Australian Rules Football (AFL) is the most popular sport in Australia in 2026, with 9.72 million Australians supporting an AFL club and the AFL Grand Final holding the highest attendance of any club championship in the world. Furthermore, the National Rugby League (NRL) leads in television viewership with cumulative audiences exceeding 174 million across 2025, while cricket remains Australia’s national summer sport with around 8 million dedicated fans.
In addition, swimming tops the participation charts with approximately 3.1 million Australians taking part each year. Moreover, the country’s love for sport is reflected in the 84% of adults aged 15 and above who participate in sport or physical activities annually. As a result, Australia ranks among the most sport-obsessed nations in the world, having hosted the Olympics twice in 1956 and 2000.
Top 10 Most Popular Sports in Australia 2026
The top 10 most popular sports in Australia for 2026 reflect a mix of attendance, television viewership, and participation across different codes. Furthermore, the rankings combine fan engagement data from Roy Morgan, Cricket Australia, the AFL, and Nine Network sources.
| Sport | Key Highlight |
|---|---|
| Australian Rules Football (AFL) | 9.72 million supporters across Australia |
| Rugby League (NRL) | Highest TV viewership with 174 million cumulative audience |
| Cricket | National summer sport with 8 million fans |
| Football (Soccer) | Most popular sport globally |
| Tennis | Australian Open Grand Slam every year |
| Basketball | NBL eight-team competition plus 1+ million participants |
| Netball | 386,455 fans attended Super Netball 2025 |
| Rugby Union | 170,952 registered players across 767 clubs |
| Motor Sports | Fourth most well-attended sport in Australia |
| Golf | High participation rates across all states |
1. Australian Rules Football (AFL): The Most Popular Sport
AFL stands as Australia’s most popular sport in 2026, with 9.72 million Australians supporting an AFL club. Furthermore, the AFL Grand Final has the highest attendance of any club championship in the world, drawing capacity crowds at the MCG every September.
In addition, the league features 18 clubs across Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, and Tasmania. Specifically, the Sydney Swans hold the top spot for most-supported club for 20 straight years with 1,297,000 supporters.
- Total fan base: 9.72 million Australians
- Top supported club: Sydney Swans (1,297,000 supporters)
- Most attended event: AFL Grand Final at the MCG
- Predominant regions: Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory
- Match attendance 2024: Over 8.2 million across the season
- Format: 18 clubs across an 18-player-per-side oval-shaped field
2. Rugby League (NRL): The TV Viewership King
Rugby League sits second in the popularity rankings but leads on television viewership with cumulative audiences exceeding 174 million across 2025. Furthermore, the National Rugby League (NRL) is Australia’s top-level professional rugby league competition with 16 clubs.
In addition, NSW and Queensland are the league’s traditional heartlands, where rugby league outranks AFL in terms of regional popularity. Specifically, the NRL has reported over 4 million registered users across digital platforms.
- TV viewership leader: 174 million cumulative audience in 2025
- Number of clubs: 16
- Registered players: Approximately 170,000 across all levels
- Predominant regions: New South Wales and Queensland
- Annual marquee events: NRL Grand Final, State of Origin
- Digital reach: 4+ million registered users
3. Cricket: Australia’s National Summer Sport
Cricket is Australia’s national summer sport with around 8 million fans nationwide and over 540,000 adult participants. Furthermore, the annual Boxing Day Test at the MCG remains the country’s most popular summer sporting event, drawing 100,000+ crowds across the five days.
In addition, the Ashes series against England is one of the most anticipated international cricket fixtures globally. Specifically, fewer than 25% of senior cricketers are female, although the WBBL has seen significant growth in recent years.
- Total fans: 8 million Australians
- Adult participants: 541,000+
- Junior participants: 156,000+ children
- Iconic event: Boxing Day Test at the MCG
- International rivalry: The Ashes vs England
- Major leagues: Big Bash League (BBL), WBBL, Sheffield Shield
4. Football (Soccer): The Global Game in Australia
Football, known as soccer in Australia, is the world’s most popular sport and rapidly rising in Australian popularity. Furthermore, the country’s A-League (Men) and A-League (Women) competitions feature 12-15 professional clubs across Australia and New Zealand.
In addition, Australian betting markets cover all major international football leagues including the English Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, and the FIFA World Cup. Specifically, the Matildas (Australian Women’s National Football Team) have built one of the country’s most loved sporting brands.
- Major domestic competitions: A-League Men, A-League Women
- Top international rivalry: Matildas vs USA, Matildas vs England
- Global popularity: Most popular sport on the planet
- Australian Olympic team: Olyroos and Matildas
- Major events: 2023 Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand
5. Tennis: Home of the Australian Open
Tennis ranks among Australia’s top five sports thanks to the Australian Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments in international tennis. Furthermore, the tournament held annually in Melbourne in January draws global TV audiences and capacity crowds at Rod Laver Arena.
In addition, tennis enjoys high participation rates across both men’s and women’s amateur and junior cricket. Specifically, Australia has produced numerous Grand Slam winners across both singles and doubles formats.
- Marquee event: Australian Open Grand Slam (Melbourne)
- Major venues: Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena
- Iconic Australian players: Ash Barty, Lleyton Hewitt, Pat Rafter
- Annual TV viewership: Tens of millions globally
- Participation: High recreational involvement across all states
6. Basketball: NBL and 1+ Million Participants
Basketball has rapidly grown across the past 30 years to become one of Australia’s top 10 most popular sports. Furthermore, the National Basketball League (NBL) features eight Australian clubs plus the New Zealand Breakers from across the Tasman.
In addition, over 1 million Australians play basketball regularly, with the NBA also widely watched across the country. Specifically, the Australian Boomers (men’s national team) have become a regular Olympic medal contender.
- Major competition: National Basketball League (NBL)
- Number of clubs: 8 Australian clubs plus New Zealand Breakers
- Participants: 1+ million Australians regularly
- National team: Australian Boomers, Australian Opals
- Top international event: NBA viewership across Australia
7. Netball: Australia’s Top Women’s Domestic Sport
Netball is one of Australia’s most-loved women’s sports with over 350,000 registered participants nationally. Furthermore, the Suncorp Super Netball league set a record with 386,455 fans attending matches across the 2025 season.
In addition, Netball Australia has built one of the strongest female sporting competitions in the country, with a new broadcast partnership with Nine starting in 2026. Specifically, the Australian Diamonds (national team) are consistent contenders at the Netball World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
- Major competition: Suncorp Super Netball
- Registered participants: 350,000+
- 2025 attendance: 386,455 fans across the season
- National team: Australian Diamonds
- Major events: Netball World Cup, Commonwealth Games
- Broadcast partner from 2026: Nine Network
8. Rugby Union: Niche but Loyal Fanbase
Rugby Union has a smaller but dedicated fanbase compared to AFL and NRL, with 170,952 registered players across 767 clubs. Furthermore, major events like the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour drew capacity 90,000+ crowds at the MCG.
In addition, the Wallabies (Australian national team) and Super Rugby Pacific clubs (Brumbies, Reds, Waratahs, Rebels) provide top-tier domestic and international fixtures. Specifically, 47% of Australian rugby fans expressed optimism about the sport’s future across 2024-25.
- Registered players: 170,952 across 767 clubs
- Major teams: Brumbies, Reds, Waratahs, Rebels (Super Rugby Pacific)
- National team: Wallabies
- Major events: Rugby Championship, Bledisloe Cup, British and Irish Lions Tour
- Fan optimism rating: 47% positive across 2024-25
- Iconic venue records: 109,874 (NSW), 61,241 (WA)
9. Motor Sports: Fourth Most Attended Sport
Motor Sports rank fourth in attended sports across Australia, drawing millions of dollars in betting wagers and live attendance each year. Furthermore, the sport features motorcycle, stock-car, and Indy Car races across the country’s various circuits.
In addition, Mount Panorama hosts the Bathurst 1000 each October, one of Australia’s most iconic motor racing events. Specifically, the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne draws international audiences each March.
- Major Australian events: Australian F1 Grand Prix, Bathurst 1000
- Motor sports rank: 4th most attended sport in Australia
- Top circuits: Mount Panorama (Bathurst), Albert Park (Melbourne), Phillip Island
- Major series: Supercars Championship, Formula 1, MotoGP, V8 Supercars
- Annual betting volume: Millions in wagers placed each year
10. Golf: High Participation Across All States
Golf rounds out the top 10 with high participation rates across all Australian states. Furthermore, the country boasts world-class golf courses across coastal hotspots, attracting both Australian players and international tourists.
In addition, professional golf is supported by the Australian PGA Championship and Australian Open, both major events on the international PGA Tour calendar. Specifically, golf participation rates rank second only to swimming nationally.
- Participation rate: Second-highest among all sports
- Major Australian events: Australian Open Golf, Australian PGA Championship
- World-class courses: Royal Melbourne, Royal Adelaide, Kingston Heath
- Iconic Australian players: Adam Scott, Jason Day, Cameron Smith, Hannah Green
- Tournament viewership: Strong international PGA Tour audiences
Most Played Sports in Australia (Participation)
Furthermore, while AFL leads on attendance and supporter base, swimming tops the participation rankings. Specifically, the participation table below shows the leading sports across Australian adults and children combined.
| Sport | Approximate Participants |
|---|---|
| Swimming | 3.1 million |
| Aerobics | 2.5 million+ |
| Golf | 2 million+ |
| Tennis | 1.5 million+ |
| Lawn Bowls | 1.2 million+ |
| Netball | 1 million+ |
| Cricket (outdoor) | 700,000+ |
| Martial Arts | 600,000+ |
| Basketball | 1 million+ |
| Tenpin Bowling | 500,000+ |
Regional Differences in Sport Popularity
Furthermore, sport popularity in Australia varies significantly across the country’s six states and two territories. Specifically, the regional breakdown highlights how different codes dominate different parts of Australia.
- Victoria: AFL dominates with multiple clubs based in Melbourne
- New South Wales: Rugby League (NRL) leads, especially in Sydney
- Queensland: Rugby League and AFL split popularity, with the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns
- South Australia: AFL dominates with Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide
- Western Australia: AFL dominates with West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers
- Tasmania: AFL dominates as the new Tasmania Devils prepare for AFL entry
- Northern Territory: AFL is the dominant code despite small population
- Australian Capital Territory: Rugby Union (Brumbies) and AFL share regional support
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Conclusion: AFL Leads Australia’s Sporting Calendar in 2026
In summary, Australian Rules Football (AFL) is the most popular sport in Australia in 2026, with 9.72 million club supporters and the AFL Grand Final holding the highest attendance of any club championship in the world. Furthermore, Rugby League (NRL) leads on television viewership with 174 million cumulative audiences across 2025, while cricket remains the national summer sport with 8 million fans.
Specifically, swimming tops the participation rankings with 3.1 million Australians taking part each year, followed by golf and tennis. Moreover, regional variations across NSW, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia mean that different sporting codes dominate different parts of the country. As a result, Australian sport’s diversity reflects the country’s rich sporting culture across its 28 million population.
