Top 20 Greatest Sports Leagues in the World

#20: MLS

For years, it seemed as if football would never truly catch on in the United States as it had abroad. But with the injection of superstars like David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and more recently, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi, things are certainly looking up. The MLS now has a roster of teams that can compete at a high level. Sure, they’re not going to cross over the pond and beat the Real Madrids and Barcelonas of the world, but the league is certainly on the rise. Though it had its financial struggles in its early years, the MLS has reached a new peak of commercial viability in the 2020s, and all signs point to it continuing in its growth.

#19: Australian Football League

Aussie Rules Football and Rugby may seem like very similar sports, but apart from the shape of the ball, the two are vastly different. Aussie Rules is played on an oval pitch with four giant posts sticking out from each end. Eighteen players per side take the field in a game full of passing, kicking, and top-notch tackling. The league consists of 18 teams, with each team competing in a 23 game regular season, followed by a single-elimination playoff series. Melbourne is the heart and soul of the league, as 9 of the 18 teams call the coastal city home, but with a country full of passionate fans, the AFL is a completely unique sporting experience.

#18: ONE Championship

Asian fight-promotion ONE Championship isn’t actually a direct competitor to the UFC… which, let’s be real, is probably for the best. ONE do put on MMA fights, but they’ve also diversified their product in many ways - offering grappling and other striking forms a spot in their lineup. Their 4-ounce muay thai, in particular, is becoming quite popular. While it is difficult to know exactly how they’re looking in terms of long-term health, their CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, will tell you that the sky is the limit for ONE. And considering the dynamism of their product, we hope he’s right!

#17: Volleyball Nations League

Volleyball is well and truly a sport on the rise. Though not a big deal in every country, places like Brazil, China, Russia, and the United States are leading the way when it comes to this sport’s growth. At the centre of pro-volleyball is the Volleyball Nations League, a tournament, started in 2018, that has been going from strength to strength in recent years. Russia and France are tied for the most championships since then, with two apiece, but the sport’s popularity in European nations like Poland, Slovenia, and Serbia will likely only continue to rise. One look at their YouTube traffic will tell you exactly how popular this sport is becoming!

#16: UFC

Once seen as the unruly underdog brother to boxing, MMA and its flagship promotion, the UFC, have truly upset the odds at every turn. Ever since their lucrative deal with ESPN, it’s clear that Dana White and co. are here to stay. The emergence of crossover superstars like Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey helped grab the attention of the masses. But in recent years, the UFC has become so popular that it’s not uncommon to see A-list celebrities, or even current presidents in attendance for their bigger shows. With huge yearly revenue, massive social media numbers, and pay-per-view numbers that can finally rival boxing, the only way is up for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

#15: Serie A

Italy’s Serie A is a league that is filled to the brim with historical significance. Some of the greatest players to ever set foot on a football pitch have played in the league, and according to reports, Serie A is in a period of true financial stability. If you love the beautiful game in its most technical form, the balanced nature of the Italian style of play will be right up your street. The league boasts some of the most important rivalries in football - and there hasn’t been a season in decades where the Italians haven’t been competitive with European opposition.

#14: NASCAR

Though it certainly hit a decline in the late 2000s, the emergence of social media has strengthened NASCAR's ability to compete for modern sports fans’ attention. We don’t need to sell you on the joys of watching high speed motorsports, but even if it’s not quite the force it was in the 90s, it remains a staple of American culture. Those within the NASCAR community will tell you that compared to the last decade, it is very much on the rise again - boasting viewing figures that regularly stretch into the millions. And yes, it is still more popular in the United States than Formula 1.

#13: PREM Rugby

Premiership Rugby is not only the peak of English rugby, but it is one of the highest levels of the game in the world. It is considered one of the three highest-level club leagues in Europe alongside Top 14 in France, and the cross-border United Rugby Championship, which includes teams from Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Italy and South Africa. Like many leagues, the regular season is spent battling for a spot in the playoffs - and when those 4 final teams are decided, that’s where things get truly intense. We all love international rugby as much as the next person, but when it comes to club-level, Premiership Rugby is as good as can be.

#12: ATP

The ATP tour has the honor of being the only major tennis tour for high level players. From era to era, its popularity has rarely dipped. The sport always has a way of creating new stars and rivalries. Like any successful sporting organisation, they have embraced social media and online promotion with open arms. Sure, some fans will say that right now we’re experiencing the end of an era, but one look at the history books will tell you that tennis always produces new talent before long.

#11: PGA Tour

You may not have expected to see golf on this list, but those who’ve learned to appreciate the game know exactly why the PGA Tour finds itself among the best leagues in the world. The truly great golfers in the game test their mettle on the Tour, with the best of the best earning coveted ranked positions. The Tour organizes some of the biggest tournaments in the world, hosting championships like the Masters and the U.S. Open. The PGA is tax exempt, and as a result, the league’s total revenue isn’t clear; however with impressive television ratings, the Tour is probably pulling in some equally impressive sponsorship money.

#10: Indian Premier League

Though this cricket league has only been around since 2008, it’s hard to argue against its unprecedented rise as a fan favorite and a hub for the best competition. The Indian Premier League includes 10 franchises, each representing major cities in India, playing in a home and away round robin before the four best teams enter a playoff to determine a champion. The IPL’s quick rise is due in large part to their adoption of the newest format of cricket, Twenty20 (20-20), which ultimately means games last around 3 hours, instead of 3 days. It’s fast paced and exciting, and fans have responded. As a result, the IPL ranks fifth in the world in attendance for outdoor sports, averaging nearly 32,000 fans per game.

#9: Bundesliga

There are a number of incredible football leagues around the world, and considering Germany produces some of the best talent the game has to offer, it’s no surprise they offer up one of the most exciting leagues, as well. The top division of German football, the Bundesliga is home to some of the best teams in the world. Bayern Munich has won The Champions League six times, while Borussia Dortmund boasts some of the most passionate fans in Europe. In addition, the Bundesliga is also arguably the best-run league in world football, where it has some of the cheapest ticket prices out of the major European leagues and the highest average attendance.

#8: UEFA Champions League

When it comes to club football, the UEFA Champions League is undoubtedly the highest level - not just in Europe, but in the entire world. Though attempts to bring world club-level championships into the sport have been admirable, there’s no denying the historic importance of winning a Champions League trophy. For any player or manager, the only thing that is considered more prestigious than winning this title is, of course, taking your own home nation all the way to World Cup glory. But considering that international teams play together quite infrequently, it could be said that the most impressive team-units are found in the Champions League.

#7: La Liga

La Liga has been a powerhouse in world football for years now - bolstered by its immense importance in Spain, but also its relevance in other parts of Europe and South America. There hasn’t been an era in Spanish football where you couldn’t see world-class players representing the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona. But it’s not just a two-team league either. Like any truly great league, there is quality to be found in most La Liga squads. Sure, the Messi and Ronaldo era represented a peak that will be nearly impossible to match, but there are still plenty of superstars on display week-to-week in Spanish football.

#6: NHL

There’s just something about hockey that gets people excited. Is it the speed of the game? The tremendous goals? The fighting? Who’s to say? What we do know, though, is that the NHL is special. It’s a testament to the sport that the league has recovered from two major lockouts since 2004, proving just how dedicated and passionate hockey fans truly are. The NHL has seen legends like Wayne Gretzky and Bobby Orr grace the ice, as well as current world-class stars like Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid. When playoff season comes around and the beards start to grow, magic is in the air for one of the greatest and most competitive tournaments in sports.

#5: Formula One

NASCAR is the tire squealing, adrenaline rush, crash champion of America, but the world’s favorite and fastest racing sport is without question Formula One. Rather than having its drivers race each other on an oval, Formula One takes them on a ride through complex tracks where they’ll have to maneuver sharp turns to test their skill in the fastest course cars on the planet to come out on top. With Grand Prix events all over the world, fans of Formula One line the tracks to get a glimpse of the world’s best drivers in action.

#4: MLB

This one’s all about history, folks. Major League Baseball is about more than just baseball; it’s part of a Nation’s identity. America’s favorite pastime, baseball, is a total experience. It’s about grabbing a hot dog outside the stadium, trying to catch a foul ball, getting up on the big screen, chanting, booing, and making signs. But let’s not forget the competition. We could talk about the ugliness of steroid use, but we’d rather talk about the Sox vs the Yankees, or the Cubs, or the Giants and Dodgers. Take us out to the ball game already.

#3: NBA

The National Basketball Association is the world’s premier basketball league, drawing the top talents in the U.S. and from all around the globe. Right now, that includes the likes of LeBron, Curry, Durant, SGA, Anthony Edwards and other future greats spread throughout a competitive 30-team league. It also has a storied past which includes legends of the game like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul Jabaar, and Magic Johnson, as well classic rivalries like Celtics/Lakers and Bulls/Knicks. The league has seen a lot of growth internationally with more and more international players appearing on teams’ rosters.

#2: Premier League

The world’s most popular sport deserves the world’s most popular league. Boasting some of the most exciting, fast paced football from some of the best players on the planet, the Premier League is the gold standard for football. Teams are solid from the top of the table to the bottom, and on any given match-day you can witness an upset. With famous and storied clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal, Premier League rivalries are a sight to behold. The Premier League boasts the most lucrative television contract in sports, securing its global reach and bringing in fans from anywhere and everywhere.

#1: NFL

Are you ready for some football? Baseball may be America’s pastime, but football is “America’s Game”. Despite having a short season, running from September to February if you count the playoffs, the NFL is a money making machine. For the 18 weeks of the regular season, Americans give up their Sundays to enjoy a day’s worth of televised pigskin, and come playoff time, football fever’s in the air. This all leads to huge advertising bucks, but that hasn’t sacrificed any of the sport’s tradition; In fact, it’s added to it. Tailgating has created its own market for products, while tons of viewers check out the Super Bowl just for the commercials.

What’s your own personal favourite sports league? Let us know in the comments!