The popularity of a sport can vary based on certain dynamics or countries in which the game is played. It can also be affected by social factors such as poverty or access to facilities. For example, in Switzerland, ice hockey is extremely popular. There can be several factors that influence this, but the climate plays a big role. Areas with a lot of snow or ice will affect the availability of matches and the ability to play. Ice hockey is a sport that is almost exclusive to countries that experience heavy snowfall and colder climates.
New Zealand has a relatively cool climate and their most popular sport is Rugby Union, which is no surprise considering the notoriety of the world-renowned ceremonial Haka dance the team performs before their big games. Cricket is also popular among Kiwis, ranking second in terms of popularity. Both sports enjoy large viewership and are popular for people to place bets on. When you bet in New Zealand with bet365, you can take advantage of introductory offers online. Of course, this isn’t limited to just these two sports. Other popular sports include basketball; you can also find markets for these sports online.
For obvious reasons, ice hockey isn’t popular in warmer climates. In Spain, the most popular sports are football, basketball and tennis. Football can be played in any climate and enjoys huge popularity worldwide. Lesser-known sports can attract huge audiences on other continents, though. For instance, badminton is considered part of the national identity in Indonesia. Whereas this is considered a niche sport in many other countries, its popularity in Indonesia is vast.
Some sports enjoy large followings due to the fact that they’re ingrained within that country’s culture. Sports such as Thai boxing in Thailand and Gaelic football in Ireland enjoy huge success as they are woven into the fabric of their cultures. Thai boxing is practiced by an estimated 600,000 people in Thailand – nearly 10% of the population. However, in some countries in Europe, the sport is considered a niche sport and does not enjoy anywhere near the same level of popularity and coverage.
In Dublin, Croke Park holds 82,300 people and is sold out every year for the All-Ireland final. However, Gaelic football isn’t considered a popular sport globally and would be considered a niche sport even in neighbouring countries such as England and Wales.
Another example of this is sumo wrestling in Japan. It is estimated that over a quarter of Japan’s population consider sumo wrestling their favourite sport. However, despite the immense demand for it in Japan, there’s no other country that considers this a professional sport. Travelling to these regions can provide a sample of the unique culture on offer and give insight into how sports are enjoyed differently.
These are all examples of sports that have split from their more mainstream counterparts. Thai boxing and Gaelic football are played in other parts of the world but are considered niche sports the further you travel from their respective countries of origin.
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