We hear Americans ask a lot: ‘Why is soccer so popular in Europe?’ And it’s a good question.
The beautiful game we all know and love started in Europe, but what caused it to become a truly global phenomenon?
Let’s find out now.
Explained: Why is soccer so popular in Europe?
Soccer is so popular in Europe because it is the birthplace of the beautiful game. Soccer – football in Europe – as we know it today, started in England in 1863. The game proved extremely popular with Britain’s working class at the time and quickly spread throughout Europe. Communities of working men in Europe labored throughout the week before playing and passionately supporting their teams at the weekend. The European love for soccer has continued ever since, as we explore in detail below.
When did soccer first emerge in Europe?
Soccer is a European game. It started in England and quickly spread throughout the continent in the second half of the nineteenth century. So let’s look at the origins, spread, and appeal of soccer to Europeans.
Soccer’s European origins
According to the PFSA, the birth of modern soccer occurred in 1863. This year is given as the birth of modern soccer because it marked the publication of the Cambridge Rules.
Within the rules was an agreement to form the Football Association, and one of the fundamental changes to the laws of the game was that running with the ball in hands was now banned.
Five years later, in 1871, the Football Association Challenge Cup (FA Cup) concept was established, and the first-ever international soccer match was scheduled for the following year.
4,000 spectators arrived at Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow, on November 30, 1972, to watch England take on Scotland. But, disappointingly, the game ended 0-0!
However, this was a huge turning point for soccer, and the English FA decided to permit the professionalization of the game. As a result, Preston North End became one of the most successful teams in early professional football, made up predominantly of Scottish players.
From 1875 onwards, many of the big English and Scottish teams that we know and love today were formed, and the modern game of soccer was well and truly underway.
The spread of soccer in Europe
The world’s first international soccer match between England and Scotland in 1872 set a precedent for the game to go global.
At the start of the twentieth century, soccer became popular in eastern European countries, including Austria and Hungary. In fact, in the lead-up to the Second World War, Hungarian soccer players were regarded as arguably the most talented on the planet.
The British influenced the development of soccer overseas by conducting regular tours and offering training sessions.
This was made easier by Britain’s colonial presence in all corners of the world, as they took the beautiful game in its modern form to the countries in which their men were stationed.
By 1930, soccer had become a truly global sensation, and the first-ever World Cup was held in (and won) by Uruguay.
European soccer from 1930 to 1950 was somewhat disrupted by political instability and war, but it would soon emerge as a unifying presence as European nations looked to reconcile their differences.
Soccer has always been seen as a game for the masses in Europe
Fuelling the success of soccer in Europe is that it has always been seen as a game for the working-class masses.
Soccer’s growth ran parallel to the industrial revolution in Europe, and factory workers would typically play the sport at weekends.
Men could enjoy soccer with next to no money. Moreover, people were not required to own any specialist equipment and enjoyed the game in their work clothes.
There were also no societal norms or expectations relating to soccer. For elitist sports like golf and cricket, membership of a club was exclusive and seen for the upper classes.
In Europe, soccer is the working man’s game, and the working class makes up the vast majority of the population.
This, more so than anything else, helped soccer become the most popular sport on the continent.
Who are the most famous soccer teams in Europe?
European soccer is dominated by some of the biggest clubs on the planet, which have grown into considerable businesses in the present day.
Many of the early British teams – Preston North End, Blackpool, and Queen’s Park – are nowhere near as popular as when soccer started.
Now, the most popular soccer teams in Europe are those who regularly participate in the UEFA Champions League, and according to data from IPSO, Europe’s most-followed clubs in 2022 are:
| Team | Instagram Followers | Facebook Followers |
| Real Madrid | 109 million | 111 million |
| FC Barcelona | 104 million | 103 million |
| Manchester United | 54.5 million | 74 million |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 34 million | 55.7 million |
| Juventus | 52.1 million | 44 million |
Granted, the number of followers on social media doesn’t necessarily represent the reality of a team’s fanbase. Still, it’s one of the most straightforward metrics to go by today.
When you visit Europe, you will find that most teams that compete in the biggest leagues on the continent have a fiercely loyal fanbase in real life.
Attend matches in stadia from Budapest to Berlin, and you will be surprised at just how much Europeans love their soccer teams!
Where else is soccer widely enjoyed?
Interestingly, data shows that soccer is the most popular sport in Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East, Central America, and Asia.
The exceptions are the Indian sub-continent, where cricket prevails, and oceanic countries where rugby, cricket, and AFC are popular. But, of course, soccer isn’t the most popular sport in the United States, either, where American football takes the crown.
Ultimately, soccer is the most popular sport globally, not just in Europe!
Recap: Soccer & Europe, a match made in heaven!
Fundamentally, soccer is so popular in Europe because the sport was born in the United Kingdom. From there, it spread in popularity around Europe and then further afield.
Central to its popularity in Europe is that soccer has always been a game for the working class masses, as opposed to the elite.
It led men all around the continent to play the sport and develop the passionate support of their local teams, which is still the case today.
And while it’s not quite there yet, soccer is likely to become as popular in other continents as it is in Europe, thanks to the globalization of the game and the powerful influence that broadcasting has on the sport.
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