A new Gallup poll indicates that football continues to be the most‑watched sport in the United States, yet the proportion of adults who name it as their favorite has dropped to 31%, the lowest point recorded since 2001.
Soccer has surged to 9%, the highest level ever measured by Gallup, positioning it almost level with basketball at 11% and baseball at 10%, and analysts suggest the recent excitement surrounding the 2022 World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico may be fueling this momentum.
Demographic Divides Shape Preferences
Age plays a clear role, with only 20% of adults aged 18‑34 selecting football as their favorite compared with older cohorts, while racial and ethnic lines show white Americans favoring football and people of color leaning toward basketball and soccer; income further influences choices, as upper‑earning households are more likely to name football (37%) whereas lower‑income respondents are more inclined toward soccer (13%).
Baseball’s standing has been eroding, averaging 12% in recent years, whereas basketball has maintained a steady presence around 13% for the past four decades, and a record 20% of the population now reports having no favorite sport at all.
Football’s popularity fluctuates with the NFL calendar, climbing to 38% during the season and receding to 32% in the off‑season, underscoring a long‑term pattern that has seen the sport dominate Gallup surveys since 1972.