Over 68 million people live in the United Kingdom. Sport is a popular pastime among the majority of British people since it is so ingrained in their culture, traditions, and way of life. Sport is extremely popular in the UK, whether it be football, rugby, cricket, or tennis. The UK has a sophisticated athletic schedule that enables citizens to participate in various sports all year round.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the most popular sports in the UK that have the highest viewership.
Football
It brings people together, enabling them to spend time together and experience a sense of belonging. The popularity of football in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland is mostly due to this deep attachment to the sport. Football clubs play a significant role in UK culture. These teams have a strong bond with supporters across Britain and serve as symbols for their respective communities. Therefore, it is not unexpected that football is the most popular sport in the UK. Football is watched by more than 25 million people in the UK, or 40% of the total population, and England has given birth to some of the game’s best players.
Cricket
Cricket, the second most prevalent sport in the UK, is regarded as England’s true national sport. Around 2% of UK residents play this oldest of sports, whereas 18% watch live cricket matches in stadiums and on TV. 19% of the UK population, according to Come-to-Play, is interested in cricket. Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the UK, with the majority of upper- and middle-class communities participating. One of the reasons this game obtains extensive sponsorship from many companies, resulting in the development of clubs at all levels, is the sizable fan base. In the UK, there are thousands of teams and more than 20 cricket clubs.
Rugby Union & Rugby League
Another popular sport in the UK is rugby, which has 12 million fans, according to estimates. Due to its local community, clubs, and organizations, rugby is a spectator sport. All players, even new ones, are welcome at these. Young people play rugby in a similar way to foster camaraderie and develop relationships. In this ranking of the most frequently played sports in the UK, rugby takes the third slot and is always entertaining to play and watch. The 12 million followers of rugby in the UK will only grow over the next several years. Between the ages of 16 and 29, young people make up the majority of these enthusiasts.
Horse Racing
With an estimated six million fans, horse racing is one of the most widely watched sports in the UK. In the UK, the NHS employs more than 100,000 people, which is a phenomenal number. Millions of people from around the world go to the UK each year to attend the thousands of horse racing events held there. Horse racing alone contributes more than £3.4 billion to the UK economy annually, which is a significant amount of money.
Swimming
Swimming is a popular cardiovascular exercise among UK residents who are health-conscious since it enhances general wellbeing. Whether for recreation, competitions at the local or national level, or both, over 2 million people regularly swim. In the UK, competitive swimming is a popular sport. Events including the backstroke, butterfly, freestyle, breaststroke, and individual medley draw thousands of professional swimmers.
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