Real reasons behind the popularity of football
Dec 05, 2022
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It's no news that football is the most popular sport in the world. It surpasses any other sport by miles in terms of viewership, ratings, sponsorships, and fan following. The last FIFA World Cup attracted 4 billion people, and this year, this number is anticipated to reach 5 billion. Although it's the biggest event of football, gathering such a huge audience is something that should make you wonder.
There are probably hundreds of sports played over the globe, each offering something distinctive. Each has a solid fan base. But there is something special about football. So, what makes this sport so famous? Below we have explained several reasons for a better understanding of the popularity.
Affordable
Football is considered a poor man’s game because you don't need any expensive equipment, kit, or gadgets to play. All you need is a ball. It's one of the biggest reasons why football is so widespread. In some places, children play without a ball and use a plastic bottle or juice box as a replacement.
You can play this game anywhere - on a beach, in a parking lot, in your backyard, in a living room, or on the street. It's not necessary to have a lush green stadium. You can play with your friends or practice alone at times to improve your skills. Football gives you independence and a career option.
No age limit
Unlike other popular sports leagues, NBA or NFL, football does not require any specific age or a degree. Whereas to qualify for the NFL and NBA, you need to be at least a high school student. FIFA organizes tournaments and world cups for those under 17, so you can start playing football professionally at an early age.
Player Focused
Despite being a team sport, football is mainly focused on players. Yes, there is a rich history of teams and clubs, but it's the persona of players that has made football popular. Players like Lionel Messi, Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, etc., inspire generations.
The fan following of players is loyal and shifts from team to team depending on where the player is playing. It gives more opportunity for individuals to shine in the limelight, and a lot has to do with the on-pitch instructions, as the team manager is not as much involved as in the NFL or NBA.
Simple to play
Apart from being fun and entertaining, football is simple to play and understand. Simply put, a player has to throw the ball into the net. In the NFL, if someone hasn't watched a game before, it's difficult to understand why a touchdown has six points, or in basketball, why it's worth three or two points. In football, the scoring model is simple, and the team with more goals wins.
More playing opportunities
The global presence of football is huge, but there are few successful leagues. Every footballer dreams of playing in the Premier League, La Liga, or Ligue 1 but does not always get the opportunity because of extremely high competition.
Every football-playing nation has its local league and various tournaments. The seasons operate for an entire year, and the only time there is a break is the World Cup. The FIFA World Cup odds fluctuate with every match because of unpredictability. Any team can win, so there is no surety of the result, which makes the odds more exciting.
Marketing
It's a multi-billion dollar industry, and some football clubs are also worth billions of dollars. The level of advertisement and sponsorship is unparalleled. These teams spend a massive portion of their budget on the advertisement and then easily recover in one season with ticket sales and broadcasting rights. The big brands in the world sponsor these tournaments and invest millions of dollars, especially in the World Cup, because of its worldwide popularity.
Tags: English