The Global Showdown: Is Soccer Bigger than Football?

Is soccer bigger than football? The question sparks endless debates across the world. Fans of both sports passionately support their favorite game. Soccer is popular in various countries, while football rules in others.

The battle isn’t just about numbers; it’s about culture, history, and identity. This exploration explores the heart of the debate, which examines which sport has the crown. If you’re a soccer or football lover, this answer may surprise you.

Soccer and Football Popularity

Let’s compare the Soccer and Football Popularity in detail.

Global Fan Base

Soccer is the undisputed champ among global fans. Football gets everyone off their seats in most parts of the world.

The FIFA World Cup, which is held every four years, is a good example. In 2006, Topend Sports reported that over 30 billion people watched the World Cup in the country “Germany.” There is no doubt that soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. That figure is mind-blowing.

Meanwhile, American football is famous in the U.S. but not gaining widespread popularity. The Super Bowl, the NFL’s championship game, attracts millions of viewers, but it’s far from soccer’s global popularity.

If you are interested to know why some countries name it soccer and other countries call it football, check out our article on which countries call it soccer vs football.

TV Viewership Statistics

Soccer and American football gaps are even more prominent in TV viewership. The Final FIFA World Cup is one of the most-watched events in the world.

The final in 2018 between Croatia and France had an overall live audience of 517 million viewers, with more than 1.1 billion watching during the final match. Earlier numbers for the 2022 event in Qatar indicate almost 1.5 billion people will attend.

In contrast, while extremely popular in the U.S., the Super Bowl has not gained international popularity. The 2022 Super Bowl had an average of 99.2 million viewers on NBC, with approximately to be around 30 to 50 million watching worldwide.

Social media is also a game-changer for sports fans. Broadcasters and marketers use digital platforms to keep fans engaged and boost revenue (Greenfly).

Soccer or football, as it is known to numerous, has a significantly higher global popularity and viewership than American football According to the numbers. The sport’s universal appeal is clear whether you prefer soccer or football.

For more on the terminology and how the sport is viewed in different cultures, visit our article on should I say soccer or football?.

Soccer vs Football Economics

The money game is a big deal when you compare soccer to football. Let’s discuss team values and player paychecks to see who’s making it big.

Team Values

Soccer and football have some of the priciest teams. Spain’s Real Madrid is the top soccer dog worth $4.2 billion. They brought in $896 million in revenue and pocketed $112 million in operating income.

Their deal with Adidas, running until June 2028, obtains in $113 million per year, over 20% of merch sales.

On the other side, the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys are the football kings, valued at $5 billion. They’ve held this title for 13 years straight.

Player Paychecks

Regarding player earnings, soccer stars often leave football players in the dust. Regarding player earnings, soccer stars often leave football players in the dust. In 2019, Messi ranked 1st on Forbes’ list of the World’s Highest-Paid Soccer Players, earning $127 million.

Ronaldo and Neymar followed closely. While NFL players also earn good money, their earnings typically don’t match soccer players. This is due to the NFL’s salary cap, which restricts teams’ spending on players.

So, what’s the takeaway? While football teams like the Dallas Cowboys are worth more, soccer players like Messi and Ronaldo often earn more significant paychecks.