second most popular sport?

[ace_of_something]

Okay, we all know that by and large Association Football (aka Soccer) is the most popular team sport worldwide. My question is what would you speculate is the second most popular? Base on any criteria. I'd also be interested; especially in our non-north American escapists say are popular sports in their respective areas.

It's more or less a bit of an argument between some friends and I. With the prevailing theories being, Hockey, Baseball, and Rugby.

In the US it depends on the region you're in but around where I live Football (American football) is king. After that I'd say it's a wash between Basketball, Hockey, and Baseball. This is a very sporty town. If I had to choose I'd say Hockey because the minor league and college teams consistently put butts in the seats.

 

[iron codpiece]

Ice Hockey right?

Finland, Russia, and I'm pretty sure more all have fairly successful ice hockey leagues don't they?

 

[Smokej]

is it limited to teamsports only? if so than i would assume (in middle europe/Germany) it could be team handball

individual sports: Formula 1, Boxing, Cycling and (winter)olympic disciplines

 

[farscythe]

think it'd be rugby or cricket here

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

Over here in the UK I'd reckon it'd be either Rugby or Cricket. Probably Rugby since 'Rugby' covers two disciplines, Union and League.

 

[Brotherofwill]

Well Basketball is big in China, so that has quite a boost. Then again Cricket is big in India.

Man, I have no idea. I'd say Tennis or Golf. I mean it's a bit snobbish and not really 'middleclass' but most countries love it and the superstars are coming from a wide range of nationalities.

If this is purely team sports I'd go with Basketball. NBA and college teams are big in the US and Canada. Spain has a solid league, Grecce and Turkey are okay too. Argentinia has a good national team. China loves it.

 

[EMFCRACKSHOT]

Cricket is rather big in the UK, Australia, South Africa and India. And rugby has a rather large international following so i'd say its one of those two

 

[Layz92]

In Australia I would say Rugby League. After that probably the AFL.

 

[Marowit]

In the US it's Football,Baseball>NBA,NASCAR>Hockey/Golf...most Americans could give a hoot about hockey.

World wide it has to be Socceer,Cricket>Rugby>Car Racing(I know some transplanted Europeans and they're nuts for F1/Rally). India loves their Cricket, and they've got a lot of people not to mention the other commonwealth countries, but a dark horse of sorts might be that Handball game that the Chinese play - I heard it was one of the most watched events at the Asian Games just recently.

 

[Jack and Calumon]

Football.

Most popular is running. Everyone runs a race at some point, even as a game as a kid, not everyone plays football.

Calumon: I can fly faster than Jack can run. :3

 

[C95J]

Probably rugby here in the UK, that gets a lot of TV coverage and lots of people go to watch it.

Although Golf, Cricket and Tennis also seem popular over here, there is not as much coverage and not as many people go to see it.

 

[Irony's Acolyte]

Well from where I am (Southeastern Pennsylvania) either Basketball or Baseball are the second favorite behind American Football. Don't quite know which mainly because I simply don't pay attention to any of them, but I'm sure its one of of those two. As for worldwide, that's even harder. I know that Cricket and Rugby are popular in some of the ex-British Empire countries, but I also know that Basketball, Hockey, and Baseball also have their following in several different countries. Once again though my ignorance on the subject prevent me from making a good guess.

 

[Caspertjuhh]

hockey, not ice hockey, but field hockey here in holland.

But worldwide, I'd say athletics.

 

[Wadders]

Over here in the UK I'd say it would be Rugby, probably Rugby Union, then Rugby League. Or Possibly Cricket.

 

[Alade]

Basketball I think

 

[Talshere]

Cricket, easy. At least on a world wide front.

 

[Best of the 3]

I think it would probably be something like rugby or cricket or tennis if it's sports being watched.

However I think I read somwhere that badminton was the second most sociably played sport in the world. Probably helps that it's really popular in China though

 

[Dr_Baron_von_Evilsatan]

Rugby. Wish it was #1.

 

[skips]

It has to be cricket.

 

[Kayevcee]

I was going to just say rugby, but cricket has a pretty massive following too as others have noted.

Back home in Britain I reckon snooker is one of the biggest sports- there's at least one table in nearly every pub and the most-watched sporting event in British TV history was a snooker final- Steve Davis vs Dennis Taylor in 1985, when over 1/3 of the population was watching the final frame. Snooker loopy nuts are we, as the song goes.

-Nick