The most popular sport in the world is football (known as soccer in the United States), with an estimated 3.5 to 5 billion fans globally as of 2025. Football's widespread appeal is due to its simplicity, accessibility, and the excitement of the game, making it the most-watched and played sport across continents including Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas

. Following football, cricket holds the second position with around 2.5 billion fans, particularly popular in Asia, Australia, and the UK

. Other sports with large global followings include hockey (about 2 billion fans), tennis (1 billion), and volleyball (900 million)

. In summary, football (soccer) is the undisputed global leader in popularity by fan base and viewership.