How popular is basketball in China?

Asked by: Laura Lugert

In 2020, about 625 million people in China were fans of basketball, and 143 million people in China were considered hardcore fans, essentially meaning these fans regularly watch and play basketball. 482 million remaining fans were general fans.

Is basketball the most popular sport in China?

Basketball is the largest spectator sport in China. China hosted the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

What sport is most popular in China?

Basketball. The most popular sport in China is, by far and away, basketball. The 2019 FIBA World Cup was hosted in China, and the country is an absolute fan of the sport. In fact, it is by far the most popular spectator sport.

Is basketball more popular than football in China?

According to one study surveying Chinese internet users, the NBA is the most watched sports league in the country, even edging out the CBA and CSL. Tech giant Tencent has acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast NBA games through 2024-25 in China, in a deal worth $1.5 billion.

Does China watch basketball?

China now has more fans of the league than there are in the United States, a country of 330 million. Before the pandemic, the N.B.A.’s top stars routinely traveled to the country between seasons to promote sneakers. Since 2004, the N.B.A. has played dozens of games there.

Why is basketball so popular in China?

Popularity of Basketball in China
Basketball was introduced in the late 1890s to China, and the sport gained support quickly. In 1935, basketball was introduced as a national pastime, and in 1936 the Chinese formed a basketball Olympic team due to the popularity of the sport.

What are the 2 best known sports in China?

What are the 5 most popular sports in China?

• Basketball. Basketball is currently the most popular sports discipline in China, and according to some analysts, has already become part of the Chinese culture. …
• Football (soccer) …
• Table tennis. …
• Badminton. …
• Esports.

Is baseball popular in China?

According to the white paper, China’s total “baseball population”, including players, coaches, administrators and fans, totaled 41 million in 2019, of which 21 million were classified as “active”.

Is basketball popular in Japan?

In 2021, Japan’s professional basketball had a fandom of 5.67 million people. Basketball is one of the most popular professional team sports in Japan, after baseball and football. The official league for professional basketball in Japan is called the B-League.

What is China national sport?

On the basis of popularity, table tennis is considered the national sport of China.

How popular is basketball in Asia?

In China, basketball ranks fourth, behind badminton, table tennis and swimming, while in Singapore, it has similar popularity to that of table tennis placing it within the top 5 popular sports.

Do more people watch NBA in China?

The N.B.A. has long made global expansion — particularly into China, where it now has more fans than in the U.S. — a core part of its mission.

Where is basketball most popular?

Popularity of Basketball Around the World

What is the #1 sport in the world?

Soccer

Soccer is the world’s most popular sport. It is played by more than 20 million people in more than 140 countries. U.S.

Is basketball popular in Russia?

Basketball is a popular sport in Russia. The Russian national basketball team followed the Soviet Union national basketball team, and has won several international titles. After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) banned Russian teams and officials.