For most Europeans, staying active is something they take very seriously. While going to the gym is a great way to stay fit, it can get a bit boring over time. Doing the same workout day after day will only lead to you dreading your time at the gym.
If you are looking for a way to add more excitement and physical activity to your life, getting involved in a new sport is a great idea. While it may be a bit intimidating at first, participating in a new sport can provide you with new experiences and allows you to meet new people as well.
Recent studies show that nearly 44 percent of the Europeans polled claimed they never participate in a sport. Many experts agree that there is a definite correlation between the growing obesity epidemic in Europe and a lack of regular physical activity. Rather than letting your health suffer, now is the time to embrace a new sport.
Are you curious about what the most popular sports in Europe are? If so, check out the information below.
1. Soccer is Still King
For years, soccer has been the number one sport in the world. There are over 4 billion in the world that claim to be active followers of this sport. Not only is professional soccer popular, youth leagues all across Europe are very popular.
One of the biggest draws of soccer is the fact that it is accessible for people of all ages. In countries like Spain and the UK, soccer news dominates the headlines. Soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are revered as national treasures.
The World Cup, which is the world championship for professional soccer, has over 3.9 billion views worldwide. With numbers like that, you can clearly see that the popularity of soccer will not be dropping off any time soon.
2. Europeans are Embracing American Football
From Madrid to Paris, Europeans are playing more Americanized football than ever before. In countries like Germany, they have been playing football since the end of the second World War. While football is not as popular as soccer, it is definitely starting to pick up steam.
With all of the arena football leagues popping up around Europe, more people are being exposed to the joy and excitement of this sport. Many former NFL stars like Johnny Manziel has played in these arena leagues. As the popularity of football grows in Europe, you will undoubtedly see more and more big names coming on board.
3. Softball is Drawing Large Crowds in Europe
Twenty years have passed since the first slow pitch softball tournament in Europe. This tournament hosted teams from France, Austria, Ireland and the Czech Republic. Since this tournament, people as far away as Madrid, Spain have begun to embrace the fun and excitement softball has to offer.
Are you interested in starting your own softball team? If so, one of the first things you need to do is go shopping for softball jerseys. Getting jerseys that are both appealing and made from a breathable material is a must. While higher-quality jerseys will be more expensive, they are definitely worth the money you invest.
4. Europeans Love Basketball
Did you realize that basketball has a fanbase of nearly 1 billion people in Europe? There are established professional basketball leagues in Argentina, France, Italy and Turkey, which goes to show how widespread this sport’s popularity is. From revenue numbers to league stats, basketball is clearly the fastest growing sport in the world.
When it comes to the number of leagues in the world, basketball is only second to football in popularity. Most people who participate in this sport claim the skill and physicality is what keeps them coming back for more. If you are looking for a great workout mixed with loads of fun, then you may want to give basketball a try.
5. The Universal Game of Tennis
Tennis boasts a following of over 1 billion people worldwide. In Europe, this game has been a staple for decades. Many of the most popular professional tennis tournaments in the world happen in Europe. Studies show that this sport is popular among both men and women, which is what sets it apart from the other activities mentioned in this article.
Wimbledon, which is one of the most popular tennis tournaments in the world takes place in the south-west corner of London. This tournament attracts 1 billion viewers on television screens all over the world.
The only thing you need to do to get involved in this sport is to invest in a quality racket and a can of tennis balls. While it will take a lot of hard work to become good at tennis, it is a very fun sport that will provide you with hours of enjoyment.
6. Rugby is Still Extremely Popular
Another major sport in Europe is rugby. Places like Ireland, Scotland and the United Kingdom are some of the biggest consumers of rugby. Most rugby enthusiasts agree that the best rugby league in the world is in France. Most French rugby clubs spend big money to attract the top talent from around the world.
The Rugby World Cup generates millions of dollars in revenue each year. While it is nowhere near as popular as the World Cup for soccer, it is definitely getting bigger with each passing year. The last Rugby World Cup sold over 2 million tickets in Europe alone.
This sport is very physical, which is why you need to take precautions when taking part in a rugby match. Consulting with your primary care doctor will help you figure out whether or not you are healthy enough to participate in a rugby match.
Just Get Active
Now that you know about the most popular sports in Europe, it’s time to get up and get active. With the right diet and a daily dose of physical activity, you should have no problem staying healthy for years to come.