further illustrated through a call to action from AEON LED, emphasizing their role in providing quality lighting solutions for sports venues.
