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A record-breaking 242 million Americans participated in a fitness activity in 2023, reflecting a huge trend in the nation's engagement with sports. The continuous annual growth over the past decade not only highlights the rising popularity of sports but also showcases their vital role in shaping American culture. So, mark your calendars for October 16th—it's time to celebrate National Sports Day! Whether you’re the one racking up the points or cheering from the sidelines, this is a day for everyone to revel in their favorite athletic events.
We surveyed 4,000 physically active Americans to uncover each state’s favorite fitness activity, asking about both the games they love to play and the ones they enjoy watching. Get ready to lace up, stretch out, and dive into the action—no matter if you’re sinking three-pointers, sliding pucks, or scaling mountains!
Participating in sports offers a wealth of health and fitness benefits, but it’s also a fantastic way to socialize. In fact, 74% of our participants shared that they’ve made friends through engaging in sports or physical activities. So, let’s dive into the nation’s favorites and see what activities are bringing people together!
Leading the pack in 1st place is basketball, dominating in 19 states, such as California, Florida, Mississippi, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Nevada and Texas. It seems Americans love to keep fit while having a ball—literally! In fact, 29.73M Americans [Statista] participated in a game of basketball in 2023. With such a passionate following, it’s no wonder that basketball courts can be found in backyards, parks, and schools across the nation.
Hiking has firmly established itself as America’s 2nd favorite fitness activity, leading the way in 10 states, including Illinois, Wisconsin, and Kansas. Not to mention Colorado, which is a standout destination, renowned for its access to world-class trails that attract outdoor enthusiasts from all over. Hiking is the perfect way to connect with nature while getting a solid workout—proving that sometimes the best paths to fitness are found off the beaten track.
Running takes 3rd place leading in 4 states – Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana and Alabama. Of course, running has always been popular, but thanks to the power of social media, platforms like TikTok have skyrocketed the visibility of running clubs over the past year. They’ve showcased running as not just a fitness activity but also a fantastic way for people to connect. It can be a vibrant community experience, making it easier for everyone—from beginners to seasoned marathoners—to lace up their shoes and join in the fun!
Tennis takes the 4th spot, thriving in 3 states: Minnesota, New Mexico, and New Jersey. Rounding out the top 5 are soccer, football, and swimming, each leading in 2 states/districts. Soccer is popular in New York and Virginia, while swimming makes a splash in the District of Columbia and Idaho. Football holds strong in Georgia and Nebraska. Additionally, hockey claims its territory in Montana, baseball swings into action in Arkansas, and weightlifting powers through in West Virginia.
We also asked our respondents if they could be a professional athlete in any sport, which would they choose? Basketball dribbles its way to the top again, leading in 17 states, including Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, New York, and California.
Coming in 2nd is baseball, knocking it out of the park in 10 states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Kansas, and Mississippi. Football takes the 3rd spot, scoring big in 6 states, including Nevada and Virginia.
Meanwhile, gymnastics flips into a close 4th place, being the top choice in 5 states like Tennessee and Minnesota. Tennis serves up the 5th position, making its mark in 3 states and the District of Columbia, including Illinois. It’s clear that whether it’s on the court, field, or mat, Americans have their hearts set on a variety of sports!
Our respondents revealed they watch an average of 5 hours of sports per week. However, District of Columbia residents take it up a notch, tuning in for an impressive 9 hours on average, the most in America.
As for the most-watched sport, football completely dominates the screen. With 41 states naming it their top sport to watch, football is clearly the MVP. Beyond the end zones, things get interesting: Kentucky swings for baseball, Montana drops the puck with hockey, Vermont serves up tennis, and Idaho vaults for gymnastics.
In conclusion, basketball reigns as the go-to sport for Americans to play, while football rules the screens. But no matter your sport of choice—whether you're chasing a personal best, swinging for the fences, or cheering from the bleachers—National Sports Day on October 16th is the time to celebrate. It's the perfect chance to honor the passion, energy, and camaraderie that sports bring into our lives.
In honor of National Sports Day, we surveyed 4,000 Americans who participate in physical exercise to get the scoop on all-thing's sports. We then broke down the data by state.
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