Europe is the global epicenter for several of the world’s most-watched sports. The continent’s sports culture is defined by ancient rivalries, massive club leagues, and high levels of year-round participation.
In 2026, the rankings are heavily influenced by the presence of the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, which will temporarily boost winter sports popularity across the continent.
Here are the top 10 sports in Europe for 2026, ranked by a combination of viewership, media revenue, and mass participation:
The Top 10 Sports in Europe (2026)
| Rank | Sport | Key Leagues & 2026 Influence | Popularity and Regional Dominance |
| 1 | Association Football (Soccer/Fútbol) | UEFA Champions League, Premier League (UK), La Liga (Spain), Bundesliga (Germany) | Undisputed King of European Sport. Dominates viewership, media rights, and youth participation in virtually every country. The Champions League final is one of the continent’s most watched annual events. |
| 2 | Basketball | EuroLeague, various strong national leagues (Spain, Turkey, Greece) | The second most popular team sport in many countries, particularly in Southern and Eastern Europe (Spain, Lithuania, Greece). The EuroLeague is the second most prestigious club competition in the world after the NBA. |
| 3 | Formula 1 / Motorsports | F1 Grand Prix (Monaco, Silverstone, Monza) | Highest viewership among non-team sports. Europe hosts the majority of the F1 calendar and is the birthplace of the sport, dominating its engineering and driving talent. |
| 4 | Tennis | Wimbledon, Roland-Garros (French Open) | Possesses massive media profile due to the Grand Slams and strong European player dominance. High participation in countries like France, Spain, and the UK. |
| 5 | Cycling (Road) | Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España | A national obsession in countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Belgium. The major ‘Grand Tours’ are multi-week cultural and sporting events that dominate summer media coverage. |
| 6 | Rugby Union | Six Nations Championship, Heineken Champions Cup | A powerhouse sport in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France. The Six Nations tournament in early 2026 remains one of the highest-rated sports broadcasts in these nations. |
| 7 | Handball | EHF Champions League, European Men’s Handball Championship (2026) | The dominant team sport in Central and Northern European countries (Germany, Scandinavia, France). It boasts high professional league attendance and high TV ratings during major tournaments. |
| 8 | Athletics (Track & Field) | European Athletics Championships (2026), Diamond League | Massively popular during major events like the Olympics and the 2026 European Athletics Championships (in Birmingham, UK), driven by strong national performances in sprints, middle-distance, and field events. |
| 9 | Ice Hockey | IIHF World Championship, national leagues (Sweden, Finland, Russia, Czechia) | The defining team sport in Nordic and Central/Eastern European countries. Its profile will be significantly elevated by the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. |
| 10 | Winter Sports | 2026 Winter Olympics (Milan-Cortina), Alpine Skiing World Cup | This category includes Alpine Skiing, Biathlon, and Ski Jumping. While regional, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy guarantees a massive continent-wide viewership surge, driving it into the top 10 for that year. |
