Reflection: Why is football the most popular sport in the world?

The most popular sport in the long term, not only in our country, is football. It is played by billions of people all over the world, and the best of them even make a fabulous living at it. But why is football so admired?

Almost everyone has played football at some point in their lives. Why? There are several reasons – cheap equipment (just a ball), simple rules or independence from the weather. Moreover, football can be played practically anywhere.

Around a quarter of a billion people are actively involved in football, and there are around 340,000 of them in the Czech Republic. Thanks to football, the best of them can support not only themselves, but also their whole family. But the same can be said of top coaches, officials or other members of the implementation team.

Football teams generate profits through sponsorships or television rights. Successful teams understandably have bigger budgets as they regularly participate in international competitions (Champions League, Europa League).

This makes the surprises of the clubs from the “second tier” all the more pleasant. Leicester’s triumph in the Premier League, Montpellier’s triumph in Ligue 1 and Greece’s triumph in the 2004 European Championship are all worth mentioning.

One of the other reasons is that football is played all year round. In most countries, the league season runs from August to May, with international matches usually filling the summer break.

With football being a worldwide pastime, you can also enjoy your holidays. If your local team isn’t playing a competitive match, you can take a tour of the stadium.

And you can watch the best football from the comfort of your own home. TV stations in the Czech Republic have broadcasting rights to the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga and the Champions League – the most famous football competition in the world.

We must not forget football fans either. It is wonderful when they support their team throughout the match and add some choreo to the mix. Plus, they get to spend time with their friends.

If you know your football, you can also make money from it. There have been several cases where a bettor has become a millionaire even though he has deposited a small amount.

Of course, football also has its drawbacks – corruption, occasional poor referee performances or time killer. Still, there are more than three billion football fans on the globe.

Source: UEFA