Popular Sports In The World – 12 Most Engaged Sports In The World

Table of Contents

Despite the challenge of determining the precise figures of global sports participation, it is feasible to provide a rough overview of some of the most commonly played sports based on existing research.

However, we acknowledge that this list is subject to interpretation and discussion.

Badminton

One of the most popular games worldwide is Badminton, also called a lawn game, governed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). While it can be enjoyed as a casual outdoor activity in a yard or on the beach, formal matches are typically held on a rectangular indoor court.

To score points, players must use their racquets to hit the shuttlecock and successfully land it in the opposing team’s half of the court.

2. Mixed Martial Arts

(MMA)Judo, boxing, wrestling, karate, sambo, and taekwondo techniques are all incorporated into mixed martial arts. MMA match or exhibition can be held in a ring or a secured space. The enclosed space can be circular or have a minimum of six sides.

Depending on its shape, the fenced area is called a cage, a hexagon, an octagon, or an octagon cage. Equipment like boxing gloves, MMA shorts, and groin guards are basically required for this game.

The World Mixed Martial Arts Association (WMMAA) was established in 2012. It is a group that oversees the growth of mixed martial arts, establishes policies, and organizes MMA contests.

3. Bowling

Bowling, also known as pin bowling, is a sport in which players stand at one end of a long, smooth surface and roll a heavy ball along it in an effort to knock down a line of ten wooden pins arranged in a triangle at the other end.

For this game, you’ll need a ball, bowling pins, and shoes with non-slip soles typically made of rubber for traction.

The International Bowling Federation (IBF) is the organization that oversees nine- and ten-pin bowling internationally.

4. Athletics

Track and field sports, also known as athletics, are competitions featuring running, jumping, walking, and throwing events. Track and field events are individual sports with categories, including road running, cross-country running, and racewalking.

The winner of the jumps and throws is the athlete who achieves the highest or furthest measurement over the course of multiple attempts. The results of racing events are determined by finishing position (or time, where measured).

Athletics is one of the most popular sports in the world due to the ease of the competitions and the lack of expensive equipment.

The organization that oversees this sport internationally is called World Athletics, formerly the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

5. Lacrosse

Players in this game use long-handled sticks with shallow nets for catching, throwing, and carrying the ball as it is played on a field. Three attackmen, three midfielders, three defenders, and one goalie make up each team’s ten-player roster.

Each player carries a lacrosse stick. Attackers and midfielders use short sticks, which are between 40 and 42 inches (100 and 110 cm) long. The playing field measures 110 by 60 yards (101 by 55 m).

The goals are 80 yd (73 m) apart and 6 by 6 ft (1.8 by 1.8 m) in size.

The circumference of the “crease” around each goal is 18 feet (5.5 meters).

Players will need complete lacrosse equipment and accessories to play and prevent injuries from the game.

The men’s, women’s, and indoor versions of lacrosse are all governed by World Lacrosse(WL), formerly known as the Federation of International Lacrosse.

6. Cycling

Bicycles are raced in sport cycling, either indoors or outdoors, with various configurations to accommodate different racer styles. Some racers will also compete in an omnium and various other formats.

There are six types of bicycle racing: road, track, cyclo-cross, BMX, cycle speedway, gravel, and mountain bikes. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the organization that oversees international cycling competitions.

7. Rugby

In contrast to soccer, rugby game, also known as rugby union, allows players to carry the ball, block with their hands and arms, and tackle. It is a form of football played between two teams of 15 players each.

Its defining characteristics are continuous action and the exclusion of substitute players.

The ball may only be passed laterally or backward and cannot be thrown forward to another player.

Three methods are typically used to advance the ball: kicking, running with it, and within a scrum or maul. The only player who may be tackled or rucked is the one with the ball.

When a player knocks the ball forward, it is called a “knock-on,” and play is restarted with a scrum. The world’s governing body for rugby union is called World Rugby. The Rugby World Cup, the most prestigious and lucrative competition in the sport, is organized by World Rugby every four years.

8. Volleyball

The object of volleyball is to make the ball touch the court inside your opponent’s playing area before returning it. It is a game in which two teams, typically with six players on each side, alternately bat the ball back and forth over a high net.

Since Tokyo 1964, it has been a part of the official Olympic Summer Games schedule. The Atlanta 1996 Summer Olympics introduced beach volleyball to the Olympic program. Sitting volleyball is the modified version of volleyball played at the Summer Paralympics.

A coin toss determines which team will serve to begin the game. The serve is made by a serving team member who throws the ball into the air and tries to hit it so that it crosses the net and lands on the opposing team’s court.

The International Volleyball Federation, also referred to as FIVB, is the body that oversees all variations of volleyball internationally.

9. Tennis

Tennis is an Olympic sport enjoyed by people of all social classes and ages. Anyone holding a racket can participate in the sport, including wheelchair users. It is a game that can be played either solo (by one player) or between two teams of two players each or (doubles).

A player must shoot either before or after the ball has made one bounce to score a point. World tennis, wheelchair tennis, and beach tennis are all governed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF).

10. Golf

Around the world, golf is a very popular sport.

The game’s goal on a sizable outdoor course is to use a variety of wood or iron-tipped sticks or golf clubs to propel a small, hard ball into a series of “holes” with the fewest strokes.

Throughout the game, a player typically carries several clubs (but no more than fourteen, the limit defined by the rules).

Unlike most ball games, golf cannot and does not use a standardized playing area, and one of the key aspects of the game is navigating the various terrain found on different courses.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recognized the International Golf Federation (IGF), established in 1958, as the global governing body for golf.

11. Basketball

It is a team sport where two teams of five players compete to score points by putting a ball through a 300 cm (10 ft) high hoop while following set rules. Both indoor and outdoor courts are used to play it.

It is regarded as the world’s top men’s professional basketball league and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the US and Canada. The International Basketball Federation, or FIBA, is the organization in charge of basketball worldwide.

12. Soccer/ Football

It is a team sport played on a field between two teams of 11 players. A team of 10 outfield players and one designated goalkeeper. The majority of outfielders specialize in attacking, defending, or both.

FIFA, which stands for International Association Football Federation, is the body that oversees association football, futsal, and beach soccer internationally.

Popular Sports In The World – 12 Most Engaged Sports In The World