The sports landscape of South America is overwhelmingly dominated by a single sport, but the depth and passion for the others are immense, often varying drastically by country.
For 2026, the list remains highly traditional, but with a few sports gaining serious momentum due to international success and growing professional leagues.
Here are the top 10 sports in South America (comprising the 12 sovereign nations and 3 territories), ranked by a combination of viewer passion, media coverage, and participation:
🏆 The Top 10 Sports in South America (2026)
| Rank | Sport | Key Characteristics & Regional Dominance |
| 1 | Association Football (Soccer/Fútbol) | The undisputed cultural, economic, and competitive king. The passion for the national teams (Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay) and club leagues (Copa Libertadores) is unparalleled globally. It is the most popular sport in every country except Venezuela and the Guianas. |
| 2 | Volleyball / Beach Volleyball | Extremely popular, particularly in Brazil, which is a global powerhouse and major Olympic medal contender. It is the second most played sport in schools in Brazil and is highly popular as a recreational beach sport across the continent. |
| 3 | Basketball | Highly popular, especially in Argentina (due to a history of Olympic success and NBA stars) and Brazil. The game maintains a strong professional league presence (e.g., Liga Nacional de Básquet in Argentina) and high grassroots participation. |
| 4 | Baseball | The dominant sport in the northern regions, specifically Venezuela (where it surpasses soccer) and the northern coast of Colombia. The flow of South American players to U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) ensures high viewership and massive youth interest. |
| 5 | Athletics (Track & Field) | While not a daily viewership sport, it holds immense importance due to the Olympic success of athletes from countries like Brazil and Colombia in sprints, throws, and distance events, making it a source of national pride during international meets. |
| 6 | Motorsports (Auto Racing) | Possesses an intense traditional following, primarily in Brazil (fueled by the legacy of Fittipaldi, Senna, and Piquet in Formula 1) and Argentina. Rallying is also a major sport in several Andean nations. |
| 7 | Rugby Union | Strong and dedicated following, driven almost entirely by Argentina (The Pumas), who have experienced significant international success and participate in global competitions like the Rugby World Cup and The Rugby Championship. It is growing in Uruguay and Chile. |
| 8 | Tennis | High individual popularity and media coverage, spurred by the success of Argentine (like Del Potro, Schwartzman) and Brazilian players on the ATP Tour. The clay courts are a South American specialty, and interest peaks during the Grand Slams. |
| 9 | Combat Sports | This category includes Boxing (with a long history of professional champions in Argentina, Colombia, and Venezuela) and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu/MMA. MMA, in particular, is exploding in popularity across Brazil and is one of the nation’s top five most-watched sports. |
| 10 | Field Hockey | Driven by the iconic success of the Argentine Women’s National Team (“Las Leonas”), who are consistently among the world’s best. This has led to strong participation rates and media focus in Argentina and Uruguay. |
Key Takeaways
Dominance of Futebol: It is nearly impossible to overstate the cultural and commercial gap between soccer and every other sport in South America.
Northern vs. Southern Split: The popularity of Baseball in the Caribbean-influenced nations (Venezuela, Colombia) offers a clear regional split from the dominance of Rugby and Field Hockey in the southern cone (Argentina, Chile).
Olympic Legacy: Sports like Volleyball and Athletics benefit immensely from South America’s consistent medal success in the Olympic Games.
