How long have you got? This may seem an easy question, and one that can be settled over a drink in your local bar or while travelling to watch your favourite team play, but when you look a bit closer, it is a question that can have many different answers. Together with the team at Anaconda, one of Australia’s largest sports retail stores, we have set out to investigate which sports make it to the top of the list. See if you agree!
Popular opinion
First of all – how should we define popular? Depending on the criteria you use, you will come up with widely differing results. Do you take the number of people watching a sport on person and/or on TV? Or do you go for how many people actually actively participate in a certain sport? Or do you look online and see which sport people have searched for most in the last 12 months?
And then there is the small matter of where in the world you are asking the question. Baseball, the most popular men’s sport in the USA, only gets a little bit of attention in other parts of the world. In Japan, Sumo wrestling is at or near the top of the list, but it hardly gets a look in anywhere else.
Aussie Rules
In Australia, sport is a bit of a national obsession. Whether hitting a tennis ball with friends on the local courts or playing football in an organised competition, most Australians play sport in one way or another. Many more are armchair spectators and sports fans. But even here, differences can be found between what people in Sydney watch, when compared with people in Melbourne. That’s why determining the most popular sport in Australia is so difficult.
According to most polls, AFL is the most popular spectator sport in Australia, closely followed by horseracing and rugby league. When viewed in terms of participation more men play golf, cricket and tennis and even lawn bowls makes it into the top 10! When asked, many Australian men also put swimming high on their list of favourite sports, not surprising in a nation with over 30,000km of coastline and more than 80% of the population living within 50km of the sea.
Sport at all levels
Australia also has a rich and proud history at the elite level in many sports, including the Olympics, and many Australians draw inspiration from their achievements. Regardless of whether you are a keen sportsman or an occasional weekend warrior, making sure that you have the correct gear is important not only for your enjoyment but also to avoid injuries and accidents. Using the right sports equipment, protection, footwear and clothing all play a part in making sure you can play your sport safely and well, and even take it to the next level.
Anaconda is Australia’s first choice, one stop, outdoor adventure and sporting retailer. With more than 50 stores across Australia and a huge online presence, it has never been easier to buy quality sports gear, clothing, footwear and other essentials to enjoy your favourite sport in style. Here you will find top sports brands at unbeatable prices alongside great value basics in a huge range of styles, sizes and designs.