What is the Best Sport in the World? Here’s the Ultimate List

Have you ever wondered what is the best sport in the world is? The answer isn’t as simple as naming one game—it depends on what factors you value most. Some sports dominate with billions of fans worldwide, while others thrive through sponsorship revenue, digital engagement, or cultural heritage. Football (soccer) usually takes the crown as the best sport in the world, largely because of its enormous global fan base and the record-breaking viewership of events like the FIFA World Cup. But cricket, basketball, and other games are not far behind, each creating its own massive impact through legendary leagues, superstar athletes, and incredible fan loyalty.
When we ranked the top 10 sports in the world, we didn’t just look at one metric. Instead, we considered global popularity, social media presence, sponsorship money, and audience numbers for the biggest tournaments. These factors paint a clearer picture of how each sport performs globally and why certain games stay at the top.
So, if you’ve been searching for the ultimate breakdown of the top sports in the world, this guide will help you. Below, we explain how we ranked the list and present a detailed 10-to-1 table highlighting revenue, viewership, and major events. This way, you can finally decide for yourself what is the best sport in the world.

How We Ranked the Best Sports in the World

Determining what is the best sport in the world isn’t just about personal opinion—it’s about measurable impact. To create our ranking of the top 10 sports in the world, we analyzed multiple factors that reflect both popularity and cultural influence. Here’s how we built our methodology:

• Global Popularity – We measured the sport's widespread popularity across continents, including the number of registered players, fan bases, and countries where the game is considered a major activity. Football, for example, is played and followed in more than 200 nations, making it the clear leader in this category.
• Social Media Presence – Today, a sport’s digital footprint is crucial. We tracked how many millions of fans engage with athletes, clubs, and leagues across Instagram, TikTok, and X. This reflects not only reach but also long-term growth potential among younger audiences.
• Sponsorship & Revenue – The financial strength of a sport tells us how commercially sustainable it is. Sports like football, basketball, and cricket generate billions in league and tournament revenue, proving their dominance among the top sports in the world.
• Athlete Popularity – From Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to LeBron James and Virat Kohli, star athletes elevate their sports by attracting fans who might not otherwise watch. Their endorsements and cultural presence play a big role in deciding the best sport in the world.
• Viewership & Streaming Stats – Finally, we considered how many people tune in to marquee events. The FIFA World Cup Final, for example, reaches over 1.5 billion viewers, while the Cricket World Cup and NBA Finals also draw staggering global audiences.
  By combining these five factors, we created a fair, data-driven way to decide which games belong in the top 10 sports in the world. This balanced approach ensures our ranking isn’t just based on hype but on actual numbers that show global impact.

List of Best Sports in the World

When people ask what is the best sport in the world, the debate is endless. Different regions have different favorites—cricket dominates South Asia, basketball rules in the U.S., and football (soccer) unites billions across Europe, Africa, and Latin America. That’s why creating a ranking requires more than just guessing. By looking at hard numbers—like global fan bases, average tournament viewership, sponsorship revenue, and athlete star power—we can fairly determine the top 10 sports in the world.
From grassroots participation to multi-billion-dollar leagues, these sports shape culture, entertainment, and even national identity. Football’s FIFA World Cup, cricket’s IPL and World Cup, basketball’s NBA Finals, and the Olympics for hockey, volleyball, and table tennis showcase just how far-reaching these games have become. Each sport in this ranking has earned its place not only through tradition but also through its ability to adapt to digital platforms and attract younger fans.
The table below starts from #10 and works its way up to #1, providing a clear view of revenues, audience size, and flagship tournaments. Whether you’re a casual fan or a sports researcher, this breakdown highlights why these are truly the top sports in the world and answers once and for all: what is the best sport in the world?

Which is the Best Sport in the World?

When it comes to deciding what is the best sport in the world, there’s only one answer—football (soccer). With more than 4 billion fans globally, football is played in almost every country, requires minimal equipment, and unites people across cultures like no other game. The FIFA World Cup regularly attracts over 1 billion viewers, making it the single biggest sporting event on the planet. This combination of accessibility, global passion, and unmatched viewership cements football’s position as the best sport in the world. That said, the top 10 sports in the world each hold a special place. Cricket dominates South Asia with tournaments like the IPL and ICC World Cup. Basketball thrives in the U.S. and beyond, driven by the NBA’s star power. Hockey and tennis continue to attract massive Olympic and Grand Slam audiences, while volleyball and table tennis shine as global participation sports. Baseball remains America’s pastime with steady international growth, rugby commands tradition through its World Cup, and golf stands out for prestige and elite sponsorship. Together, these represent the top sports in the world, but when the debate arises about what is the best sport in the world, football’s reach and influence make it the undisputed No. 1.

10: Golf

Golf is a sport of precision, prestige, and patience. Major tournaments like The Masters, The Open, and the Ryder Cup attract worldwide audiences and massive sponsorships. With legends such as Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy bringing global attention, golf has secured its place among the top 10 sports in the world. Though it appeals to a more niche audience, its commercial success and tradition make it highly influential. Lastly on our list is an elegant sport commonly associated with luxury, exclusivity, leisure, and recreation. Golf is played on courses that are located in scenic and natural settings, which are a great connection to the outdoors. Golf has an estimated fan base of 450 million people who love the sport.

9: Rugby

Rugby combines raw power with tactical brilliance, producing one of the most intense atmospheres in sports. The Rugby World Cup is watched by millions globally and unites fans across Europe, Oceania, and Africa. Nations like New Zealand, South Africa, and England dominate the sport, giving it a rich tradition. Rugby’s physicality and passion firmly place it among the top sports in the world. Rugby league consists of two teams with 13 players each, with two halves played for 40minutes. Points per score include tries (4 points), conversions (2 points), penalties (2 points), and drop goals (1 point). This format includes a six-tackle rule where teams have up to six attempts to score before possession of the ball is turned over to the opponents.

8: Table Tennis

Table tennis may look simple, but at the professional level, it’s lightning-fast and highly competitive. It is especially dominant in countries like China, Japan, and South Korea, where players achieve celebrity status. As an Olympic sport with millions of grassroots participants, table tennis is both accessible and elite, making it one of the most inclusive entries in the top sports in the world. You can’t talk about popular sports without mentioning table tennis. It is played in every country globally by people of all ages. The game requires some level of skills and speed, especially for those who compete internationally. It is an indoor game that is played by two people or in doubles. The players use a lightweight ball and rackets more like lawn tennis. The only difference is that the game is played on a table with a net dividing the middle. To win the score, the players must strike the ball in a way that their opponents cannot strike the ball back to them.

7: Baseball

Baseball is deeply rooted in American culture, earning the nickname “America’s pastime.” Major League Baseball generates billions in revenue annually and attracts loyal fan bases across the U.S., Japan, and Latin America. With iconic events like the World Series, baseball holds its ground as one of the top 10 sports in the world despite being more regional compared to football or cricket. Baseball is an American sport that was invented in the 18th century. Baseball is known for its strategic depth and timeless traditions, which have allowed the sport to be a fan favorite with an estimated following of over 500 million people worldwide. The sport is played between two teams, each having nine players.

6: Volleyball

Volleyball is a universal participation sport, played on beaches, courts, and schools across the globe. Its simplicity makes it appealing to casual players, while its competitive form shines at the Olympics and the Volleyball Nations League. With rising international popularity, especially in Asia and Europe, volleyball earns its spot in the top 10 sports in the world and continues to grow rapidly. Ice hockey is played on an ice rink, and the game involves two teams, each with 6 players. The players, aside from the goalkeeper, move around the rink with skates. Ice hockey games are divided into 3 periods, each lasting 20 minutes. On the other hand, Field hockey is played on an indoor court or grass turf with 2 teams consisting of 11 players. Field hockey matches are divided into 4 periods, each lasting 15 minutes.

5: Tennis

Tennis is unique because it thrives on individual brilliance. Legendary players like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Novak Djokovic have turned Grand Slams into global spectacles. Events like Wimbledon and the US Open attract millions of viewers and generate prestige unmatched by most sports. Tennis remains one of the most respected and widely followed games among the top sports in the world. The goal is for a player to hit the ball into the opponent’s side of the court in a way that the opponent cannot return it. Tennis matches are divided into sets. To win the match, a player must win the majority of the sets by winning at least six games to win a set. The major events in tennis include the US Open, the French Open, and the Australian Open. Many people spend a lot on tickets to watch these events and their favorite players live on the tennis courts.

4: Hockey

Hockey, particularly ice hockey, combines speed, skill, and intensity like few other games. The NHL is hugely popular in North America, while Olympic hockey showcases the sport’s global appeal. Field hockey also has a passionate following in countries like India, the Netherlands, and Germany. These factors make hockey one of the most versatile entries in the top 10 sports in the world. Ice hockey is played on an ice rink, and the game involves two teams, each with 6 players. The players, aside from the goalkeepers, move around the rink with skates. Ice hockey games are divided into 3 periods, each lasting 20 minutes. On the other hand, Field hockey is played on an indoor court or grass turf with 2 teams consisting of 11 players. Field hockey matches are divided into 4 periods, each lasting 15 minutes.

3: Basketball

Basketball’s popularity exploded thanks to the NBA, which created international superstars like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and today’s icons, LeBron James and Stephen Curry. The NBA Finals draw millions of viewers each year, while basketball continues to spread rapidly in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Its fast pace and star-driven appeal cement basketball as one of the top sports in the world. Some of the major events that have brought popularity to the sport include the FIBA Basketball World Cup and the Olympic Basketball Tournament. When playing internationally, the quarters last up to 10 minutes each. Meanwhile, in the NBA, quarters last 12 minutes of play. The sport consists of the following.

2: Cricket

Cricket is a powerhouse in countries like India, Pakistan, Australia, and England. Events like the ICC World Cup and the Indian Premier League attract hundreds of millions of fans and break digital streaming records. With its mix of tradition, strategy, and entertainment, cricket easily earns its place among the top 10 sports in the world and is second only to football in global reach. Cricket was invented in England in the 16th century. It later spread through the British Empire, becoming deeply rooted in countries like India, Pakistan, the West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Other countries went on to adopt the sport through participation, hence its popularity.

1: Football

Football is not just a sport; it’s a global language. Played in over 200 countries, it’s the most accessible game, requiring little more than a ball and open space. With clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United, and stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, football dominates worldwide attention. The FIFA World Cup final regularly reaches over 1 billion viewers, proving why football is considered the best sport in the world. The FIFA World Cup is a major event held every four years, attracting billions of viewers globally, creating moments like unity, joy, and heartbreak. Furthermore, other football leagues like the UEFA Champions League, Copa America, African Cup of Nations, and the Euro have also contributed to the popularity of the sport.