The debate over whether soccer is bigger than football has been ongoing for decades. While both sports have massive followings, the question isn’t just about which is more popular but about how each has embedded itself into cultures worldwide. In this article, we will dive into the global popularity, financial influence, cultural impact, and viewership of both soccer (known as football outside of North America) and American football to determine whether soccer truly holds the crown as the world’s most popular sport or if American football is quietly catching up.
1. The Global Reach of Soccer vs. American Football
Soccer’s global reach is unmatched. Played and followed in nearly every country, it’s considered the most universally beloved sport. There are over 3.5 billion soccer fans worldwide, and the sport is the heartbeat of nations from Europe to Africa, Latin America to Asia.
Soccer is accessible; all you need is a ball. This ease of access makes it popular in both urban centers and remote villages. Nations rally behind their teams during international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and the Copa America, where billions tune in to watch.
On the other hand, American football’s reach, while growing, remains predominantly confined to the United States and parts of Canada. The National Football League (NFL) dominates in the U.S., and the Super Bowl, the annual championship game, is one of the most-watched television events in North America. However, outside of the U.S., American football has a much smaller following. While it’s gaining traction in places like Europe and Japan, it’s nowhere near the level of global dominance that soccer enjoys.
Verdict: Soccer is bigger globally than American football.
2. Financial Powerhouses: The Economics of Soccer and American Football
When it comes to financial impact, both soccer and American football are juggernauts, but they differ in how they generate revenue.
Soccer’s Financial Footprint
Soccer’s financial model is global, with multiple leagues and competitions bringing in billions. The English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga are among the most profitable domestic leagues, attracting sponsors, advertisers, and broadcast deals worth billions of dollars. For example, the English Premier League’s TV rights deal for 2022-2025 was valued at over £9.2 billion, showcasing the global appetite for soccer.
International tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Champions League add even more financial clout. FIFA generates billions every four years from sponsorship deals, broadcasting rights, and ticket sales. Players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar are among the world’s highest-paid athletes, with income from both salaries and endorsements.
American Football’s Revenue Machine
While soccer dominates globally, American football reigns supreme in the U.S. The NFL generated around $18 billion in 2022, with projections of hitting $25 billion annually by 2027. Much of this revenue comes from lucrative television contracts, with networks like CBS, Fox, and ESPN paying billions to broadcast games.
The Super Bowl alone generates around $450 million in ad revenue each year, and companies spend up to $7 million for a 30-second commercial. While American football may not have the global reach of soccer, the NFL’s financial power is undeniable.
Verdict: While soccer generates immense global revenue, American football, particularly the NFL, generates more revenue per league.
3. Cultural Impact: The Social Influence of Soccer and American Football
Soccer’s cultural impact extends beyond the game itself. It is ingrained in the identity of nations and communities. Soccer isn’t just a sport—it’s a social phenomenon that can stop wars, inspire revolutions, and unite people. The World Cup, for instance, is a global spectacle that transcends sports. In 2022, over 1.1 billion people watched the World Cup final, with people gathering in homes, public squares, and stadiums to cheer for their teams.
Soccer also reflects societal struggles, politics, and history. Clubs like FC Barcelona, for example, represent more than just football in Catalonia, they symbolize the region’s push for independence from Spain. Soccer’s influence on culture is vast, ranging from the streets of Brazil to the mega-stadiums of Europe.
In contrast, American football’s cultural influence is largely confined to the U.S. The Super Bowl, while a massive event in American culture, doesn’t resonate globally in the same way the World Cup does. Football is intertwined with American traditions, from Thanksgiving games to tailgate parties. However, outside of North America, the cultural impact of American football is limited.
Verdict: Soccer’s cultural impact is bigger on a global scale compared to American football, which is more localized to the U.S.
4. Fan Engagement: The Passion of Soccer and American Football Supporters
The passion of soccer fans is legendary. From the ultras in Europe to the samba-filled streets of Rio de Janeiro, soccer fans are some of the most dedicated and passionate sports enthusiasts in the world. Clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Boca Juniors have supporters who live and breathe soccer, and rivalries like El Clásico (Barcelona vs. Real Madrid) or the Superclásico (River Plate vs. Boca Juniors) are often compared to religious experiences.
In contrast, American football fans are also deeply loyal, particularly in cities where NFL teams are central to community identity, like Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the Packers are more than just a team—they’re a civic institution. The tailgating culture, fantasy football leagues, and college football rivalries show how American football is entrenched in U.S. culture.
However, soccer fans are on another level when it comes to international engagement. The global nature of soccer means that fans follow their favorite clubs and players across multiple continents and leagues. American football’s fan engagement, while intense in the U.S., is still growing internationally.
Verdict: Soccer’s global fan engagement surpasses American football’s fanbase, which is more concentrated in the U.S.
5. International Competitions: Comparing the World Cup and the Super Bowl
One of the starkest differences between soccer and American football is the nature and scale of their respective international competitions.
The FIFA World Cup is arguably the most prestigious sporting event in the world. Held every four years, it draws teams from every continent, and fans from all over the globe unite to support their countries. The 2018 World Cup in Russia was watched by over 3.5 billion people, with more than 1.1 billion tuning in for the final alone. For one month, the world collectively holds its breath as nations compete for the ultimate soccer prize.
American football’s biggest event, the Super Bowl, is massive but doesn’t carry the same international weight. While the Super Bowl attracts over 100 million viewers annually in the U.S., its international viewership is significantly smaller. The Super Bowl is primarily an American cultural event, filled with elaborate halftime shows, blockbuster commercials, and a national holiday-like atmosphere, but its influence beyond the U.S. is limited.
Verdict: The World Cup is far bigger internationally than the Super Bowl.
6. Participation Levels: How Many People Play Soccer vs. American Football?
When comparing the number of people who actively participate in soccer and American football, there’s no contest. Soccer is played by over 250 million people in more than 200 countries, according to FIFA. The sport is universal, and you’re just as likely to see a group of kids playing soccer in a rural African village as you are in a park in Paris.
American football, by contrast, is largely confined to the U.S. and Canada, with limited participation elsewhere. While millions of kids play American football in high school and college in the U.S., the global reach is far less widespread. There are efforts to grow the game internationally, with leagues popping up in Europe, Asia, and Latin America, but the numbers are still dwarfed by soccer participation.
Verdict: Soccer has far more global participation than American football.
7. Media Coverage: Soccer vs. American Football
The media coverage of soccer is extensive, reflecting its global popularity. Every week, millions of fans tune in to watch domestic leagues, cup competitions, and international matches. Major broadcasters like ESPN, Sky Sports, and beIN Sports dedicate extensive coverage to soccer, with games broadcast in dozens of languages.
The Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A are watched in hundreds of countries, and the sport dominates sports news outlets worldwide. Soccer stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are household names across continents, with media coverage spanning both their on-field performance and off-field lives.
American football, on the other hand, enjoys massive media coverage in the U.S. The NFL dominates the American sports calendar, with networks providing extensive coverage of games, analysis, and fantasy football. While media coverage of American football is growing internationally, it still pales in comparison to soccer’s global media presence.
Verdict: Soccer enjoys more global media coverage than American football.
Conclusion.
When looking at global reach, participation, fan engagement, cultural impact, and international competitions, soccer is undeniably bigger than American football. Soccer’s global appeal is unparalleled, with billions of fans and players across the world, while American football remains largely confined to the U.S. and a handful of other countries.
While American football is incredibly popular in the U.S. and generates impressive revenue through the NFL, it has a long way to go to match soccer’s global dominance. The Super Bowl might be a massive event in North America, but nothing compares to the worldwide spectacle of the FIFA World Cup.
Ultimately, soccer’s status as the world’s most popular sport remains undisputed. It’s a game that transcends borders, languages, and cultures, making it bigger than American football in almost every measurable way.
