Most Popular Sports in America | Lifestyle

by DeniseISmithson

There are a few sports which are universally acknowledged as being the most popular sports in America. These sports occupy a place of prominence in our culture; and if you don't follow the sports world particularly closely, you might be surprised at which sports are in the top tier with US sports fans. Keep reading for a quick look at which sports currently rule the roost.

The most popular American sport of all is most likely exactly what you'd guess. NFL football has been the biggest sport in America since the 1960s and the Super Bowl is the single most popular television event in America, with the playoff games not far behind. The NFL has enjoyed nationwide popularity for a long time and at least for the foreseeable future, it doesn't seem as if anything will change.

One sport which many may be surprised to see among the most popular is NASCAR racing. While once a regional sport with a limited audience almost entirely in the south, it has entered the mainstream in the past few decades. NASCAR races now regularly draw audiences of over 100,000 and have a large television viewing audience all over the country.

Another sport that may be surprising to see on this list is MMA, or mixed martial arts. Mixed martial arts has enjoyed a meteoric and exponential rise in popularity. Spearheaded by the UFC, MMA has quickly developed a huge base of fans, mostly in the coveted youth markets of teenagers and young adults. It provides intensity, violent competition and instant gratification, all things that easily translate into the minds of many people.

Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association are both still popular, although neither enjoys the place that they used to. Golf, tennis and hockey now largely appeal to niche markets.

College sports are unsurprisingly among the most popular sports in America. The most popular of college sports is football, with each university having its own fan base of diehard supporters. The most popular of these college teams enjoy a national fan base and in cities and states with no NFL franchises, college teams enjoy a particularly important position. Even cities with NFL teams have many loyal college football fans - Baltimore sports fans are equally loyal to their beloved Maryland Terrapins as they are to the Ravens. College bowl games are especially big with fans, even with the playoffs lacking a truly cohesive structure.

While college football is overall more popular, college basketball has the most popular sporting event in the country short of the Super Bowl. This of course is March Madness, when millions of offices and groups of friends place wagers in pools and games are shown throughout the day. The chance of the tiny, upstart and underdog school upsetting the favorited powerhouse captivates. Some star players shine while others fail in the clutch, and legends are born each and every year.

America is home to a diverse range of sports. Football to hockey, basketball to NASCAR, there is something for nearly everyone here. You may have expected a different list of the most popular sports in America, but embracing change is one of the strengths of American culture; this list may be entirely different in a decade's time, but one thing is certain: fans will always be captivated by the thrill of competition.

DISCLAIMER: This article is provided as information only and is not to be taken as financial advice.

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