Top 10 most popular sports in the world as per participation
Football
According to the last global census which was undertaken by the sports governing body FIFA, it was estimated that there are 265 million people who play the sport along with almost 5 million referees, these numbers account to 4% of the worlds population. Be it just watching or even playing at junior levels, senior levels and for national side, the sport can be competitive and intense at the same time.
Badminton
Not many people must know this but badminton is the world’s top 10 most participated sports in the world. One of the most popular indoor sports, which is played on a regular basis by over 220 million people around the world. It is particularly popular mainly in the Asian continent.
Field Hockey
Played in over 100 countries and across 5 continents around the world. The sport is one of the favourites in the Olympic Games. Its technical and features 11 players at a time for a team. However, Ice Hockey and Field Hockey are completely poles apart.
Volleyball
Started by the American people, it is played by almost a billion people around the world. The game has two versions, indoor and outdoor and more than 220 affiliated national federations registered to volleyball’s global governing body the ‘FIVB’.
Basketball
450 million people have an eye on the sport, according to the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA). Players like Michael Jordan and Kobe Byrant, have aided the rise in global popularity of the sport from the American roots.
Tennis
The most popular of all at individual level in the globe, played by almost 60 million men and women around the world. Moreover, the doubles version of the sport is also extremely popular. Grand Slams like US Open, French Open, AO, Wimbledon are a global acclaim.
Cricket
The sport is dominated mainly by the Asian countries, mainly India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. Also, in countries like Australia, England and South Africa, the game is highly popular. However, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC) has identified that an impressive 125 countries around the world play the sport.
Table Tennis
The indoor game has become popular over the years. At clubs, schools, sports centers across the world. Topend Sports ranking also estimated 300 million people globally participate in TT (Table Tennis).
Baseball
Not much popular all over the world, regions in the North America enjoy the sport more often. Now, countries like Japan are also interested in the game and ‘Softball’ is supposedly the female version of the sport.
Golf
Perhaps the most popular pastimes in the world, as per Golf Today, 60 million people around the world regularly participate in the sport. More popular in the adult age and not in the youth majorily.