Sports are popular around the world and while many countries have sports fanatics, America seems to be one of the countries with the biggest percentage of fans. Even among Americans who do not make following a team a way of life, watching sports is still a popular social and community activity.
There are so many ways to engage with sports that it is easy to see why people love them so much. Rec leagues let you play with friends, watching with friends at home or sports bars is a great social activity, and going to games and tailgating are favorite ways to spend an evening or a weekend.
Alongside playing and watching sports, Americans engage with sports by betting on them. Sports betting is being rapidly legalized across the country. Since 2018, more and more states have made it possible for fans to bet either in person or online — or both!
Online sportsbooks have become incredibly popular. Part of the appeal is that they make it convenient to bet on any sport from anywhere. This saves bettors the time and expense of having to find a brick-and-mortar casino to place their bets at.
Another attractive feature is that many offer no deposit bonuses and promotions to new and returning bettors. Perks such as no deposit betting and deposit matching or parlay bet insurance are hard to resist.
Online betting makes it possible to bet on everything from the major leagues to the most niche sports. While every sport has its diehard fans, we all know that not all sports have the same level of popularity.
Here are the top sports in America today:
Basketball
Right now, America is going crazy for the NBA Finals. The 2021-22 season has included some major upsets and the playoffs have kept things just as exciting. The Phoenix Suns looked like they were set to sweep the tournament when they were unseated by the Dallas Mavericks in the Conference Semi-Finals.
For people who are new to the sport, basketball can seem repetitive because it is so fast paced. That speed and energy is a huge part of the appeal though. It is a sport that has non-stop action and high scores that reflect the constant shooting opportunities the game offers.
Baseball
Baseball is one of the oldest American pastimes and remains one of the country’s favorite sports. The steroid scandal of the early 2000s might have taken some of the sheen off the MLB’s wholesome image, but it is still a great family game.
From community T-Ball leagues, to Little League, to AAA Minors teams and finally the MLB, there is a level of baseball that appeals to everyone. Some people just want to watch their kids have fun on the field, others love the roar of the stadium, while still others enjoy the retro feel of minor league games.
It is not an action-packed sport. That might contribute to how exciting it is when something actually happens on the field. When the bat finally connects with a fastball and sends it soaring into the crowd, it is a huge moment.
Football
Americans might have had a hard time convincing the rest of the world that football is more interesting than soccer or rugby, but we hold it close to our hearts. The NFL is the league with the highest average game attendance – and the Super Bowl is consistently one of the most-watched televised events of the year.
Fantasy Football has allowed fans of the sport to feel even more engaged — and provided a convenient excuse for needing to watch every single game! Playing Fantasy Football well depends on thorough statistical knowledge of every team and player, making it the perfect hobby for a dedicated fan.
Now that the research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has made it clear how dangerous football is, it seems immoral to encourage players to keep playing without finding a way to reduce the risks. It will be interesting to see if there are any changes to play in the coming years.
Hockey
Hockey used to be seen as a sport for Canadians and people from the Northeast, but there has been a massive culture shift in the last decade ; increasing numbers of Americans from all over the country have realized that hockey is actually an incredible sport.
Since 2000, the NHL has added 4 new teams – expanding to 32 teams. The two most recent additions were the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken. There are now teams all across the country, and it is easier than ever to attend a game.
Some fans of “old-time hockey” might worry about the violence associated with the game. Of course, fights on the ice are still a component of the game, however the position of the goon has largely been eliminated. They have made the sport safer without sacrificing the wildness that makes it unique.
Soccer
Soccer is another sport that is finally having its moment in the spotlight in the US. The leading sport in most of the world, soccer had a hard time establishing a solid foothold in America, but we have finally caught on to what the rest of the world has known for decades — soccer is awesome.
The low scores deter some people who assume that a low score translates to little action on the field. This could not be further from reality. Soccer is a game with constant action. The soccer culture is a ton of fun too, encouraging fans to be vocal and create songs to celebrate their top players and taunt their rivals.
The community aspect of soccer is appealing to Americans too. Events such as the Skills & Drills Challenge that was a part of Bronx Week 2021, show that soccer can have a part in building stronger communities and families.
