The 8 Most-Played Participation Sports in the World [2025]
The Most-Played Participation Sports in the World
Participation sports are the activities that ordinary people play. From football to tennis, these sports are popular in school yards, gyms and city streets.
So, what are the most-played participation games in the world? Read on for the full list!
Basketball is quickly becoming one of the most popular participation games in the world
Sports like football, volleyball and tennis attract hundreds of millions of regular players every single year.
Governing sports bodies like FIFA now publish solid participation data, so we can move beyond guesses and fan hype to talk about how many people actually play these games.
Let’s take a look at the 8 most popular participation sports in the world, including how many people actually play them and how they fit into everyday life in 2025.
How Do We Measure the Most-Played Participation Sports?
When experts rank the most popular participation games in the world, they look at people who actually play the sports, not just fans who watch or follow them.
Surveys usually count anyone who plays at least once a year, and many also document smaller groups who play the game on a weekly or monthly basis.
Those numbers come from major governing bodies such as FIFA (football), FIVB (volleyball), FIBA (basketball), the ITF (tennis) and the R&A (golf).
The Most Popular Participation Games in the World
The top 8 most-played participation sports for 2025 are:
Football
Volleyball
Basketball
Running
Badminton
Tennis
Swimming
Golf
Let’s take a look at the latest player stats for each of these sports, including everything you need to know about the world’s most popular participation games.
1. Football
Football remains the anchor of the world's most-played participation sports. FIFA’s “Big Count” found around 265 million active footballers worldwide, and around 270 million people involved in the game, including referees and officials.
This is roughly 4% of the global population, so it’s no wonder football is one of the most popular sports in the world!
Read more about the beautiful game on our football blog
These stats don’t just include professional players. They also include Sunday league parents, kids on dusty village pitches and futsal players in crowded cities. One ball, flexible rules and almost any open space make football extremely easy to start, and very hard to stop.
2. Volleyball
You may be surprised by how high volleyball ranks in the world’s most popular participation games. The FIVB estimates that around 800 million people play volleyball globally, with about 350 million playing regularly. That figure covers indoor, beach and school-yard versions.
The barrier to entry is low: a ball, a net and a few friends. Because it is non-contact and easy to adapt for mixed ages and genders, many schools, universities and community centres treat volleyball as their default team sport.
Volleyball is particularly popular in European countries like Poland.
3. Basketball
Basketball is becoming an increasingly popular participation sport. FIBA reports that more than 610 million people aged 6 to 54 play basketball at least twice a month, with a total of around 3.3 billion global fans.
China alone contributes over 200 million participants. That growth is powered by simple equipment, just a ball and a hoop, as well as a strong cultural pull from the NBA and national leagues. For many kids, the local court is a social hub as much as a sports venue.
4. Running
Running may be the most democratic of all participation sports. Recent analyses suggest that around 621 million people worldwide run, with 50 million in the US alone. Those numbers include casual joggers, parkrun regulars and marathon hopefuls.
No membership is required. You don’t need a referee, scoreboard or even a partner - just shoes and a safe route. This is why many public health campaigns push running as a go-to option for busy adults.
5. Badminton
Badminton might look like a casual game when played in a backyard, but it is a giant in terms of participation. The Badminton World Federation and partner studies estimate that there are more than 300 million active players worldwide and roughly 709 million fans, making it one of the most followed sports globally.
Much of that comes from Asia, where school programmes and public courts are common. Badminton is one of the most popular sports in Vietnam, for example.
The shuttle’s lightweight reduces impact on joints, yet rallies demand quick reactions, which appeals to both families and serious club players.
6. Tennis
Tennis earns its place among the most popular participation sports in the world, with both traditional roots and modern growth. The ITF’s 2024 Global Tennis Report shows that around 106 million people worldwide are playing tennis, a 25.6% increase in just five years.
Those figures include everyone from social doubles players to future Grand Slam contenders. Public courts and community programmes help keep costs manageable. Because tennis blends endurance, coordination and tactics, many adults treat it as their primary, lifelong sport.
7. Swimming
Counting swimming participation is tricky, but global surveys show that it’s practised worldwide. OECD research using the World Risk Poll found that roughly three in four adults in high-income countries can swim, while the share is lower but rising in low-income regions.
In the US, around 28 million people swim for fitness, and in England, roughly 4.7 million adults swim at least twice a month. These numbers explain why many public health campaigns view swimming as both an important life skill and a sport.
8. Golf
Golf has shaken off its “elite only” image and now stands comfortably among the most popular participation sports in the world. The R&A’s Global Participation Report for 2024 estimates about 108 million adults and juniors playing some form of golf in its affiliated markets.
In the US alone, players completed a record 545 million rounds in 2024. Shorter formats, driving-range games and beginner-friendly nine-hole layouts keep the door open for newcomers who want social time and fresh air as much as competition.
The Most Popular Participation Sports in the World
Stepping back, the most popular participation sports worldwide share a few patterns. They are easy to learn, flexible in terms of space and rules, and often supported by strong school or community systems.
Two big stats stand out: around 265 million people play football, and an estimated 800 million play volleyball. These figures show how team games can pull entire communities together.
Running, swimming and golf all highlight a softer truth: people do not just want to watch sport. They want enjoyable movement that fits real life, health goals and limited time constraints.
Do you play any of these popular participation games? Tell us in the comments!
