In the US, most would be able to name football, baseball and basketball as the most popular sports among viewers.
But, take the view outside of the US, and consider participant sports. What tops the popularity list then? You may be surprised how many of them are court-based games.
Here are the Top 10 according to research by RealBuzz.com:
#1 Soccer/Football—It is estimated that 265 million people participate in soccer competitions. There are more than 5 million referees alone!
#2 Badminton—This one probably surprises you. It is especially popular in Asia, and 220 million people regularly participate in the sport.
#3 Field Hockey—Field hockey is a fast-paced sport that is played in 100 countries on 5 continents.
#4 Volleyball—Since it originated in America, we are more familiar with this sport. But, it has caught on and there are now 220 registered national federations across the globe.
#5 Basketball—From its American roots, basketball is now played in countries around the world.
#6 Tennis—Tennis is widely recognized as the most popular individual sport in the world. It is estimated that there are 60 million men and women who play it regularly. The doubles version is popular enough on its own to be #10 on this list.
#7 Cricket—We aren’t talking about bugs. Cricket is especially popular in the UK, Australia, Pakistan, India, and South Africa, but it is played in a total of 125 countries.
#8 Table Tennis—This indoor sport may not have as many international organizations behind it, but it is played across the globe in a variety of environments, including schools, social clubs, bars, and rec centers.
#9 Baseball—Another American invention, we are now sharing America’s pastime with 125 other nations.
#10 Golf—60 million people around the world play golf or visit a driving range at least once every year.