Americans loves sport, and thousands turn out every week to cheer on their favorite teams. For many, it is a whole family event that includes food, sport and a good time together.
Like any other country, America has its favorite sports, although the number of people watching them has shifted over the years, and sports that previously had a small following are starting to become more popular.
Pro Football
Pro Football is the most popular sport in the USA with some 32% of Americans following an NFL team. This is a rise of 8% from 1985, and it continues to grow. Although the NFL and some of its star players have had some bad press over the last couple of years, the fans have remained loyal to the brand.
The biggest sports event of the year is the Super Bowl, which attracts millions of viewers from countries around the world. It also has one of the most famous half time entertainment segments of any sport.
Baseball
I don’t think anyone would be surprised to know that baseball was the next most popular sport in America. Although, the percentage of people following the sport has dwindled in recent years. In 1985, it demanded a 23% share of people following the game, however, in 2014 that number dropped to 16%.
One of the reasons may be because of the length of the games. They can run for some time, and this is thought to put off some spectators who like to have a fixed time limit. There is still a huge love of baseball, and with a little help, it can easily regain its popularity.
College Football
College football has always been a popular pastime for fans who watch the sport in their millions. It has consistently had 10% of the population following it since the 1980’s and has produced some famous athletes.
It has long been part of the American sports system with Athletes USA being one of the agencies helping young people from countries all over the world to get into the sport with the aid of scholarships.
Auto Racing
The world of auto racing has captured the imagination of people for many years. Nearly 7% of people regularly watch the racing which hit a high of 9% back in 2009. Although there has been a little drop since then, many still crowd into the stadiums to watch the high-speed action.
Movies such as Disney Pixar’s Cars is proof that there is still a lot of love and support for this sport, and organizers are trying to get the spark back into the world of auto racing.
Basketball
Over the years, Basketball has produced many sports stars, some going on to have parts in movies and TV shows. Its popularity has maintained a steady 6% over the past 30 years, and supporters are passionate about the clubs that support. Although it has had its share of problems, it remains a hugely entertaining sport.
In spite of the fact that other sports might be creeping up on the big American sports, there is evidence that many still like the traditional US games.
