Although it is very difficult to quantify the exact number of participation in sport worldwide, it is possible to give an overview of some of the most active sports using available research, although we are grateful that the list is open to debate.
- Football / Football
Few things can compete with football as a spectator game and this is also matched by the number of people participating in the game, either in the lower divisions, 5-a-side leagues or just playing for fun with friends. According to a global census conducted by FIFA, an estimated 265 million people play the game with more than five million referees, which is about 4% of the world's population.
- Badminton
It may come as a surprise to some people that badminton is one of the 10 most influential sports in the world. But badminton is the most popular house game, regularly played by an estimated 220 million people worldwide. It is very popular in Asia, with many of the best players.
- Hockey,
Hockey is played by men and women in more than 100 countries on 5 continents around the world. A strong favorite at the Olympic Games, field hockey is a high-tech sport, played by 10 outdoor athletes and goalkeepers and whose rules differ from Ice hockey.
- Volleyball
Originally from the United States, volleyball has an impressive worldwide participation rate of 998 million people. Indoor and outdoor versions of the game are played around the world, with more than 220 related national federations registered with the world governing body of volleyball.
- Basketball
The Federation of International Basketball Associations estimates that at least 450 million people play the game worldwide, either for fun or for organized competitions. World basketball greats, such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, have helped increase the popularity of the game worldwide from its American roots.
- Tennis
Known as one of the world's most popular personal games, tennis is played by an estimated 60 million men and women worldwide. The double version of the game is also very popular around the world, which is why it is ranked in the top 10 most active games.
- Cricket
Most of the participants in the game come from Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa and the UK, but cricket is also expanding to other countries around the world. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has identified 125 countries worldwide for the sport.
- Table tennis
The house game has become very popular over the years, being integrated into schools, community clubs and sports centers around the world. The Topmost Sports position also estimates that 300 million people worldwide take part in table tennis.
- Baseball
Historically baseball was more popular in America than anywhere else in the world, but the game is gaining popularity in other countries like Japan. Softball is a women's version of the game, and it is estimated by the World baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) that 65 million people play baseball or softball in more than 140 countries.
- Golf
Probably one of the most popular pastimes in the world, according to Golf Today, 60 million people worldwide regularly participate in the game. The definition of regular golf in these figures is equivalent to participating in one round of golf per year, or using an area such as driving.
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