“Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions_028” by Mathew F (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
AFL has long been considered the top sport in Australia, up there with rugby in terms of popularity across the nation. But the game is facing more competition than ever from an ever-increasing number of choices. With so many things for sport enthusiasts to choose from, is the popularity of Aussie Rules coming under fire, or is the top spot on the list of most popular sports in Australia still firmly in the grasp of footy?
Rugby league is, of course, up there with Australian football on the list of the most popular sports in the nation. Both in terms of Australia’s ability to perform at a high level internationally, and the high quality of competition that is brought about by the NRL domestically, it seems like rugby has elevated itself in Australia. But some sports that were once considered niche sports in Australia are also gaining in popularity.
Soccer is one of those sports, as the A-League continues to develop. And the continued success of Australians in the NBA has helped basketball to continue to gain in popularity also. Watching Nick Kyrgios is a roller coaster ride, but tennis has never been more exciting in Australia either. But through all of that, the AFL remains the gold standard.
“Fremantle Dockers vs Geelong – Round 3, 2010” by Michael Spencer (CC BY 2.0)
One big reason for this is the accessibility of Aussie Rules Football and AFL betting. The sport has amplified all of the intensity associated with it by bringing about wagering on not just who will win matches, but more specific topics like goals scored, first goal scorer, and other granular items that can make watching footy more fun than other sports where the wagering doesn’t feel as exciting.
The other reason that Australian football continues to be at the top of the list of beloved sports in Australia is the fact that the game is very Australian in its presentation. Australian athletes are known generally to be hard-working and gritty athletes, and that is the way Australian football is presented. Even in the AFL, the lack of gimmicks to draw attention to the sport make the game feel so much more important than even the biggest games in some other sports.
Even the entertainment in the AFL Grand Final is a no-nonsense exhibition of the sport, rather than a concert like you would see at the Super Bowl or other marquee sporting event. Competitions like the AFL Grand Final sprint can entertain fans, without having to resort to erecting a stage on the field and completely forgetting about the event that is being showcased.
Of course, with so many more viewing options today than there have ever been, the sport can continue to expect competition from all over the landscape. But as long as the game stays true to itself and the sport continues to showcase some of the best athletes in the world, there is no reason that Aussie Rules can’t remain the most popular sport in its country and one of the most popular sports in the world.
