Sports enthusiasts certainly love untypical forms of entertainment that might ensure the same rush of adrenaline as a heated game of their favorite sport. However, sometimes it might be challenging to find something that will engage you the same as a great match between rival teams. Here are some suggestions for the best forms of entertainment that will satisfy even the pickiest sports enthusiasts.

The United States is a country that houses some of the biggest sports fan bases in the entire world. Americans are huge fans of sports, with over half of all Americans proclaiming to be passionate supporters of at least one sports team. The United States, in the over 200 years of its existence, has produced some of the most popular sports in the world, but what are the most popular sports in the country? 

American football

American football is one of the biggest sports in the country, and the National Football League is, by far, the biggest sports organization, being worth over 15 billion U.S. dollars. While Association football dominates the world of sports globally, in the United States, the undisputed king is American football. The sport is followed by over 40% of Americans, and college football is the most popular college sport, even exceeding the popularity of certain professional sports in the country.

American football is also the biggest betting sport in the United States, with betting shops and online betting sites reporting that their American user base is far more active during football season than any other sport’s season. If you are interested, have a look at the best sportsbooks, before you start out gambling.

Baseball

Often referred to as “America’s favorite pastime”, baseball is recognized as an American tradition, and one of the first sports created in the United States. It is not nearly as popular as American football and basketball, however, it is still one of the most popular American sports, and the MLB is the second most valuable sports organization in the United States, with an estimated worth of over ten billion dollars. The popularity of baseball, as well as the fact that it is the first sport created in the United States, has earned it the moniker “Godfather of American Sports”.

Basketball

Behind American football, Basketball is the most popular sport in the United States, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) is the world’s biggest professional basketball league. The NBA is also the third biggest sports organization in the United States, with a value exceeding eight billion dollars. 

The sport is played on the professional and college level all around the country, and is becoming more and more popular with every year. Some of the biggest NBA teams in the States include the Chicago Bulls, the Los Angeles Lakers, etc. 

Hockey

While not nearly as popular as it is among their northern neighbors, hockey (ice hockey specifically) is still massively popular in the United States, with the National Hockey League being the fourth biggest sports organization in the United States of America. The NHL is comprised of 32 teams, twenty-five of which are American and the remaining seven Canadian. 

The United States is one of the “big six” on the international hockey stage, among Canada, Finland, Russia, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. These so-called “Big Six” are the six countries that dominate the international hockey scene.

Fans have always loved their teams, but how has the fan experience changed over the years? Let’s take a look. 

Supporting A Local Team

Sports are about more than what happens on the field; they’re closely intertwined with local pride, especially in some corners of the world. Local fans of the Boston Red Sox don’t just have an interest in their team because of their love for baseball; rather, it’s also a chance to show off their local pride. Indeed, sports teams with a solid local presence function as more than just another sports organization. They become pillars of the community, around which the local culture is based. In the past, this happened mostly because it wasn’t possible to support teams in other parts of the country or world due to the lack of information available.

Backing A Team to Win

The quality and professionalism of the action on the field have improved over the years. But some elements of the fan experience are the same today as they were in Roman times, two thousand years ago. The origins of gambling date back to the gladiator battles and chariot races held in those famous coliseums and, while we thankfully got rid of the bloody battles, the gambling stuck around. People will always want their teams to win for more reasons than just the initial glory. Sometimes they have a financial stake in it, sometimes it’s regional pride, and sometimes it’s because of how much they dislike the opposition.

Building A Life Around the Action

Is there a hobby that is as all-consuming as sports? People have various interests, but few can match the utter commitment and devotion that sports fans show. The time that fans dedicate to their teams extends far beyond the several hours on matchday. Indeed, the action that takes place at that time is just a springboard for the first half of the following week, when fans spend countless hours discussing the results and consuming related media. The second half of the working week is built around the upcoming game. And then the weekend itself is built around that game. Fans have always been highly passionate about their teams, so that’s something that hasn’t changed. In fact, it’s actually grown more consuming, thanks to the digital tools available.

Digital Tools 

Fans in the past consumed all the action and news they could get their hands on. The issue was that there wasn’t all that much to consume. These days, things are different. Thanks to the rise of the internet, there’s not a moment when fans can’t indulge in their passion in one way or another. They can listen to a sports podcast on their commute, watch highlight videos on their phones, and discuss their team on Twitter whenever they please.

Reduced Connection Between Players and Fans

The increasing amounts of money in professional sports have undoubtedly led to an increase in quality -- and, as a result, an improved fan experience. But they have also created a divide between the players and the fans. Sports stars have always been viewed as de facto gladiators but, in the past, they were sports stars among the general public, i.e., they would still take the bus to the game. The significant salaries that players now earn largely cut them off from the community. 

Global Appeal

We talked earlier about how fans support their local team but, in the olden days, if you didn’t have a local team, then you were more or less left out of the professional sporting experience. Thankfully, that’s not the case today. Due to digital multimedia, no matter where you live, you can follow a major sports team with just as much insight and passion as a local fan would.