Biggest Global Sports
A statistics-based analysis of the world's most popular sports, seasonality, and global reach.
Global Interest Index (GII)
Weighted by country size
Seasonality aware
World's biggest sports
By country/region
By Month/Season
Top Sporting Nations 2014
Greatest Athletes All Time
Calculation Method
Top Sports (Global Interest Index)
Higher = broader and stronger worldwide coverage
1
Association Football (Soccer)
All months
Global
Top 10 in all countries measured
GII
2313
2
Basketball
Nov–Jun
US/China/EU
GII
1372
3
Tennis
May–Sep & Jan
Universal
GII
1072
4
Cricket
All months
India/UK/AUS/SA
GII
803
5
Baseball
Apr–Oct
US/JPN/KOR
GII
560
6
Formula 1
Aug–Feb
Europe/Global
GII
542
7
American Football
Feb–Nov
US-centric
GII
460
8
Athletics
May–Aug
Olympics
GII
414
9
Golf
Apr–Aug
US/JP/KR/UK
GII
377
10
Ice Hockey
Nov–Jun
CA/RU/US
GII
340
World's biggest sports
By country/region
By Month/Season
Top Sporting Nations 2014
Greatest Athletes All Time
Calculation Method