One of the most burning questions in American sports is this – is soccer more popular than the NFL (American football)?
The answer to the question is complex as there are many variables. So, to definitively answer this question, we take a deep dive into the statistics and answer once and for all whether soccer is more popular than the NFL.
Is soccer more popular than the NFL?
Globally, soccer is more popular than the NFL. Approximately 240 million people are registered soccer players, while supporters number in the billions. In contrast, around 6-9 million people are registered to play American football. Typically, about 17-18 million people regularly watch the NFL, while the global fanbase is in the hundreds of millions. As the numbers indicate, soccer is more popular globally than the NFL, and we explain this in more detail below.
A comparison between the popularity of soccer and American Football
Because so many people ask, ‘is soccer more popular than the NFL?’ We thought it would be helpful to compare the statistics related to the two sports. This way, you can clearly see how viewing and participation figures differ between the two:
| Metric | Soccer | American Football |
| # of registered players (global) | 240 million | 6-9 million |
| Average # of TV viewers (US) | 1.14 (MLS) | 17.1 million (NFL) |
| Average attendance at live matches (US) | 21,310 (MLS) | 67,254 (NFL) |
Looking at the figures in the table above, we can see that soccer’s global appeal outweighs that of American football and, therefore, the NFL.
However, viewing and attendance figures of the NFL are much higher than those of the MLS and soccer more generally in the United States.
Therefore, it’s fair to say that in the United States, the NFL is more popular than soccer. But globally, soccer is more popular than the NFL.
Is soccer the #1 sport in the world?
Yes, soccer is the #1 sport globally in terms of followers and participants, with estimates placing the number in the region of 4 billion. According to World Atlas, the five most popular sports in the world are:
- Soccer (4 billion followers/participants)
- Cricket (2.5 billion followers/participants)
- Hockey (2 billion followers/participants)
- Tennis (1 billion followers/participants)
- Volleyball (900 million followers/participants)
What does this tell us? Well, soccer far exceeds most other sports in popularity. So while it might seem like stories, matches, and discussions about the NFL dominate our everyday lives in the US, our national game is only really popular on our continent!
When you leave North America, you will find that the NFL is only really popular in isolated pockets, and soccer is the sport that dominates the conversation.
Which sports are more popular than soccer in the US?
Although soccer is exceptionally popular worldwide, it hasn’t quite enjoyed the same levels of support in the United States. Nevertheless, the table below indicates the top five most popular sports in America and makes for interesting reading:
| Sport | Viewership % of population | Participants |
| American Football (NFL) | 38.8% | 6-9 million |
| Basketball (NBA) | 15.3% | 24.4 million |
| Baseball (MLB) | 14.8% | 23.3 million |
| Soccer (MLS) | 8.2% | 13.6 million |
| Ice hockey (NHL) | 3.8% | 3.1 million |
The table shows us that soccer is the fourth most popular sport in the United States regarding viewership and the third most popular in terms of participants.
This means that American football, basketball, and baseball are more popular than soccer in terms of viewership.
As far as participants are concerned, only baseball and basketball are more popular than soccer in America.
Why is soccer not as popular in the US as in other countries?
There are many reasons why soccer isn’t as popular in the US as it is in other countries. But, perhaps the most obvious reason is that soccer is still a relatively recent addition to the sports roster in the country.
For instance, the MLS – the professional soccer league in the US – was only founded in 1993, with the first season kicking off in 1996. Before the MLS’ formation, the top soccer league in America was the North American Soccer League, which ran from 1968 to 1984.
There was much less interest in the NASL than there currently is in the MLS, which many people attribute to the fact that the soccer World Cup was held in the US in 1994.
Although high-profile soccer stars like Pele played in the NASL, it was seen as an exhibition league rather than something to be taken seriously.
With the establishment of the MLS, the founders gave a new lease of life and an additional dose of professionalism. They also provided people with the opportunity to support a soccer team in their state for the very first time.
Something else worth noting is that new MLS franchises have popped up throughout the United States since the nineties. For example, between 2021 and 2021, we will see the arrival of the following franchises in the MLS:
- Austin FC (2021)
- Charlotte (2022)
- St. Louis (2023)
- Sacramento (2023)
This is hugely significant because soccer is expanding its outreach in the United States. The more MLS clubs that exist, the more people in different regions can buy into the philosophy of soccer.
In the next few decades, we’re likely to see a huge increase in the popularity of soccer in America as more and more franchises join the MLS party!
The verdict: Is soccer more popular than the NFL?
As you have learned from this article, the answer to the question – is soccer more popular than the NFL – isn’t straightforward. Here’s a recap of what we’ve learned:
- Globally, in terms of participation and supporter base, soccer is more popular than the NFL.
- More people (17.1 million) watch the NFL on TV in the US than the MLS (1.14 million).
- More fans attend NFL matches in the US (67,254) than soccer matches (21,310).
- More people play soccer in the US (13.6 million) than American football (6-9 million).
Therefore, we conclude that soccer is more popular than the NFL globally, but not in the United States.
The NFL is watched by more people and enjoys much more air time in the country, and it is likely to be a few decades until the MLS and soccer can match the incredible popularity of America’s national football game.
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