What are the top five sports in America?

As a nation, Americans love their sport. Go to most countries around the world, and you will find that the biggest events are international showdowns, such as soccer World Cup events or perhaps grand slam tennis tournaments such as Wimbledon. Yet in the US, the most popular sports revolve around home grown games and leagues.

Here, we will count down the top five sports in the US, as calculated by the Ranker community.

5 – Soccer

The most popular sport on the planet is only number five within the US, although its popularity is steadily growing. Stars from the international game, including the likes of David Beckham and Ashley Cole, have raised the profile of teams like LA Galaxy with an international audience. Meanwhile, online betting sites such as the ones listed on https://www.thecasinodb.com/bonuses/new-bonuses have in turn brought European football betting possibilities to US gamblers.

4 – Hockey

NHL has always been seen as one of the “big four” sports in the US, but never as one of the top three. Hockey is fast paced, exciting and easy to understand, yet its popularity has never been quite as strong in the US as it is in Canada. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to it gaining wider appeal is the fact that it is seen as a “rich kids’ sport” due to the cost of getting kitted out. Compare that to soccer where all you need is a ball and a pair of jerseys for goalposts.

3 – Baseball

Once seen as the national game, there has been plenty of talk about the decline of baseball over recent years. Commentators are quick to remind us that MLB fans have the oldest average age of any sport, with more than half over the age of 50. At the same time, others tell us that the game is on the up and attracting more young enthusiasts than it ever has. One thing is for sure, it is in the nation’s blood and psyche with a history that is unlike any other sport.

2 – Basketball

If hockey is seen as an exclusive club, basketball has always been the game for the masses. This is another sport with global appeal – in fact, it is the second most popular sport in the world after soccer, and 200 nations competed for the basketball title in the last Olympic games. It is a game that anyone can play. Kids of every background and demographic love to get involved in street basketball, and the closely-related sport of netball is hugely popular among sportswomen.

1 – Football

No surprises here. NFL football has been the most popular sport in the USA for decades, and its appeal today is as strong as it has ever been. It is also the only US league that has really built a dedicated following outside North America. The recent NFL games in London have sold out to crowds of dedicated and knowledgeable fans, while the while the Superbowl is one of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar.