Sport is one of the most popular activities in Australia, with the country known for its success in sports. So, what are the most popular sports in Australia you ask? We have compiled a list of the 10 most popular Australian sports and why.

10. Netball

Netball has been playing in Australia since 1897. Netball is Australia's largest team sport, played by more than 1.2 million men, women and kids across the world. Among Australian girls it's also the number one competition sport. In addition to that, since 1963 Australia's international team, the Diamonds, has won 10 of the 14 Netball World Tournament.

9. National Rugby League

It comes as no surprise that NRL is one of Australia's most popular sports. There are about 170,000 registered NRL players across Australia, but over 770,000 people are playing various versions of the sport.

8. Cricket

The summer calls for a cricket game. It is not only played competitively, it is also known as a great beach or backyard sport. Let's face it, nothing can beat a good old backyard cricket game.

7. Tennis

Tennis is an ideal social sport but it's also very popular in Australia as a competitive sport. Every year more than 2.3 million people take part in tennis events.

6. Australian Football League

Apart from being one of Australia's most played sports, AFL is also among the most watched sports, especially in Victoria and South Australia. More than 1.5 million people participate in this sport, and it keeps growing every year.

5. Basketball

The sport has definitely grown in popularity in Australia after Australian basket ballers made it in the big league over in America. One out of three Australians has an interest in basketball according to Sweeney Sports reports.

4. Dancing

I know what you must be thinking, dancing…a sport? But dancing is an incredibly popular activity in Australia, there is no denying it. More than 1.3 million people dance, 743,000 of them aged between the ages of just 6 – 13.

3. Soccer

Since the 1800s, soccer has been played in Australia, with more than 2 million people currently playing soccer in our country. Soccer has a participation of 48.7 percent for children aged 6 to 13.

2. Cycling

Most kids learn how to ride a bike at a very young age, usually a lot younger than most kids do at any sport at first. As a result, cycling has become one of our most popular sports, with more than 2.4 million people taking part. Either competitive, or as a mode of transportation, cycling's popularity continues to grow as we speak.

1. Swimming

Swimming is Australia's most popular sport and regularly involves 3.1 million people. Regardless of age, Australians just seem to love their swimming, which isn't surprising given how hot it is for most of the year in Australia and how amazing all our beaches are.

Source: https://www.onthegosports.com.au/news/10-most-popular-sports-australia