Sports are not only for fun; they bring together millions of people across the world, making them proud. Each game has its uniqueness and a large number of supporters, as seen in football/soccer and cricket, among other sports. Fans who are wondering what the top 20 sports in the world are? We will be exploring the top 20 sports in the world in 2023.
World’s Top 20 Most Popular Sport in 2024:
In 2024, sports continue to captivate audiences worldwide, bringing together people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Here’s a look at the top 20 sports in the world:
Boxing
According to estimates, boxing is one of the top 20 sports in the world in 2023 and can boast an audience of as many as four and three-quarters billion people, the highest of any sporting event globally. It involves intense bouts of attacking and defending with fists that enthrall crowds globally. Check Mike Tyson’s career history in boxing.
Famous Player:
Muhammad Ali is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Football/Soccer
There are around 3-5 billion football fans worldwide, leading to top 20 sports in the world 2023 that include people from different continents supporting their favourite football team in a crowded stadium or watching games from home.
Famous Player:
Pelé is hailed as the greatest footballer of all time. Pelé mesmerized audiences with his skill and goal-scoring prowess.
Cricket
Cricket, which is among the top 20 sports in the world 2023, has billions of fans, with an estimated 2.5 billion persons following it, mainly in countries such as India, Pakistan, and England. This includes captivating moments in cricket ranging from Test Matches to T20 tournaments that are watched across the globe by billions of people who think about the top 20 sports in the world.
Famous Player
Sachin Tendulkar Known as the Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar is one of cricket’s greatest batsmen.
Ice Hockey
Ice hockey, having gained almost two billion followers all over the globe, is now played at a fast rate and, therefore, become competitive at any level. The US, Canada, and Russia have continuously been acknowledged for their strong traditions of playing hockey at the highest possible level while winning national championships within their own countries and constantly being world powers.
Famous Player
Wayne Gretzky is widely regarded as the greatest ice hockey player in history.
Field Hockey
Field hockey is among one of the top 20 sports in the world 2022. Two billion people benefit from this sport; they play on grass or turf fields together, combining speed with cooperation. Nations like Germany and the Netherlands are leading this game.
Famous Player
Dhyan Chand is considered one of the greatest field hockey players of all time.
Tennis
Tennis is a racket sport played individually or in doubles. From the Wimbledon Championships to the US Open, Tennis tournaments attract millions of viewers worldwide. It is one of the top 20 sports in the world in 2023, with 1 billion fans.
Famous Players
Serena Williams is one of history’s most dominant and successful tennis players.
Volleyball
Volleyball boasts 900 million fans and is played and enjoyed across continents. Whether indoor or beach volleyball, this sport showcases athleticism and teamwork at its finest.
Famous Player
Karch Kiraly is widely regarded as one of the greatest volleyball players of all time.
Badminton
Badminton, one of the top 20 sports in the world 2023, has 709 million fans. It is a popular racquet sport known for its fast-paced rallies and precision shots. Countries like China and Indonesia dominate the world stage in badminton competitions.
Famous Player
Lin Dan, also known as Super Dan, is a legendary badminton player from China.
Lacrosse
Lacrosse, with 674 million fans, is a rapidly growing sport that originated in North America. Known as the fastest game on two feet, lacrosse combines speed, skill, and physicality and is one of the top 20 sports in the world in 2023.
Famous Player
Jim Brown’s athleticism and dominance on the lacrosse field earned him recognition as one of the sport’s greatest players.
Baseball
One of America’s favorite pastimes is baseball, and also a part of the top 20 sports in the world 2022 roots go back to the 19th century. There are loyal fans of Major League Baseball (MLB) worldwide, just as there are for teams like New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.
Famous Player
Babe Ruth: Often referred to as the Sultan of Swat, Babe Ruth is synonymous with baseball greatness.
Formula 1/Grand Prix Racing
There are 500 million followers of Formula 1 racing around the world, and its races can be held in famous locations all over the globe. Formula 1 is a showcase of advanced technology and high-speed competition from Monaco to Singapore, making it one of the top 20 sports in the world in 2022.
Famous Player
Michael Schumacher: Michael Schumacher is widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time.
Rugby
Rugby is a physically demanding sport with about 475 million fans worldwide. It is known for its hard hits and strategic gameplay. The most powerful countries in rugby include New Zealand, England, and South Africa.
Famous Player
Jonah Lomu was a rugby union player from New Zealand whose extraordinary size, speed, and power revolutionized the sport
Golf
Golf, one of the top 20 sports in the world in 2023, is played on beautifully manicured grassy courses. It requires precision and patience. This game has its fair share of fans, making it one of the most popular sports in the world, with at least 450 million followers. Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus have left an indelible mark on golf as legends.
Famous Player
Tiger Woods is one of the most successful and recognizable golfers of all time.
American Football
The numbers show that American football has around four hundred ten million followers who enjoy this contact sport inside and outside America. The NFL Super Bowl is one of the events with the most popular teams and highest-paid coaches, and not many people miss watching it across continents.
Famous Player
Tom Brady is widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks in American football history.
Basketball
Basketball is a quick game with a lot of dunking so exciting; therefore, up to four hundred million people follow it today while also involved in making buzzer-beater shots at times during play, which makes it even more enjoyable for them now also features the NBA being among top basketball league globally that showcases the best NBA players across nations globally.
Famous Player
Michael Jordan is often considered the greatest basketball player of all time.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Martial arts fight sport, MMA, with 300 million supporters, combines various martial arts disciplines in a dynamic and explosive way. Fans all over the world are captivated by fighters like Conor McGregor and Amanda Nunes, and are known as one of the top 20 sports in the world 2022.
Famous Player
Anderson Silva is a Brazilian mixed martial artist widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history.
Handball
Handball is an indoor, fast-paced sport with 270 million fans that requires speed, agility, and teamwork. Countries in Europe, such as Germany and France, excel at international handball competitions.
Famous Player
Nikola Karabatić is a French handball player regarded as one of the sport’s greatest of all time.
Cycling
As we list down the answers to the question of what are the top 20 sports in the world in 2022, cycling is definitely the answer. Cycling has also been mentioned to have approximately 150 million followers due to its numerous road racing disciplines, including mountain biking. Many people globally view the Tour de France as cycling’s most prestigious event among many other people’s watching.
Famous Player
Eddy Merckx is considered one of the greatest cyclists of all time.
Bowling
Bowling is enjoyed by individuals of all ages, whether they are having fun playing it with their friends or it is a professional tournament. But even with these figures, bowling still has 120 million supporters who love this slow but sometimes competitive game.
Famous Player
Earl Anthony is often regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of the sport.
Athletics
The last group of sports is Athletics, which has about 100 million fans following different events on the track, like sprints, jumps, and throws made from different materials. This global sporting activity features the best athletes in the world at one stage, the Olympic Games, and can easily be considered one of the top 20 sports in the world 2022.
Famous Player
Usain Bolt, who is one of the top ten greatest athletes in the world, is widely regarded as the greatest sprinter of all time in the sport.
Conclusion:
In summary, the top 20 sports in the world have no boundaries when it comes to uniting people from diverse backgrounds hence promoting unity amongst them regardless of where they come from. From football thrills through tennis graces to matches’ ecstasy, sports continue to inspire and enthrall audiences across the globe. Top 20 sports have been answered for the people who wonder what are the top 20 sports in the world.