Determining the most popular sport by state is easier said than done, with a variety of factors that need to be considered. Viewing figures, ticket sales, online searches, and other factors all provide metrics that determine sports popularity and should be explored.
The popularity of different sports is also affected by different factors, including the professional teams operating out of specific states and their success. Looking at the country as a whole, American football is by far the most popular sport, followed by Basketball, baseball, boxing, ice hockey, soccer, and golf.
We have focused on Nevada and its neighbouring states to find the most popular sports and see if there are any obvious factors that have influenced the people of these states.
Nevada
For a state that is largely desert, it might come as a surprise to discover that the NHL is Nevada's most popular sport. It could be that sports fans in the state crave a cooler sporting experience, and the success of the Vegas Golden Knights has also helped.
Sports fans who have taken advantage of betting apps in Nevada would have struck it lucky in 2023, not the first time gamblers would have hit the big time in Vegas, when the Golden Knights won the Stanley Cup, despite only being established in 2016.
California
In California, the LA Dodgers have had a massive impact on sports fans, resulting in Major League Baseball being the state’s favorite sport. Of course, other teams will also have helped, with the Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, and San Francisco Giants all ensuring fans are well catered to in the state.
Oregon
The NBA leads the way in Oregon with the Portland Trail Blazers operating as the state's representative. Despite not qualifying for the playoffs since the 2020/21 season, when they were beaten by the Denver Nuggets, NBA support in the state remains strong.
Idaho
Despite the NFL being the most popular sport in the country, college ball holds a special interest for residents of Idaho. The Vandals, the University of Idaho's team, and the Broncos, the Boise State University side, both have strong football programs; as a result, interest is high in the state.
The Vandals currently compete in the NCAA Division I, and the University of Idaho's football program has been running for 132 years, winning 11 conference titles in that time.
Utah
Utah currently favors the NBA, with the Utah Jazz representing the state. Despite never winning a championship, the team did enjoy success in the late '90s, winning the conference title in 1997 and 1998.
Arizona
The NBA is also the top sport in Arizona, with the Phoenix Suns as its franchise team. Three conference titles in 1976, 1993, and 2021, but no championships put them in a similar bracket as the Utah Jazz, but they can still rely on strong support from the state.
Though none of the states mentioned have the NFL as their leading sport, it goes to show that it must still be popular among these states to still rank so highly.