America has something for their touchdowns that we would never understand. Sports is a very essential part of American Culture, and you will find the stadium filled with people who might have retired from the sports world, or just a fan or someone who aspires to become the next best player.
This article covers the most popular sports in America. So, if you are just here out of curiosity to know what their popular sports are or if you are a die-hard follower of American sports, you have come to the right place. Even if you are new to the world of sports, you should know that each sport has a breakdown of its own, and let’s get on with the most popular sports America has.
Top 10 Most Popular Sports In America
It is best to get to the actual topic without any further ado, depending on the ones that are played most and watched most.
American Football
Championship/Major Leagues: NCAA and NFL
Notable Athletes: Deion Sanders, Jim Brown, Jo Montana, Jerry Rice, Walter Payton, Tom Brady
American Football is undoubtedly a team sport where two teams come against one another, each team with eleven players aims at scoring more than the team on their opposite with a limited span of time.
American football has originally evolved from soccer and rugby and is now played at different levels, like professional, high school level, and school level. This is the most popular sport in America.
Basketball
Championship/Major Leagues: NBA
Notable Athletes: LeBron James, Shaquille O’Neal, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Basketball originated in the US back in the 19th Century and is among the most watched sports in America. This one also requires two teams, each with five members. The main objective of the game is to pass the ball through the hoop of the opposite team.
This sport became popular after World War II and after cable TV was invented. The game is governed by the NBA or the National Basketball Association and has been the topic of varies TV series and movies all over the world.
Baseball
Championship/Major Leagues: MLB
Notable Athletes: Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Bo Jackson, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle
This is, without a doubt, a popular sport in America, but not like baseball and football. Played between two teams requires a bat and ball and is a major part of America’s childhood. This has somehow earned the title of being America’s national pastime.
Soccer
Championship/Major Leagues: MLS
Notable Athletes: Michael Bradley, Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Christian Pulisic
Soccer is what the whole world knows as football. It is played between two teams, each with eleven members, and a team can win by scoring one more goal than the other team.
Soccer has been an important part of America’s sports culture since the US hosted the FIFA World Cup back in 1994 and the FIFA Women’s Cup in 1999. Back in 2017, it was reported that soccer was the third-most watched sport in America.
Ice Hockey
Championship/Major Leagues: NHL
Notable Athletes: Mike Mandano, Brian Leetch, Patrick Kane, Chris Chelios, Auston Matthews
Ice Hockey is the same as normal hockey, but it is played on ice. With the help of the stick, they pass and push the ball overshoot the puck around while skating the whole time. When the team successfully shoots the puck into the net of the opposite team, they score points. Ice hockey is also among the most popular sports in America.
Tennis
Championship/Major Leagues: MLTT
Notable Athletes: Billie Jean King, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Venus Williams, Serena
The US built its first tennis court back in 1874. Since then, Tennis has become a part of America’s sports culture. This is played as a competitive as well as recreational sport in the country. The sport is played among two competitive teams, and each team has two players, and they take turns and hit the ball with their rackets to score points.
Golf
Championship/Major Leagues: The Majors
Notable Athletes: Sam Snead, Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Tom Watson
Golf is mostly believed to be a luxury sport, a sport for the rich and elite, but it is related to America’s sports world even before it was considered so. It is played by numerous Americans competitively as a pastime and is one of the most popular sports in America. The first golf court in America was built in 1888. The country has various famous golf courses like the Pinehurst Resort and Augusta National Golf Club.
Auto Racing
Championship/Major Leagues: NASCAR
Notable Athletes: Jeff Gordon, Mario Andretti, Jimmie Johnson, A.J. Foyt, Richard Petty
Auto racing is a motorsport where a number of automobiles race competitively. This is something that people from various parts of the country come to watch every year. The first auto racing happened in America back in 1895. The top sport takes place in events like Watkins Glen International and Daytona 500.
Bottom Line
American sports cover a huge arena, and in this article, we have traveled through the most popular sports in America. These sports have their very own way of keeping their audience entertained and enraged. From home runs to touchdowns, these sports have kept America engaged. It doesn’t matter if you are a basketball fan or have a love for soccer, it is the love for the sport that matters.
