The United States is home to some of the best professional sports leagues on the planet. But which ones are the most popular across the country? Here are some of the most popular sports in the United States today.
Football (NFL)
There is no doubt about which sport is king in the United States. Moreover, football has grown to become the ninth most popular sport on the entire planet. The main difference versus other sports is that there is really only one major professional league – the National Football League.
The league, prior to COVID-19, was seeing over 70,000 fans on average for each game with millions more watching each game. Not to mention the fact that the Super Bowl, the league championship game, is one of the most watched events on television of the year.
Baseball (MLB)
Before the NFL became king, baseball – the sport known as America’s Pastime – reigned supreme. It is still more popular than ever before, with a far-reaching global presence. Part of what makes baseball popular is that, for six months straight, there are games every day.
That’s also part of the reason why the NFL has overtaken baseball. Games every day and the slower pace of the game have made it less exciting when stacked up against football.
Basketball (NBA)
The third of the “big four,” the NBA continues to grow behind its individual superstars. While baseball and football are bigger as sports, the NBA may have the most recognizable stars in all of sports. Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Michael Jordan are just some of the legendary figures to step onto the court.
Ice Hockey (NHL)
Once considered to be something of a step-child among the “big four,” hockey has been gaining popularity in the United States after being considered a more popular global game.
The National Hockey League in particular has gained traction, with a television deal worth billions. It is also unique in that there are a half-dozen Canadian-based teams, which is where the game was created.