Gen Z's Top 10 Sports to Watch on TV vs In-Person

November 10, 2024

And with this generation top-of-mind for many sports teams and leagues across the nation – we thought it’s time to pull together the Top 10 Sports & Leagues for Gen Z – from their own opinions – broken down by viewership (on TV) and In-Person (at the games).

Top ten lists. If you're in the sports world, I'm sure you're familiar with them by now.Top 10 in the The NBA Power Rankings. Top 10 in Pole Positions in NASCAR. Top 10 in the BCS.... Scracth that last one – not sure Gen Z was quite around for it.And with this generation top-of-mind for many sports teams and leagues across the nation – we thought it's time to pull together the Top 10 Sports & Leagues for Gen Z  – from their own opinions – broken down by viewership (on TV) and In-Person (at the games).*Study surveyed 500+ 18-24 year-old college students across 12 U.S. states and 24 universities. The results are representative of U.S. college students under the age of 25 (95% confidence level; 5% margin of error).

Gen Z Top 10 Sports to Watch in Person and On TV



Sports & Leagues Gen Z prefers to watch the most on TV

  1. College Football (49.4%)
  2. College Basketball (47.6%)
  3. National Football League (42.8%)
  4. National Basketball Association (35.0%)
  5. Olympic Sports (31.4%)
  6. Major League Baseball (24.2%)
  7. National Hockey League (18.0%)
  8. Boxing (16.4%)
  9. UFC/MMA (16.2%)
  10. Premier League/International Pro Soccer (11.6%)

Followed by: Pro Golf (PGA/LPGA) (11.6%);None (10.4%);Major League Soccer (9.4%);National Women’s Soccer League (8.8%);Professional Tennis (ATP/WTA) (7.0%);Esports (6.4%);Formula 1 (6.1%);Professional Lacrosse (6.0%);WNBA (5.0%);Horse Racing (4.4%);WWE (3.2%);NASCAR (2.8%)Top answer for Males:College Football (64.2%)Top answer for FemalesOlympic Sports (41.5%)
Sports & Leagues Gen Z prefers to watch the most in person

  1. College Football (51.8%)
  2. College Basketball (50.0%)
  3. National Football League (29.2%)
  4. National Basketball Association (26.2%)
  5. Major League Baseball (24.0%)
  6. National Hockey League (18.8%)
  7. Olympic Sports (14.8%)
  8. None (12.0%)
  9. MLS (9.2%)
  10. National Women’s Soccer League (8.2%)

Followed by:Boxing (7.0%);Premier League/International Pro Soccer (6.4%);UFC/MMA (6.0%);Esports (5.2%);Professional Golf (PGA/LPGA) (4.8%);Horse Racing (4.6%);Professional Tennis (ATP/WTA) (4.4%);Professional Lacrosse (4.2%);WWE (4.0%);Formula 1 (3.8%);NASCAR (3.0%);WNBA (2.4%)Top answer for Males:College Football (60%)Top answer for Females: College Basketball(49.8%)

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