EY Sports Engagement Index reveals most popular sports among Gen-Z

Football, running, Formula 1, swimming and boxing are the top five most popular sports with Gen-Z adults (18-24) in the UK, according to the latest EY Sports Engagement Index.

The EY survey, polling over 4,000 adults in the UK, uses comparative data to gauge engagement levels in various sports. The survey’s measure of engagement includes either participation in the sport, followership of the sport (on television or digitally) or event attendance.

The annual index for 2024 reveals that football, Formula 1, swimming, tennis, and athletics have the most substantial overall engagement across all age groups, with a number of these sports directly benefiting from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Football, running, and Formula 1 rank highly in engaging 18-24-year-olds. The Gen-Z adult top ten also features swimming, boxing, tennis, basketball, wellness sports, hiking, and table tennis. Other sports, such as dancing, cycling and chess, also rank highly, demonstrating the diversity of Gen Z’s engagement in sport.

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