In the US, sports are more than just a hobby or something to watch when the family gets together. They are a way of life. With 50 different states splitting their loyalty across a variety of leagues, franchises, and major teams, there are many options for who to support. Not to mention how many fans placed bets on game outcomes and player performances ahead of big faceoffs. In fact, online sports betting is growing rapidly in the U.S. market, as nowadays the activity has been made legal in nearly half of the country. This means that fan bases will only grow further, especially as virtual providers continue welcoming new and existing users to participate with discounted offers and opportunities on their interfaces. There’s no doubt wagering heightens the excitement behind all sports. So, without further ado, here we review the top three most-followed sports in the grand U.S. of A.
The governing body of professional football in the U.S., the NFL, has loyal fan bases spread all around
American Football
The Super Bowl—need we say more? This ginormous spectacle marks the end of the professional football season, and is reason enough for arguing the sport has the biggest of all fan bases in the US This year alone, 112 million people watched the game, recording a 14% jump from last year’s viewership. But aside from this hugely important matchup, NFL games are some of the most celebrated whilst in-season. From the start of the regular season in September to the championship in February, fans flock to watch their favorite teams and players compete on the green.
Baseball
Anyone that knows anything about the culture of the US knows that basketball is America’s pastime. With stadiums that are over a century old yet still in circulation, cities like Boston and Chicago are near and dear to the hearts of basketball aficionados. Right now there are over 60 million baseball fans in different corners of the country, the dedicated supporters who commonly sell out venues in their cities and root loudly for the home team while chowing down on a ballpark hotdog. This tradition doesn’t seem like it is going anywhere anytime soon. After all, the spirit of baseball is deeply ingrained into the fabric of the nation’s pride.
Many people enjoy watching basketball live as it is a fast-paced sport where the predicted outcome can take a dramatic turn at any second
Basketball
The NBA gained internationally recognition in the 90s with superstar Michael Jordan, and now many fans are following US-based teams while abroad. But back on American soil, the same reigns true as the league has approximately 30 million supporters’ country wide. Franchises like the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat remain some of the most popular, given their winning track records and star performers.