Sports in the United States

Sporting activity in the United States of America

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From top, left to right: Michael Jordan as part of the U.S. men's basketball team, U.S. baseball team, Danica Patrick driving at the IndyCar Series, Sydney McLaughlin, American football Army–Navy Game, the skateboarder Tony Hawk, the 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey game, Christian Pulisic  as part of the United States men's soccer team, the start of the 2015 Daytona 500, and golfer Michelle Wie West.

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Sports in the United States are a significant aspect of the nation's culture. Historically, the most popular sport has been baseball. In recent decades, American football became the most popular spectator sport, based on broadcast viewership audience. Basketball has grown into the mainstream American sports scene, since the 1980s, as did ice hockey, towards the end of the 20th century. Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Hockey League (NHL) comprise the "Big Four" of the sport industry.[1]

In the first half of the 20th century, boxing and collegiate football were among the most popular sports after baseball. Soccer has emerged as the fifth most popular sport in the 21st century. Golf, tennis, and collegiate basketball are other spectator sports with longstanding popularity. Tennis is currently considered to be the sixth most popular sport in the United States.[citation needed] Most recently, mixed martial arts has been breaking records in attendance and broadcast viewership for all combat sports.

Based on revenue, the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada are the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), and the National Hockey League (NHL). At $16 billion in revenue, the NFL is the most valuable sports league in the world.[2]

The market for professional sports in the United States is about $69 billion, roughly 50% larger than that of all of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa combined.[3] All these leagues enjoy wide-ranging domestic media coverage and, except for Major League Soccer, all are considered the preeminent leagues in their respective sports in the world. Although American football does not have a substantial following in other nations, the NFL does have the highest average attendance (67,254) of any professional sports league in the world. MLB has the second highest average attendance of any sports league in the United States (29,293)[4] followed by MLS, the NBA, and the NHL. Of these five American-based leagues, all but the NFL have at least one team in Canada.

Professional teams in all major sports in the United States operate as franchises within a league, meaning that a team may move to a different city if the team's owners believe there would be a financial benefit, but franchise moves are usually subject to some form of league-level approval.[5] All major sports leagues use a similar type of regular-season schedule with a post-season playoff tournament. In addition to the major league–level organizations, several sports also have professional minor leagues, active in smaller cities across the country.

As in Canada and Australia, sports leagues in the United States do not practice promotion and relegation, unlike most sports leagues in Europe. Another notable distinction is that most sports fans in the United States tend to follow more than one team sport, depending on the time of year, unlike the case in many parts of the world where fans might avidly follow only one team sport such as soccer or baseball. Thus, it is possible for an American sports fan who follows multiple sports to spend practically every single day of the year watching professional sports, since there is no time of year when all the Big Five leagues would be off-season.

Sports are particularly associated with education in the United States, with most high schools and universities having organized sports, and this is a unique sporting footprint for the American College sports competitions play an important role in the American sporting culture, and college basketball and college football are more popular than professional sports in some parts of the country. The major sanctioning body for college sports is the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Colleges collectively receive billions of dollars from TV deals, sponsorships, and ticket sales. In 2019, the total revenue generated by NCAA athletic departments added up to $18.9 billion.[6]

Based on Olympic Games, World Championships, and other major competitions in respective sports, the United States is the most successful nation in the world in baseball, basketball, athletics, swimming, lacrosse, beach volleyball, figure skating, tennis, golf, boxing, diving, shooting, rowing and snowboarding, and is one of the top five most successful nations in ice hockey, wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, speed skating, alpine skiing, bobsleigh, equestrian, sailing, cycling, weightlifting and archery, among others. This makes the United States the most successful sports nation in the world. The United States has been referred to by some as the Hegemon of World Sports.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] The United States has placed first in the Summer Olympic medal table 19 times out of 30 Summer Olympics and 29 appearances. Unlike most other nations, the United States government does not provide funding for sports nor for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee. The United States Olympic contingent is additionally the only Olympic contingent in the world to receive no government funding; neither training and development costs nor prize money are provided by the U.S. national government.[14][15][16][17][18]

## History

[edit]

Main article: History of sports in the United States

A Grand entry at the 2018 Boswell FFA Rodeo in Boswell, Oklahoma.

American football, Arena football, baseball, softball, and indoor soccer evolved out of older British (Rugby football, British baseball, Rounders, and association football) sports.[19] However, basketball, volleyball, beach volleyball, racquetball, pickleball, skateboarding, snowboarding, Ultimate, wind-surfing, and Water Skiing are fully American inventions,[19] some of which have become popular in other countries and worldwide.[20]

Up until the American Civil War, cricket was a somewhat popular sport in the United States, with presidents such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln having played or watched the game.[21][22] However, cricket at the time was a sport played over several days, and during the Civil War, troops preferred to play the newly rising game of baseball, which was much shorter in duration and did not require a special playing surface to be played.[23][24]

## Olympics

[edit]

Main article: United States at the Olympics

Michael Phelps celebrates after winning his eighth gold medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics

Francis Olympic Field of Washington University in St. Louis, site of the 1904 Olympic Games

American athletes have won a total of 2,764 medals (1,105 of them gold) at the Summer Olympic Games and another 330 (114 of them gold) at the Winter Olympic Games, making the United States the most prolific medal-winning nation in the history of the Olympics. The U.S. is ranked first in the all-time medal table even if all the incarnations of Russia and Germany are combined, leading the second-placed Russians by 430 gold and 957 total medals. These achievements are even more impressive considering the fact that the American Olympic team remains the only in the world to receive no government funding.[25][16][18]

The United States hosted both Summer and Winter Games in 1932, and has hosted more Games than any other country – eight times, four times each for the Summer and Winter Games:

* The 1904 Summer Olympics in St. Louis, 1932 Summer Olympics and 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles; and the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta;
* The 1932 Winter Olympics and 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York; the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California; and the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympics for a third time in 2028. Salt Lake City will host the Winter Olympics for a second time in 2034, marking the tenth Olympics hosted in the United States.

The United States has won the most gold and overall medals in the Summer Olympic Games, even if the medal totals of the Soviet Union/CIS and Russia are combined, and has topped the medal table 19 times.[26] The country has won the second most gold and overall medals in the Winter Olympic Games, behind Norway, but has topped the medal table only one time, in 1932. If all of Germany's and Russia's incarnations are combined, the United States slips to fourth in the all-time Winter Olympic Games table.

## Individual sports

[edit]

### Golf

[edit]

Main article: Golf in the United States

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (October 2023)

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Jack Nicklaus is widely regarded as the greatest golfer of all time, winning a total of 18 career major championships.

Mickey Wright, often regarded as one of the most dominant players in the history of women's golf

Golf is one of the most popular participation sports in the United States, with approximately 24 million people playing golf on a regular basis as of 2023.[27] Golf's origins can be traced back to 15th century Scotland, where players would hit a pebble around sandy dunes using a stick or primitive club. The game has evolved over centuries into the version played today, which involves hitting a small, dimpled ball into each hole on a course in as few strokes as possible.

Introduced to America in the late 19th century, it quickly gained favor among the upper class. The United States Golf Association was founded in 1894 to establish rules. Iconic courses like Augusta National and Pebble Beach have hosted legendary tournaments.

Since the 1970s, the landscape of golf in the United States has seen significant advancements, particularly in the recognition of female players. This has been highlighted by increased support for women's golf programs, the expansion of women's tournaments, and greater representation of female golfers at all levels of the sport.[28] Babe Zaharias won 10 major championships and was an Olympic gold medalist. Nancy Lopez claimed 48 LPGA Tour titles, including three majors, in the 1970s and 1980s. Patty Berg, a founding member of the LPGA, won 15 majors. Juli Inkster, a two-time Solheim Cup captain, captured seven major championships. More recently, Lexi Thompson has emerged as a top player, winning multiple LPGA events, including a major championship.

In 2020, nearly 25 million people or around 8% of the total population of the U.S., played golf on a golf course in the United States, according to the National Golf Foundation.[29]

### Boxing

[edit]

Main article: Boxing in the United States

Claressa Shields, professional boxer and professional mixed martial artist.

The United States became the center of professional boxing in the early 20th century.[30] The National Boxing Association was founded in 1921 and began to sanction title fights. One of the most iconic figures is Rocky Marciano, who remains the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated. Holding the World Heavyweight title from 1952 to 1956, Marciano’s aggressive style and unyielding determination made him a legend in the sport. Another prominent figure is Jack Dempsey, a heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926, known for his fierce, fast-paced fighting style that captivated fans and made him one of the most popular athletes of his time. Joe Louis was an American professional boxer who competed from 1934 to 1951. He reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1937 to 1949, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all-time.[31][32][33][34] Louis is widely regarded as the first person of African-American descent to achieve the status of a nationwide hero within the United States, and was also a focal point of anti-Nazi sentiment leading up to and during World War II.[35] Floyd Patterson, who became the youngest boxer to win the world heavyweight title at age 21, also left a lasting impact on the sport, defending his title in the early 1960s. Since the late 1990s, boxing has declined in popularity.[36][37][38]

Boxing in the 21st century has experienced a decline in mainstream appeal, largely due to the rise of mixed martial arts (MMA) and the dominance of other major sports. The sport faces several challenges, including a fragmented organizational structure, safety concerns for athletes, and ongoing controversies surrounding matches and governance. Despite these issues, boxing continues to maintain a dedicated fanbase and remains a significant part of American sports culture. As of 2021, boxing participation in the United States reached approximately 6.7 million people, indicating a robust growth in the sport's popularity.[39]

Women, however, were largely excluded from the professional scene for much of boxing's early history, as the sport was dominated by men. Women made significant strides in boxing in the late 20th century, with Christy Martin leading the way in the 1990s. Known as "The Coal Miner’s Daughter." Her success opened doors for more female athletes. In the 21st century, champions like Laila Ali, the daughter of Muhammad Ali, and Claressa Shields further elevated women's boxing

## Popular team sports

[edit]

Main article: Professional sports leagues in the United States

### Overview

[edit]

The most popular team sports in the United States are American football, baseball, basketball, ice hockey, and soccer. All five of these team sports are popular with fans, are widely watched on television, have a fully professional league, are played by millions of Americans, enjoy varsity status at many Division I colleges, and are played in high schools throughout the country.

Location of the franchises (teams) of the big five leagues in United States and Canada. Sport | Favorite spectator
sport[40] | TV viewing
record
(since 2010)1 | Major
professional
league | Participants
(millions)[41] | NCAA DI Teams
(men + women) | States
(HS)2

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Football | 41% | 127.7 million | NFL | 8.9 million  | 249 (249M + 0W) | 51
Baseball | 10% | 40.0 million | MLB | 11.5 million | 589 (298M + 291W) | 49
Basketball | 9% | 30.8 million | NBA | 24.4 million | 698 (351M + 349W) | 51
Soccer | 5% | 29.3 million | MLS | 13.6 million | 531 (205M + 332W) | 51
Ice hockey | 4% | 43.6 million | NHL | 3.1 million | 102 (61M + 41W) | 20

1. TV viewing record measures the game with the most TV viewers in the U.S. since 2005 for each sport: 2025 Super Bowl,[42] 2016 NBA Finals Game 7,[43] 2016 World Series Game 7,[44] 2014 FIFA World Cup Final,[45] and 2010 Winter Olympics Gold medal ice hockey game.[46]
2. The column titled "States (HS)" represents the number of states that sponsor the sport at the high school level. For the purpose of this table, Washington, D.C. is counted as a state.[47]

The five most popular sports teams on Instagram from the United States as of October 4, 2024:[48][49][50][51][52]

# | Team | Sport | Followers

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1 | Golden State Warriors | Basketball | 32.4 million
2 | Los Angeles Lakers | Basketball | 24.6 million
3 | Inter Miami | Soccer | 17.1 million
4 | Cleveland Cavaliers | Basketball | 16.5 million
5 | Chicago Bulls | Basketball | 10.1 million

### American football

[edit]

Main article: American football in the United States

Football has the most participants of any sport at both high school and college levels, the vast majority of its participants being male.[53][54] Millions watch college football throughout the fall months, and some communities, particularly in rural areas, place great emphasis on their local high school football teams.

College football in the 20th century grew from a regional sport into a national phenomenon. In the early years (1900-1940s), the game gained popularity with top schools like Yale and Harvard, and conferences such as the Big Ten and SEC were formed. The popularity of college and high school football in areas such as the Southern United States (Southeastern Conference) and the Great Plains (Big 12 Conference and Big Ten Conference) stems largely from the fact that these areas historically generally did not possess markets large enough for a professional team.[55] The first major bowl game, the Rose Bowl, was played in 1902, and the sport's popularity increased with television broadcasts in the 1950s. From the 1950s to the 1970s, legendary coaches like Bear Bryant and Knute Rockne shaped the game, and the integration of African American players began to break racial barriers. The 1980s and 1990s saw the rise of powerhouse teams such as Miami and Nebraska, while the BCS system was introduced to determine the national champion. By the end of the century, college football had become a major part of American culture, with game days and traditions uniting fans and communities across the nation. Nonetheless, college football has a rich history in the United States, predating the NFL by decades, and fans and alumni are generally very passionate about their teams.

The Dallas Cowboys playing against the Broncos in Super Bowl XII.

The NFL has the highest average attendance (67,591) of any professional sports league in the world and has the highest revenue[56] out of any single professional sports league.[57] The NFL has two conferences, the AFC and the NFC. The AFC has 4 divisions (AFC East, AFC North, AFC South, and AFC West). The NFC also has 4 divisions (NFC East, NFC North, NFC South, and NFC West.) Each division has 4 teams, with a total of 32 teams in the NFL.[58]

The NFL's New England Patriots vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The National Football League (NFL) in the 20th century underwent significant development, transforming from a regional league to a dominant force in American sports. Established in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), it was renamed the NFL in 1922. Early years were marked by organizational instability and competition with other football leagues. However, the 1930s saw key innovations such as the introduction of the NFL Draft and a championship game, which contributed to the league's growing popularity. The 1950s and 1960s marked a period of expansion, with television broadcasts increasing national exposure. The creation of the Super Bowl in 1967, following the merger between the NFL and the American Football League (AFL), solidified the league's prominence. The 1970s saw further expansion and the rise of dominant teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the 1980s and 1990s were characterized by increased commercialization, lucrative television contracts, and the emergence of star players. By the end of the 20th century, the NFL had firmly established itself as the most popular sport in the United States, with the Super Bowl becoming one of the most-watched events globally. During the 20th century, several star players helped shape the NFL's growth and popularity. Some of the most notable include: Red Grange, Johnny Unitas, Jim Brown, Vince Lombardi, Joe Namath and Terry Bradshaw.

### Basketball

[edit]

Main article: Basketball in the United States

Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson 1997

Many players and analysts have called Stephen Curry the greatest shooter in NBA history.[59]

Sue Bird, a member of the All-Decade and Top 15 teams from the WNBA.

In high school basketball, Indiana has 10 of the 12 largest high school gyms in the United States,[60] and is famous for its basketball passion, known as Hoosier Hysteria.

Of those Americans citing their favorite sport, basketball is ranked second (counting amateur levels) behind football.[61] However, in regards to revenue the NBA is ranked third in popularity.[62] More Americans play basketball than any other team sport, according to the National Sporting Goods Association, with over 26 million Americans playing basketball. Basketball was invented in 1891 by Canadian physical education teacher James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the world's premier professional basketball league[63] and one of the major professional sports leagues of North America. It contains 30 teams (29 teams in the U.S. and 1 in Canada) that play an 82-game season from October to June. After the regular season, eight teams from each conference compete in the playoffs for the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. Professional basketball is most followed in cities where there are no other sports teams in the four major professional leagues, such as in the case of the Oklahoma City Thunder,[64] the Sacramento Kings, the San Antonio Spurs, the Memphis Grizzlies, or the Portland Trail Blazers.

NBA began in 1946 with the formation of the Basketball Association of America (BAA), which merged with the National Basketball League (NBL) in 1949 to create the NBA. The league initially faced challenges related to finances and public interest. However, the 1950s saw the rise of George Mikan, a dominant center for the Minneapolis Lakers, whose success helped establish the league’s credibility. In the 1960s, the NBA gained wider popularity, driven by the fierce rivalry between the Boston Celtics, led by Bill Russell, and the Los Angeles Lakers, featuring stars like Jerry West and Elgin Baylor.

The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is the premier professional women's basketball league in the United States, founded in 1996. The league consists of 12 teams and runs from May to September, with playoffs to determine the champion. Notable players include Diana Taurasi, Sue Bird, Lisa Leslie, and Maya Moore. Although historically lower-paying than the NBA, the WNBA has seen improvements in player salaries and sponsorships in recent years. Many players also compete overseas during the off-season to supplement their income. The league features a blend of American and international talent, with players from countries like Australia, Bosnia, and Canada making significant contributions. The WNBA has played a key role in promoting women's professional sports in the U.S. and continues to grow in popularity.

### Baseball

[edit]

Main article: Baseball in the United States

Babe Ruth, circa 1920. He achieved his greatest fame as a home run batter for the New York Yankees

Ted Williams, one of the greatest hitters in baseball history

Mickey Mantle, New York Yankees centerfielder, in 1953.

Jackie Robinson became the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era.

Baseball and a variant, softball, are popular participatory sports in the U.S. Baseball was the first professional sport in the United States.[65][66][67] The highest level of baseball in the U.S. and the world is Major League Baseball. There are a total of 30 MLB teams. The World Series of Major League Baseball is the culmination of the sport's postseason each October. It is played between the winner of each of the two leagues, the American League and the National League, and the winner is determined through a best-of-seven playoff.

The New York Yankees are noted for having won more titles than any other U.S. major professional sports franchise. The Yankees' chief rivals, the Boston Red Sox, also enjoy a huge following in Boston and throughout New England. The Philadelphia Phillies of the National League are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports,[68] and enjoy a fanbase renowned for their rabid support of their team throughout Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, and have famously been dubbed as the "Meanest Fans in America".[69]

Every four years in March, the World Baseball Classic is held, which is the national team game, the most popular baseball national team game.[70] In the 20th century, MLB became a defining part of American culture. The century began with the formation of the American League in 1901, creating a two-league system with the National League. The first World Series was held in 1903. The Black Sox Scandal of 1919, in which several Chicago White Sox players were accused of fixing the World Series, led to the creation of the Commissioner of Baseball role to enforce stricter oversight. The 1920s and 1930s were marked by the dominance of Babe Ruth, whose power hitting changed the way the game was played, and the Yankees became a dominant force in baseball. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier, becoming the first African American player in MLB, marking a pivotal moment in both sports and civil rights. The 1950s and 1960s saw MLB expand with the relocation of teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants to California, while stars like Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, and Willie Mays became household names. The 1970s brought the rise of the Cincinnati Reds’ Big Red Machine, and the 1980s and 1990s saw the league’s financial growth and the rise of free agency. Despite the 1994 strike that canceled the World Series, the 1998 home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa revived interest in the sport. By the end of the century, MLB had firmly established itself as America’s pastime, with a rich history shaped by legendary players and transformative events.

Women have played an important role in the development of both baseball and softball. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), established during World War II, provided opportunities for women in baseball, with players like Dottie Kamenshek, often considered one of the league's greatest players. In addition, softball has become a prominent sport for women, with the inclusion of women’s softball in the Olympics since 1996, and athletes like Jennie Finch, who became one of the most recognized softball pitchers in the world, helping to elevate the sport's visibility.

### Soccer

[edit]

Main article: Soccer in the United States

The United States women's soccer team in a friendly match against Japan in 2019.

The United States men's soccer team in a friendly match against Belgium in 2013

With an average attendance of over 21,000 per game (prior to COVID-19), Major League Soccer has the third-highest average attendance of any sports league in the U.S. after the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB),[71] and is the ninth-highest attended professional soccer league worldwide.[72]

The NWSL most recently expanded to 14 teams in 2024 and is expected to add a 15th team in 2026.[73]

In 2024, the NWSL received competition as a top-level league with the launch of the USL Super League (USLS), which started play with 8 teams. Shortly before its first season, USLS received Division I sanctioning from the U.S. Soccer Federation, placing it at the same level as the NWSL. Unlike most U.S. soccer leagues, USLS is playing a fall-to-spring season, in line with most European leagues and the sport's international calendar.[74]

The Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) is a North American professional indoor soccer league. MASL is the highest level of arena soccer in the North America and the world.[75]

### Ice hockey

[edit]

Main article: Ice hockey in the United States

Left: The Blackhawks have donned Camouflage practice jerseys for Veterans Day to show support for servicemen since 2009.
Right: The New York Rangers attempt to distract during the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs. The playoff series was the fifth to feature the Devils–Rangers rivalry.

The U.S. now has more youth hockey players than all other countries, excluding Canada, combined.[76] USA Hockey is the official governing body for organized ice hockey in the United States. The United States Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Eveleth, Minnesota.

The U.S.-based National Hockey League is the premier hockey league in the world. Historically, the vast majority of NHL players had come from Canada, with a small number of Americans. As late as 1969–70, Canadian players made up 95 percent of the league.[76]

However, the modern NHL has a much larger percentage of American players. At the start of the 2023–24 NHL season, American players made up 29.1 percent of the league, compared to 41.7 percent from Canada and 29.2 percent from various European countries.[77]

### Calendar of the major men's and women's professional sports leagues in the U.S.

[edit]

January  | February  | March  | April  | May  | June  | July  | August  | September  | October  | November  | December

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NFL (Football)  |  |  |  |  |  |  | NFL (Football)
|  | MLB (Baseball)  |
NBA (Basketball)  |  |  |  | NBA (Basketball)
| MLS (Soccer)
NHL (Ice hockey)  |  |  |  | NHL (Ice hockey)
January  | February  | March  | April  | May  | June  | July  | August  | September  | October  | November  | December

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|  | NWSL (Soccer)  |
|  |  |  | WNBA (Basketball)  |  |  |
PWHL (Ice hockey)  |  |  |  |  |  |  | PWHL (Ice hockey)

## Other team sports

[edit]

### Overview

[edit]

The following table shows additional sports that are played by over 500,000 people in the United States.

Sport | Participants
(millions) | NCAA teams
(men + women)[78] | Pro
league(s) | Attendance
record1 | TV Viewership
record2 | Olympic
sport

|
|
|
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|
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Volleyball | 10.7 million[41] | 1,122
(155M + 1,067W) | NVA; PVF | 92,003 | 794,000 | Yes
Rugby union | 1.4 million[79] | over 600
(go to college rugby) | MLR, PR7s | 61,500 | 9,000,000 | Yes
Lacrosse | 0.7 million[80] | 921
(397M + 524W) | NLL; PLL | 52,004 | 476,000 | Yes

1. Attendance record measures highest single-game attendances. Attendance records are: Volleyball: 2023 Volleyball Day in Nebraska at Memorial Stadium, Lincoln;[81] Rugby: 2014 New Zealand vs. Ireland in Chicago;[82] and Lacrosse: 2007 NCAA Division I men's championship semifinals.[83]
2. TV viewership records are: Volleyball: 2010 NCAA women's championship on ESPN2; Rugby: 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens on NBC; Lacrosse: 2016 NCAA championship on ESPN2

### Lacrosse

[edit]

Women playing lacrosse.

Main article: Lacrosse in the United States

Lacrosse is a team sport that is believed to have originated with the Iroquois and the Lenape. The sport is most popular in the East Coast area from Maryland to New York. While its roots remain east, lacrosse is currently the fastest growing sport in the nation.[84] The National Lacrosse League is the professional Box lacrosse league, while the Premier Lacrosse League is the professional Field Lacrosse league. Major League Lacrosse was a semi-professional Field Lacrosse league that was operating nationally before merging into PLL in 2020.[85]

### Volleyball

[edit]

Main article: Volleyball in the United States

The U.S. Women's Volleyball team in 2008.

Volleyball is played in the United States, especially at the college and university levels.[original research?] Unlike most Olympic sports which are sponsored widely at the collegiate level for both sexes, the women's college volleyball teams are more common than men's college volleyball teams. In the 2011–12 school year, over 300 schools in NCAA Division I alone (the highest of three NCAA tiers) sponsored women's volleyball at the varsity level,[86] while fewer than 100 schools in all three NCAA divisions combined sponsored varsity men's volleyball, with only 23 of them in Division I.[87] Men's volleyball has grown at the non-scholarship NCAA Division III level in the 21st century, with a national championship established in 2012. As of the most recent 2022 season (2021–22 school year), 113 schools sponsor the sport at that level. At the same time, 26 D-I and 31 D-II members sponsored men's volleyball at the National Collegiate level, defined for the purposes of that sport as the combination of Divisions I and II.[88][note 1] The National Volleyball Association is the professional men's volleyball league, while the Pro Volleyball Federation is the professional women's volleyball league.

### Rugby union

[edit]

Main article: Rugby union in the United States

A scrum showing the body positions of the forwards, as well as both scrum-halves and the referee.

Rugby union participation in the U.S. has grown significantly in recent years, growing by 350% between 2004 and 2011.[89] A 2010 survey by the National Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association ranked rugby union as the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.[90]

Rugby union is the fastest growing college sport and sport in general in the United States.[91][92][93]

### Minor sports

[edit]

* Australian rules football in the United States
* Bandy in the United States
* Cricket in the United States
* Field hockey in the United States
* Handball in the United States
* Rugby league in the United States

## Organization of American sports

[edit]

### College sports

[edit]

Main article: College athletics in the United States

University of Notre Dame and University of Southern California take the field in the 79th edition of the rivalry.

Harvard men's eight at Henley, 2004

The most practiced college sports, measured by NCAA reporting on varsity team participation,[94] are: (1) football (64,000), (2) baseball/softball (47,000), (3) track and field (46,000),[95] (4) soccer (43,000), (5) basketball (32,000), (6) cross-country running (25,000), and (7) swimming/diving (20,000). The most popular sport among female athletes is soccer, followed closely by track and field.[54]

### High school sports

[edit]

High school cheerleaders. Whether cheerleading constitutes an actual sport is a major source of contention in the U.S. Majorette.

Most public high schools are members of their respective state athletic association, and those associations are members of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS). Some states have separate associations for public and non-public high schools.

The 2018–19 school year was the first in 30 years to see a decrease in high school sports participation. Increases through the previous decades had been largely driven by growth in girls' participation.[96] The high school sports with the highest number of participants for 2018–19 are:

Team sports[96]

1. Football[hs 1] – 1,008,417
2. Basketball – 939,836
3. Baseball/Softball[hs 2] – 854,859
4. Soccer – 853,182
5. Volleyball – 516,371

Individual sports[96]

1. Track & field (outdoor) – 1,093,621
2. Cross country – 488,640
3. Tennis – 348,750
4. Swimming & diving – 309,726
5. Wrestling – 268,565

Notes

1. ^ 11-man football only. An additional 31,421 students played in variants with reduced team sizes (6-man, 8-man, 9-man).
2. ^ Softball totals include fast-pitch and slow-pitch variants, with more than 98% of all softball players participating in fast-pitch.

Popular high school sports in various regions of the U.S. include the Texas High School football championships, the Indiana basketball championships, and ice hockey in Minnesota. The Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament is the largest high school sporting event in the country, with average attendance to the top tier, or "AA", games over 18,000.[97]

## Sports media in the United States

[edit]

See also: List of TV markets and major sports teams in the United States

Half time show at the game between Frisco High vs. Centennial football game.

Sports have been a major part of American broadcasting since the early days of radio.[98] Today, television networks and radio networks pay millions (sometimes billions) of dollars for the rights to broadcast sporting events. Contracts between leagues and broadcasters stipulate how often games must be interrupted for commercials. Because of all of the advertisements, broadcasting contracts are very lucrative and account for the biggest chunk of major professional teams' revenues. Broadcasters also covet the television contracts for the major sports leagues (especially in the case of the NFL) in order to amplify their ability to promote their programming to the audience, especially young and middle-aged adult males.[99]

A group of high school marching bands performs at the halftime show of the 2006 Chick-fil-A Bowl.

The advent of cable and satellite television has greatly expanded sports offerings on American TV.[100] ESPN, the first all-sports cable network in the U.S., went on the air in 1979. It has been followed by several sister networks and competitors. Some sports television networks are national, such as CBS Sports Network and Fox Sports 1, whereas others are regional, such as NBC Sports Regional Networks, Bally Sports and Spectrum Sports.[101] General entertainment channels like TBS, TNT, and USA Network also air sports events. Some sports leagues have their own sports networks, such as NFL Network, MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, Big Ten Network, Pac-12 Network and SEC Network. Some sports teams run their own television networks as well.[102]

Sports are also widely broadcast at the local level, ranging from college and professional sports down to (on some smaller stations) recreational and youth leagues.[100] Internet radio has allowed these broadcasts to reach a worldwide audience.

U.S. TV sports rights  Sports rights | Sport | National TV contract | Total Revenues | Revenues per year | Ref

|
|
|
|
|

National Football League (NFL) | American football | CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN,
YouTube, Verizon, Amazon | $56 billion | $7 billion |
National Basketball Association (NBA) | Basketball | ABC/ESPN, TNT/Max | $24 billion | $2.7 billion | [103]
Major League Baseball (MLB) | Baseball | Fox, ESPN, TBS/Max, Peacock | $12 billion | $1.6 billion |
March Madness | Basketball | CBS, Turner/Max | $8.8 billion | $1.1 billion |
Big Ten Conference
(Big Ten or B1G) | College sports | Fox, NBC, CBS | $7.0 billion | $1.0 billion | [104]
NASCAR | Auto racing | NBC/USA, Fox, TNT/Max, Amazon | $8.2 billion | $820 million |
Olympic Games | Multi-sport | NBC | $7.8 billion | $705 million |
College Football Playoff | American football | ESPN, TBS/TNT/Max | $5.6 billion | $470 million |
National Hockey League (NHL) | Ice hockey | ABC, ESPN, TNT/Max | $4.445 billion | $635 million | [105]
Pac-12 Conference
(Pac-12) | College sports | Fox | $3.0 billion | $250 million |
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) | College sports | ESPN | $0.8 billion | $55 million |
Big 12 Conference
(Big 12) | College sports | Fox, ESPN | $2.6 billion | $200 million |
Major League Soccer (MLS) | Soccer | MLS Season Pass (Apple TV), Fox | $2.5 billion | $250 million | [106]
U.S. Open (golf) | Golf | NBC | $1.1 billion | $93 million |
FIFA World Cup | Soccer | Fox, Telemundo | $1.0 billion | $125 million |
English Premier League | Soccer | NBC | $1.0 billion | $167 million |
Southeastern Conference (SEC) | College sports | ESPN, ABC | $0.8 billion | $55 million |
US Open (tennis) | Tennis | ESPN | $0.8 billion | $70 million |
World Baseball Classic (WBC) | Baseball | Fox | N/A | N/A |
IndyCar Series | Auto Racing | Fox, Tubi | N/A | N/A |

## Most popular sports in the United States

[edit]

In the broadest definition of sports—physical recreation of all sorts—the United States Census Bureau, in 2007, found the four most popular sports among the general population of the United States are exercise walking (90 million), exercising with equipment (53 million), swimming (52 million) and camping (47 million). The most popular competitive sport (and fifth most popular recreational sport) is bowling (43 million). Other popular sports included fishing (35 million), bicycling (37 million), weightlifting (33 million), aerobics (30 million), and hiking (28 million).[107]

According to a January 2018 poll by Gallup, 37% of Americans consider football their favorite spectator sport, while 11% prefer basketball, 9% baseball, and 7% soccer. There is some variation by viewer demographics. Men show a stronger preference for football than women, conservatives a stronger preference than liberals, and those over 35 a stronger preference than those under 35. In all groups, however, football is still the most popular. Basketball and soccer are more popular among liberals than conservatives.[108]

For three years in a row, 2021, 2022 and 2023 pickleball was named the fastest growing sport in the United States by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA).[109][110][111] Between 2019 and 2023, the SFIA estimated the number of US players increased almost 223% to 13.6 million. In March 2023 the Association of Pickleball Players estimated the number of US pickleball players in the previous 12 months had surpassed 48 million.[112]

## Sports leagues in the United States

[edit]

The following table shows the major sports leagues, professional and collegiate, which average over 15,000 fans per game and that have a national TV contract that pays rights fees.

League | Sport | Teams | National TV contract | Average
Attendance | Total Annual
Attendance | Ref

|
|
|
|
|
|

Major League Baseball (MLB) | Baseball | 30 | Fox, FS1, ESPN, TBS, MLBN | 28,187 | 68,494,752 | [113]
National Basketball Association (NBA) | Basketball | 30 | ABC, ESPN, TNT, NBATV | 17,857 | 21,964,447 | [114]
National Hockey League (NHL) | Ice hockey | 32 | ABC, ESPN, TNT, NHLN | 17,500 | 21,525,777 | [115]
National Football League (NFL) | American football | 32 | CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, NFLN | 67,100 | 17,177,581 | [116]
Major League Soccer (MLS) | Soccer | 30 | Apple, Fox, Univision | 22,111 | 10,900,804 | [117]
Southeastern Conference (SEC)  | American football | 16  | ABC, ESPN  | 77,334 | 7,501,356 | [118]
Big Ten Conference (B1G)  | American football | 18  | CBS, NBC, Fox  | 66,788 | 6,344,869
Big 12 Conference (XII)  | American football | 16  | ESPN, Fox  | 54,394 | 5,004,208
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)  | American football | 17  | ABC, ESPN  | 49,130 | 4,519,993
Pac-12 Conference (PAC)  | American football | 2  | ABC, ESPN, Fox  | 48,633 | 3,842,002
American Athletic Conference (The American)  | American football | 14  | ABC, ESPN  | 23,820 | 2,096,138
Mountain West Conference (MW)  | American football | 12  | CBS, Fox Sports  | 23,223 | 1,741,746
Sun Belt Conference (Sun Belt)  | American football | 14  | ESPN  | 20,837 | 1,771,134
Conference USA

(CUSA)

| American football | 10  | CBS-SN, ESPN  | 15,860 | 872,274

## See also

[edit]

Portals:

* Sports
* United States

* Race and sports in the United States
* Women's sports in the United States
* Youth sports in the United States
* Homosexuality in sports in the United States
* Sports Museum of America
* Sports in the United States by state
* Professional sports in the Western United States
* Record attendances in United States club soccer
* Western sports
* Sports in Canada
* Sport in the United Kingdom

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The NCAA officially labels all championship events that are open to members of more than one NCAA division as "National Collegiate" championships. The only exception to this rule is in men's ice hockey, whose championship event remains branded as the "Division I" championship because the NCAA formerly sponsored a D-II championship in that sport.

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## Further reading

[edit]

* Barbour, R. H. (1870-1944) A very prolific writer of sport stories four young people, many stories available on line through his Wikipedia page.
* Dubois, Daniel. American Sport in International History: The United States and the World Since 1865 (Bloomsbury, 2023). ISBN 978-1-350-13472-0
* Gerdy, John R. Sports: The All-American Addiction (2002) online
* Gorn, Elliott J. A Brief History of American Sports (2004)
* Harris, Othello, George Kirsch, et al. eds. Encyclopedia of Ethnicity and Sports in the United States (2000)
* Jackson III, Harvey H. ed. The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture: Sports & Recreation (2011) online
* Jay, Kathryn. More Than Just a Game: Sports in American Life since 1945 (2004). online
* Reiss, Steven A. ed. Sports in America from Colonial Times to the Twenty-First Century: An Encyclopedia (3 vol 2011)

## External links

[edit]

* Media related to Sports in the United States at Wikimedia Commons

* v
* t
* e

Sports in the United States

By state / territory|

| Midwest|

* Illinois
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Missouri
* Nebraska
* North Dakota
* Ohio
* South Dakota
* Wisconsin

|

Northeast|

* Connecticut
* Delaware
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* New Hampshire
* New Jersey
* New York
* Pennsylvania
* Rhode Island
* Vermont
* Washington, D.C.

South|

* Alabama
* Arkansas
* Florida
* Georgia
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Mississippi
* North Carolina
* Oklahoma
* South Carolina
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Virginia
* West Virginia

West|

* Alaska
* Arizona
* California
* Colorado
* Hawaii
* Idaho
* Montana
* Nevada
* New Mexico
* Oregon
* Utah
* Washington
* Wyoming

Territories|

* American Samoa
* Guam
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Puerto Rico
* U.S. Virgin Islands

Major team sports|

* American football
* NFL
* Baseball
* MLB
* Basketball
* NBA/WNBA
* Ice hockey
* NHL/PWHL
* Rugby
* MLR
* Soccer
* MLS/NWSL
* Lacrosse
* NLL/PLL
* Softball
* Volleyball
* NVA/PVF

Major individual sports|

* Bowling
* Boxing
* Bull riding
* Golf
* Gymnastics
* Horse racing
* Thoroughbred
* Harness
* Steeplechase
* Ice skating
* Mixed martial arts
* Motorsport
* Swimming
* Surfing
* Tennis
* Winter sports
* Wrestling
* X Games

Minor sports|

* Australian rules football
* Badminton
* Bodybuilding
* Cricket
* Cycling
* Disc golf
* Fishing
* Futsal
* Field hockey
* Gaelic football
* Handball
* Judo
* Karate
* Netball
* Pickleball
* Polo
* Roller derby
* Rowing
* Ultimate
* Water polo

International
sporting
competitions|

* World Baseball Classic
* Basketball World Cup
* Cricket World Cup
* FIFA Confederations Cup
* FIFA World Cup
* Rugby League World Cup
* Rugby World Cup

Multi-sport
events

* Olympics
* Pan American Games
* Paralympics
* Parapan American Games
* Deaflympics
* Maccabiah
* Senior Olympics
* World Senior Games
* World University Games

* United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee
* History
* Law
* Major professional sports leagues

* v
* t
* e

United States

History|

| By period|

* 1776–1789
* 1789–1815
* 1815–1849
* 1849–1865
* 1865–1917
* 1917–1945
* 1945–1964
* 1964–1980
* 1980–1991
* 1991–2016
* 2016–present

|

By event|

* Pre-colonial era
* Colonial era
* Stamp Act Congress
* Thirteen Colonies
* Continental Congress
* Continental Association
* United Colonies
* military history
* Founding Fathers
* Halifax Resolves
* Lee Resolution
* Declaration of Independence
* American Revolution
* War
* Treaty of Paris
* Articles of Confederation
* Perpetual Union
* Confederation period
* American frontier
* Constitution
* drafting and ratification
* Bill of Rights
* Federalist Era
* War of 1812
* Territorial evolution
* Mexican–American War
* Civil War
* Reconstruction era
* Indian Wars
* Native genocide
* Gilded Age
* Progressive Era
* Women's suffrage
* Civil rights movement
* 1865–1896
* 1896–1954
* 1954–1968
* Spanish–American War
* Imperialism
* World War I
* Roaring Twenties
* Great Depression
* World War II
* home front
* American Century
* Cold War
* Korean War
* Space Race
* Feminist Movement
* LGBTQ Movement
* Vietnam War
* Post-Cold War (1991–2016)
* September 11 attacks
* War on Terror
* War in Afghanistan
* Iraq War
* Great Recession
* COVID-19 pandemic

By topic|

* Outline of U.S. history
* Demographic
* Discoveries
* Economic
* Inventions
* Military
* Postal
* Technological and industrial

Geography|

* Territory
* Contiguous United States
* counties
* federal district
* federal enclaves
* Indian reservations
* insular zones
* minor outlying islands
* populated places
* states
* Earthquakes
* Extreme points
* Islands
* Mountains
* peaks
* ranges
* Appalachian
* Rocky
* Sierra Nevada
* National Park Service
* National Parks
* Regions
* East Coast
* West Coast
* Great Plains
* Gulf
* Mid-Atlantic
* Midwestern
* New England
* Pacific
* Central
* Eastern
* Northern
* Northeastern
* Northwestern
* Southern
* Southeastern
* Southwestern
* Western
* Longest rivers
* Arkansas
* Colorado
* Columbia
* Mississippi
* Missouri
* Red (South)
* Rio Grande
* Yukon
* Time
* Water supply and sanitation
* World Heritage Sites

Politics|

| Federal|

| Executive|

* President of the United States
* powers
* Executive Office
* Vice President
* Cabinet
* Executive departments
* Independent agencies
* Intelligence Community
* Director of National Intelligence
* Central Intelligence Agency
* National Security Agency
* National Reconnaissance Office
* Law enforcement
* ATF
* CBP
* Diplomatic Security
* DEA
* FBI
* ICE
* Marshals
* Secret Service
* TSA
* Inspector generals
* Civil service
* Public policy

|

Legislative|

* House of Representatives
* current members
* Speaker
* Senate
* current members
* President pro tempore
* President
* Capitol Police
* Library of Congress
* Congressional Budget Office
* Government Accountability Office
* Government Publishing Office

Judicial|

* Supreme Court
* Chief Justice
* Associate Justices
* list
* Courts of appeals
* list of judges
* District courts/Territorial courts
* list of courts
* list of judges
* Other tribunals
* U.S. attorney

Law|

* Bill of Rights
* civil liberties
* Code of Federal Regulations
* Constitution
* federalism
* preemption
* separation of powers
* civil rights
* United States Code

Uniformed|

* Armed Forces
* Army
* Marine Corps
* Navy
* Air Force
* Space Force
* Coast Guard
* National Guard
* NOAA Corps
* Public Health Service Corps

State,
Federal District,
and Territorial|

| Executive|

* Governor
* list
* Lieutenant governor
* list
* Secretary of state
* Attorney general
* Treasurer
* Auditor/Comptroller
* Agriculture commissioner
* Insurance commissioner
* Public utilities commission
* State police
* list

|

Legislative|

* List of legislatures
* List of legislators

Judicial|

* Supreme courts
* Chief justices
* District attorney
* list

Law|

* State constitutions
* Statutory codes
* Uniform act
* Comparison of governments

Tribal|

* Tribal sovereignty
* Native American recognition in the United States
* Federally recognized tribes
* Federally recognized Alaska Native tribes
* State-recognized tribes
* Indian reservation
* list
* Hawaiian home land

Local|

| County|

* List of counties and county equivalents
* County executive
* Sheriff
* Clerk

|

Cities|

* Consolidated city-county
* Independent city
* Coterminous municipality
* Charter
* Mayor–council government
* Council–manager government
* City commission government
* Mayor
* City manager
* City council

Minor divisions|

* Township
* Town meeting

Special district|

* School district
* list

* Corruption
* Democratic backsliding
* Elections
* Electoral College
* Red states and blue states
* Foreign relations
* foreign policy
* Imperial presidency
* Ideologies
* Anti-Americanism
* exceptionalism
* nationalism
* Parties
* Democratic
* Republican
* Third parties
* Scandals

Economy|

* By sector
* Agriculture
* Banking
* Communications
* Companies
* Energy
* Insurance
* Manufacturing
* Mining
* Science and technology
* Tourism
* Trade
* by state
* Currency
* Exports
* Federal budget
* Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States
* Federal Reserve System
* Financial position
* Labor unions
* Public debt
* Social welfare programs
* Taxation
* Unemployment
* Wall Street

Transport|

* Aviation
* Driving
* Public transportation
* Rail transportation
* Transportation policy
* Transportation safety
* Trucking industry

Society|

| Culture|

* Americana
* Architecture
* Cinema
* Crime
* Cuisine
* Dance
* Demographics
* Economic issues
* affluence
* eviction
* homeownership
* household income
* income inequality
* middle class
* personal income
* poverty
* standard of living
* wealth
* working class
* Education
* attainment
* literacy
* Family
* Fashion
* Flag
* list
* Folklore
* Holidays
* Federal holidays
* Homelessness
* Housing
* Human rights
* Languages
* American English
* Indigenous languages
* ASL
* Literature
* Media
* journalism
* internet
* newspapers
* radio
* television
* Music
* Names
* National anthem
* National symbols
* Columbia
* Mount Rushmore
* Statue of Liberty
* Uncle Sam
* People
* Philosophy
* Political ideologies
* Race
* Religion
* Sexuality
* Social class
* Society
* Sports
* history
* Theater
* Transportation
* Video games
* Visual art

|

Social class|

* Affluence
* American Dream
* Educational attainment
* Homelessness
* Homeownership
* Household income
* Income inequality
* Middle class
* Personal income
* Poverty
* Standard of living

Health|

* Aging
* Healthcare
* Abortion
* Birth control
* Prenatal care
* Hospice care
* Immigrant health care
* Rationing
* Health care finance
* Health insurance costs
* Health care prices
* Prescription drug prices
* Disability
* Health insurance
* Food safety
* Physician shortage
* Poverty and health
* Race and health
* Obesity
* Medical deserts
* Women's reproductive health
* Life expectancy

Issues|

* Capital punishment
* Crime
* incarceration
* Criticism of government
* Discrimination
* affirmative action
* antisemitism
* intersex rights
* Islamophobia
* LGBTQ rights
* racism
* Native American
* African American
* Energy policy
* Environmental issues
* Environmental movement
* Climate change
* Gun politics
* Mass shootings
* Hunger
* Smoking
* Human rights
* Immigration
* illegal
* National security
* Terrorism
* Opioid epidemic
* Separation of church and state
* Xenophobia

* Outline
* Index

Category

* v
* t
* e

Sports governing bodies of the United States

Summer Olympic
sports|

* Aquatics
* Diving
* Swimming
* Water polo
* Athletics
* Badminton
* Basketball
* Baseball
* Boxing
* Cycling
* Equestrian
* Fencing
* Field Hockey
* Gymnastics
* Handball
* Judo
* Rugby Union
* Rowing
* Sailing
* Soccer
* Softball
* Shooting
* Table Tennis
* Taekwondo
* Tennis
* Triathlon
* Volleyball
* Weightlifting
* Wrestling

Winter Olympic
sports|

* Biathlon
* Bobsleigh
* Curling
* Figure skating
* Ice hockey
* Skeleton
* Skiing & Snowboarding

Other sports|

* American football
* Air sports
* Australian rules football
* Auto racing
* Backgammon
* Bandy
* Bowling
* Bridge
* Chess
* Cricket
* Golf
* Disc golf
* Floorball
* Karate
* Kendo
* Lacrosse
* Lawn bowls
* Lifesaving
* Netball
* Orienteering
* Pickleball
* Polo
* Powerboating
* Quidditch
* Roller sports
* Rugby League
* Snooker
* Sport climbing
* Squash
* Sumo
* Underwater sports
* Water ski
* Wushu

* United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee

* v
* t
* e

Sports in the Americas

Sovereign
states|

* Antigua and Barbuda
* Argentina
* Bahamas
* Barbados
* Belize
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Canada
* Chile
* Colombia
* Costa Rica
* Cuba
* Dominica
* Dominican Republic
* Ecuador
* El Salvador
* Grenada
* Guatemala
* Guyana
* Haiti
* Honduras
* Jamaica
* Mexico
* Nicaragua
* Panama
* Paraguay
* Peru
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Saint Lucia
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
* Suriname
* Trinidad and Tobago
* United States
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Dependencies
and territories|

* Anguilla
* Aruba
* Bermuda
* Bonaire
* British Virgin Islands
* Cayman Islands
* Curaçao
* Falkland Islands
* French Guiana
* Greenland
* Guadeloupe
* Martinique
* Montserrat
* Puerto Rico
* Saba
* Saint Barthélemy
* Saint Martin
* Saint Pierre and Miquelon
* Sint Eustatius
* Sint Maarten
* South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
* Turks and Caicos Islands
* U.S. Virgin Islands

* North America
* Central America
* Caribbean
*   *   *   * South America

* v
* t
* e

Sports in the World

* Albania
* Algeria
* Antigua and Barbuda
* Argentina
* Armenia
* Australia
* Bangladesh
* Barbados
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Belize
* Benin
* Bhutan
* Bolivia
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Botswana
* Brazil
* Brunei
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cambodia
* Cameroon
* Canada
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Chile
* China
* Colombia
* Croatia
* Cuba
* Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Dominican Republic
* Egypt
* El Salvador
* Estonia
* Ethiopia
* Federated States of Micronesia
* Fiji
* Finland
* France
* Georgia
* Germany
* Ghana
* Greece
* Guyana
* Haiti
* Honduras
* Iceland
* India
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Ireland
* Israel
* Italy
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kazakhstan
* Kenya
* Kuwait
* Latvia
* Lebanon
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Malawi
* Malaysia
* Mali
* Marshall Islands
* Mauritania
* Mexico
* Moldova
* Monaco
* Montenegro
* Morocco
* Namibia
* Nepal
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Nigeria
* North Korea
* North Macedonia
* Oman
* Pakistan
* Palestine
* Papua New Guinea
* Peru
* Philippines
* Poland
* Portugal
* Qatar
* Romania
* Russia
* Rwanda
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Saint Lucia
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
* Samoa
* San Marino
* Saudi Arabia
* Serbia
* Sierra Leone
* Singapore
* Slovenia
* Somalia
* South Africa
* South Korea
* South Sudan
* Spain
* Sri Lanka
* Sweden
* Switzerland
* Syria
* São Tomé and Príncipe
* Taiwan
* Tonga
* Trinidad and Tobago
* Tunisia
* Turkey
* Turkmenistan
* Uganda
* Ukraine
* United Kingdom
* United States
* Uruguay
* Uzbekistan
* Vanuatu
* Vatican City
* Venezuela
* Yemen
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe
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