Is NBA popular in China?

Asked by: Wayde Lash

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.

Is the NBA still popular in China?

The N.B.A. has targeted China — and its population of 1.4 billion — for roughly a half-century. 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.

Is basketball more popular in China?

The nba in china is more popular than the three largest european soccer leagues combined.

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.

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 the NBA huge in China?

NBA China Organization



NBA China, which was established in 2008 and managed the league’s business operations in the region, is estimated to be worth more than $4 billion. NBA China is headquartered in Beijing and hired over 115 employees through four offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taipei.

Why is NBA so popular in China?

The NBA has over a million followers on Chinese social media. This makes it the most followed sports league in the country. The NBA has a special collaboration with Chinese social app WeChat. The app allows fans to keep up with their favourite players, teams and live games.

What countries watch NBA the most?

See also the lists of popular sports in many countries. Basketball is most popular, based on online searches for that term, in the USA.



Popularity of Basketball Around the World.

What is the most popular sport in Asia?

Association football

Association football (also known as soccer) is the most popular sport in almost all Asian countries. Cricket is the second most popular sport in Asia, and is most popular in South Asia. Other popular sports in Asia include baseball, basketball, badminton and table tennis among others.

Does China sponsor the NBA?

The NBA does have an interest in finding common ground, as its China operation is worth more than $5 billion. The business includes a $1.5 billion media rights agreement with China-based tech company Tencent.

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 sports is popular in China?

But what is China’s most beloved sport? The most-watched are soccer and basketball, while ping pong, often referred to as the “national ball game,” (国球 guóqiú), and volleyball, propelled to the forefront by the success of adored icon Láng Píng 郎平, are both wildly popular.

Is American football popular in China?

Over 40,000 children under the age of 12 participate in the sport, with the number set to rise to as high as 120,. The Patriots are the most popular team in China, but along with Brady there have been other Hall of Famers who have visited China.

Is NFL popular in Asia?

Football in Asia is growing and it is the most popular sport in many of the Asian countries like Iran.

Do Chinese watch NFL?

Watch NFL in China via Tencent



Starting four years ago (2017), the NFL struck a 3-year deal with Tencent, China’s largest internet entity to stream live and on-demand NFL games in China.