Soccer Ranks Fourth in Popularity Among U.S. Sports, Gallup Reports

Initially, baseball dominated the rankings until football took the lead in 1972, largely due to the growth of professional leagues. Currently, 31% of Americans list football as their favorite sport, the lowest percentage since 2001. Meanwhile, soccer has reached a record 9% in the same survey, surpassing previous measurements by 2 percentage points. Basketball and baseball follow closely with 11% and 10%, respectively, while hockey sits at 4%. Other sports such as auto racing and volleyball each garnered 2%, with golf and tennis at 1%.

Among adults aged 35 to 54, soccer is especially popular, ranking as the second most favored sport at 14%, outpacing basketball at 12% and baseball at 6%. However, football remains the top choice at 20%, with 22% of individuals in this age group indicating they have no preference.

The surge in soccer's popularity is evident at local events like games held by Charlotte FC, which began its season in March 2022 with a record-setting attendance of 74,479 fans. The franchise has since averaged 34,450 fans per match.

Soccer’s roots in America trace back to the mid-1800s, coinciding with waves of European immigration. The sport holds varying appeal across different racial and ethnic demographics, as highlighted in Gallup's analysis. While white adults tend to prefer football, people of color favor basketball and soccer, particularly among Hispanic Americans.

Despite a youth soccer boom in the 1980s and 1990s, which did not translate into substantial attendance at professional games, participation has increased. Soccer is currently the third most popular sport among kids aged 6 to 17, with a participation rate of 24.1%, following basketball at 41.9% and football at 26.9%.

The rise of televised soccer has significantly boosted its visibility in American culture. Historically, soccer coverage was limited, with programs like "Soccer Made in Germany" airing in the Charlotte area. Over the decades, broadcasts evolved, with major events like the World Cup increasingly available on U.S. television. The 1994 World Cup, hosted in the U.S., featured complete coverage of all 52 matches, leading to further growth in interest.

Currently, a wide array of television networks and streaming services provide extensive coverage of professional and collegiate soccer. There are now over 100 professional teams in various leagues, alongside numerous college and club matches.

The Gallup results reported above are based on telephone interviews conducted in August 2023, involving a random sample of 1,200 adults across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.