GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Statistics About The Most Popular Sports In Australia

Highlights: Most Popular Sports In Australia Statistics

  • In 2020, there were approximately 2.86 million participants in soccer (outdoor) in Australia.
  • Rugby's State of Origin was the highest-rating television sports event in the year 2021.
  • In terms of participation, walking is the most common physical activity in Australia with 3.1 million participants in 2018.
  • Netball has the largest participation for girls and women in the country, with 1.2 million participants in 2019.
  • In 2020, 6.3% of Australian adults participated at least once a week in Swimming & Diving, representing over one million participants.
  • Approximately 1.7 million Australian adults participated in cycling for sport and recreation in the 12 months leading up to 2019.
  • 5.44 million Australians were NRL fans as of 2020.
  • In 2020, 2.36 million children played sports outside of school in Australia. Soccer being the most popular sport.
  • Approximately 80% of Australian adults participated in sport and recreational physical activities at least once during 2019–20.
  • Nearly 1 in 4 Australian adults (24.2%) are members of gyms or fitness centres in 2021, up slightly from a year ago.
  • In 2018, a total of approximately 541,000 youths participated in Cricket in Australia.
  • Barefoot bowls has seen a 54% increase in participation since 2017, making it one of the fastest growing sports.
  • The Australian Open is the most attended sporting event in the country with an attendance close to 800,000 spectators in 2020.
  • About 17% of the population aged 15 years or over participate in golf as a sport in Australia.

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Australia, known for its love for sports, is a country that boasts a vibrant and diverse sporting culture. From cricket to rugby, tennis to Australian Rules football, Australians have an insatiable appetite for competitive sports. In this blog post, we will delve into the statistics and explore the most popular sports in Australia. We will examine the participation rates, fan following, and the impact these sports have on the nation. So, if you’re curious to know which sports rule the Australian sporting scene, join us as we uncover the numbers behind the most popular sports in Australia.

The Latest Most Popular Sports In Australia Statistics Explained

In 2020, there were approximately 2.86 million participants in soccer (outdoor) in Australia.

The statistic states that in 2020, there were around 2.86 million individuals who participated in outdoor soccer in Australia. This figure indicates the total number of people actively engaging in the sport during that year, emphasizing the popularity and widespread interest in soccer across the country. The statistic encompasses players of all ages, genders, and skill levels, highlighting the inclusive nature of soccer as a recreational and competitive activity in Australia.

Rugby’s State of Origin was the highest-rating television sports event in the year 2021.

The statistic ‘Rugby’s State of Origin was the highest-rating television sports event in the year 2021’ means that the State of Origin rugby matches received the highest viewership among all televised sports events throughout the year. The State of Origin is a highly anticipated rugby competition held annually between two Australian state representative teams. This statistic suggests that the matches attracted a significant number of viewers and garnered the highest ratings in terms of television audience, indicating its popularity and widespread interest among sports fans in 2021.

In terms of participation, walking is the most common physical activity in Australia with 3.1 million participants in 2018.

The given statistic states that in Australia, walking is the most popular physical activity in terms of participation. In the year 2018, there were approximately 3.1 million individuals who engaged in walking as a physical exercise. This implies that a significant portion of the Australian population actively partakes in walking as a means of staying physically active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Netball has the largest participation for girls and women in the country, with 1.2 million participants in 2019.

The statistic indicates that netball, a team sport primarily played by girls and women, had the highest number of participants in the country in 2019, with a total of 1.2 million individuals involved. This highlights the popularity and widespread engagement in netball among girls and women, positioning it as the sport with the largest female participation in the country during that year.

In 2020, 6.3% of Australian adults participated at least once a week in Swimming & Diving, representing over one million participants.

The statistic states that in the year 2020, approximately 6.3% of Australian adults engaged in Swimming & Diving activities at least once every week. This percentage represents over one million individuals who participated in these activities regularly. It suggests that swimming and diving are popular recreational activities among adults in Australia, with a significant portion of the population engaging in them on a weekly basis.

Approximately 1.7 million Australian adults participated in cycling for sport and recreation in the 12 months leading up to 2019.

The statistic indicates that around 1.7 million adults in Australia engaged in cycling as a hobby or recreational activity over the course of the year leading up to 2019. This includes individuals who participated in cycling for the purpose of fitness, leisure, or competitive sports. It suggests that cycling is a popular and widely enjoyed activity among Australian adults, highlighting its significance as a form of exercise and leisure pursuit in the country.

5.44 million Australians were NRL fans as of 2020.

The statistic “5.44 million Australians were NRL fans as of 2020” indicates that, based on the data available in that year, approximately 5.44 million individuals residing in Australia identified themselves as fans of the National Rugby League (NRL). This suggests a sizable and significant level of interest and support for NRL among the Australian population, highlighting the sport’s popularity and widespread appeal within the country.

In 2020, 2.36 million children played sports outside of school in Australia. Soccer being the most popular sport.

In 2020, the statistic shows that approximately 2.36 million children in Australia participated in sports activities outside of school, indicating a significant level of youth involvement in athletic pursuits. Among the various sports available, soccer was found to be the most popular choice among these children. This suggests a widespread interest and engagement in soccer among the younger generation in Australia during that year.

Approximately 80% of Australian adults participated in sport and recreational physical activities at least once during 2019–20.

The statistic “Approximately 80% of Australian adults participated in sport and recreational physical activities at least once during 2019–20” indicates that a large majority of adults in Australia engaged in sports and recreational physical activities at least once during the specified time period. This suggests that such activities are popular and widely embraced among the adult population in the country. The high percentage also highlights the importance placed on physical fitness and well-being, as well as the presence of accessible opportunities for individuals to participate in sports and recreational activities throughout Australia.

Nearly 1 in 4 Australian adults (24.2%) are members of gyms or fitness centres in 2021, up slightly from a year ago.

This statistic indicates that approximately 24.2% of adult Australians are currently enrolled as members in gyms or fitness centers in 2021. This percentage shows a small increase compared to the previous year. This data suggests that a significant portion of the Australian adult population actively participates in fitness activities by joining gyms or fitness centers. This could be attributed to a growing awareness of the importance of physical fitness and well-being, as well as the availability of various fitness facilities and programs.

In 2018, a total of approximately 541,000 youths participated in Cricket in Australia.

In 2018, the statistic shows that there were approximately 541,000 young people across Australia who actively engaged in playing Cricket. This figure represents the total number of youths involved in the sport throughout the country during that year. The statistic suggests that Cricket is a popular and widely embraced sport among young individuals in Australia, with a considerable level of interest and participation demonstrated by the significant number of participants.

Barefoot bowls has seen a 54% increase in participation since 2017, making it one of the fastest growing sports.

The statistic “Barefoot bowls has seen a 54% increase in participation since 2017, making it one of the fastest growing sports” indicates that the number of people engaging in barefoot bowls, a recreational lawn bowling game, has grown by 54% compared to its participation levels in 2017. This significant increase in interest implies that more individuals are now actively participating in the sport, which positions barefoot bowls as one of the fastest-growing sports. The rise in participation could be attributed to various factors, such as increased awareness, the promotion of a relaxed and casual atmosphere, or the appeal of a social activity that combines sport and leisure.

The Australian Open is the most attended sporting event in the country with an attendance close to 800,000 spectators in 2020.

This statistic states that the Australian Open, which is a major tennis tournament held annually in Australia, had the highest number of spectators among all sporting events in the country in 2020. The attendance of the event was nearly 800,000 people, signifying a large and enthusiastic turnout from the audience. This demonstrates the popularity and appeal of the Australian Open, as it attracts a significant number of spectators who come to watch the matches and engage in the overall experience of the tournament.

About 17% of the population aged 15 years or over participate in golf as a sport in Australia.

The statistic states that approximately 17% of the total population aged 15 years or older in Australia actively participate in golf as a sport. This implies that out of every 100 individuals in the given age group, around 17 of them engage in playing golf. The statistic provides an estimate of the level of involvement Australians have in the sport and highlights golf’s popularity among a significant portion of the population.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the statistics clearly indicate that Australians have a deep passion for sports. We have explored the most popular sports in Australia and uncovered some interesting insights. Australian Rules Football (AFL) stands out as the clear winner, with the highest attendance rates and television viewership. It is followed closely by cricket, rugby league, and soccer. These sports not only attract massive crowds but also inspire millions of Australians to participate actively at both amateur and professional levels. Additionally, the rise in popularity of women’s sports has been evident, with increased participation and support. Overall, the statistics demonstrate the enduring love affair between Australians and sports, highlighting the country’s rich sporting culture and the integral role it plays in our society.

References

0. – https://www.www.roymorgan.com

1. – https://www.www.golf.org.au

2. – https://www.www.abs.gov.au

3. – https://www.www.statista.com

4. – https://www.www.vichealth.vic.gov.au

5. – https://www.www.sportaus.gov.au

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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