What are the Most Popular Recreational Sports in the World?

Now more than ever, in the hustle and bustle caused by life in the big city, it is important to spend some time away from all of that. To that end, many people take up different sports and hobbies, whether it be mountain climbing, cycling, going on long walks, or other sports, getting some time away from all the worries is always a great thing. So, let’s take a look at some of the things that people choose to do on their day off.

Football/Soccer

By far the biggest sport in the world, with close to 5 billion fans worldwide, is football (or soccer if you are in the States). Football’s roots are long, however, the sport as we know it today originates in Victorian England. Today, football is the most popular sport in the world, and the number one most watched and played sport in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. It is, by far, the most played sport around the world, with 250 million people all around the world playing it recreationally, with friends, family, or schoolmates. Football is also the biggest and most popular betting sport on the sports betting websites on Bet Station.

The football season is an important time for these sites, as their revenue and traffic significantly increase.

Basketball

Another one of the most popular sports in the world is basketball. Basketball got its start in the United States and has since spread around the world, being played by half a million people all around the world. Basketball players are some of the highest-paid athletes in the world, and in Europe, North America, and Asia, basketball is one of the most practiced sports. Basketball is great for developing leg and core muscles, and it also is great for cardio exercise.

Tennis

Another popular sport, tennis is played in clubs all over the world. What attracts many to tennis is that, with a few exceptions, it is an individual sport, where, more often than not, two people compete against each other. This makes tennis great for those who are surrounded by people every day, and just need a break from socialization. Tennis helps players focus on a goal and is great for exercising the entire body.

Golf

What makes golf appealing is that it does not require too much exertion, yet still trains the body. Golf is great for people of all ages, especially older people who have a need to keep active but don’t have the strength to engage in more demanding sports, like football or tennis. It is estimated by the National Golf Foundation, that golf is played by close to 30 million people worldwide.

Chess

While not a traditional sport, chess is, in fact, considered a sport. And in sheer numbers, it is the most popular sport played worldwide, with over 600 million adults from all over the world playing chess for fun. Chess is one of the most popular games of all time, and it is great for developing thinking skills.