Sports are something that millions of people across Europe are interested in, which has been the case for decades. And, like anything else, some sports are more popular than others. So, which rank higher than the rest in the popularity stakes in Europe right now?
Football
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, football is the most popular, which is underlined by the media coverage and sponsorship as well as the activity generated by the leading sports betting operators in the business. Football is something that many will play in real life or the virtual world, and they’ll watch, live or on television. There are leagues and competitions across the whole of Europe, with the European Champions League the greatest club competition on the planet and the English Premier League the most competitive division.
Boxing
Like football, boxing has been popular for what seems like forever, but its popularity has recently skyrocketed once again. For a long time, the leading fighters have been renowned for coming from the US, but Europe is proving it’s more than capable of producing world champions, which has helped increase the sport’s popularity once again. Big boxing shows happen in the UK and other parts of Europe, and more world champions are coming through, so the future looks bright for boxing, and it will remain the go-to for many.
Cricket
A trend that people will notice reading the sports included in this list is that each sport mentioned has a rich history, which means it’s been popular from generation to generation. But, what you could argue about cricket is that while it does honour tradition and respects how it got to be the sport it is, it’s also evolved over time, enabling it to attract a whole new audience and increase its popularity tenfold. It’s currently one of Europe’s fastest-growing sports and one of the most progressive too.
Darts
Darts may appear to be a bit of a surprise inclusion, but its popularity has been growing and growing year-on-year. And, like what’s been seen in cricket, the decision to revolutionise the sport has helped to make darts one of the most popular mainstream sports in Europe today. The events in darts, be it the Premier League or one of the more traditional tournaments, are a big hit with those attending, and the fact that they’re also a joy to watch on television is a significant plus, too.
The list of the most popular sports in Europe could go on and on because that’s how popular all sports are on the continent. Europe really is a place full of sports lovers, and that’s not about to change anytime soon. But what’s fitting is that while you have those sports that will always be popular, such as football and boxing, others will find a way to attract interest by evolving and embracing new trends, just like darts has done in more recent times. This, and the variety provided, ultimately makes sport what it is.