Top 10 cricket-following countries in the world
1. India
- Cricket is India’s most popular sport, with an estimated following of over 900 million people. This accounts for more than 70% of the country’s population.
- The sport is strongly established in Indian society, with over 200 million people estimated to watch cricket matches on television each year.
- Cricket is nearly a religion in India, with a vast and devoted following. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the world’s most popular domestic cricket leagues.
- The success of the Indian national team is another aspect that contributes to cricket’s popularity in India.
- India has won the World Cup three times and is a regular participant in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which is the world’s richest cricket tournament.
Here are some statistics on cricket fan following in India:
- Over 900 million people in India are cricket fans.
- Over 70% of the Indian population follows cricket.
- Over 200 million people watch cricket matches on television each year.
- The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the world’s richest cricket league.
- The IPL is broadcast to a global audience of over 200 million people.
2. Pakistan
- Cricket is extremely popular in Pakistan, and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has contributed to the sport’s rise in the country.
- Cricket is one of Pakistan’s most popular sports, with an estimated fan base of more than 120 million people. This accounts for more than half of the country’s population.
- The sport is strongly ingrained in Pakistani society, with over 80 million Pakistanis reported to watch cricket matches on television each year.
Here is some data about cricket fanaticism in Pakistan:
- Over 120 million people in Pakistan are cricket enthusiasts, accounting for more than half of the country’s population.
- Every year, around 80 million people watch cricket matches on television.
- Pakistan’s national cricket team has won the Cricket World Cup once.
3. Bangladesh
- Cricket has gained in popularity rapidly in Bangladesh, especially following its great results in international cricket.
- With an estimated fan base of more than 160 million people, cricket is the most popular sport in Bangladesh. This accounts for more than 90% of the country’s population.
- The sport is strongly established in Bangladeshi society, with over 100 million people reported to watch cricket matches on television each year.
Here is some data about cricket fanaticism in Bangladesh:
- Bangladesh has a population of around 160 million cricket lovers.
- Cricket is followed by more than 90% of the Bangladeshi population.
- Every year, around 100 million people watch cricket matches on television.
- Bangladesh’s national cricket team has won the Cricket World Cup once.
4. South Africa
- South Africa has a strong cricketing culture, with a loyal fan base for both domestic and international cricket.
- Cricket is one of South Africa’s most popular sports, with an estimated fan base of more than 120 million people. This accounts for more than half of the country’s population.
- The sport is strongly established in South African society, with over 80 million people reported to watch cricket matches on television each year.
Here is some data regarding South African cricket fanaticism:
- Over 120 million South Africans are cricket enthusiasts, accounting for more than half of the country’s population.
- Every year, around 80 million people watch cricket matches on television.
- South Africa’s national cricket team has won the Cricket World Cup once.
5. West Indies
- Cricket has a special role in the Caribbean, with West Indian nations dominating international cricket at various points in time.
- With an estimated following of over 90 million people, cricket is the most popular sport in the West Indies. This accounts for more than 70% of the country’s population.
- The sport is strongly established in West Indian society, with over 200 million people estimated to watch cricket matches on television each year.
West Indies Cricket Fan Following Statistics:
- Cricket is enjoyed by about 90 million people in the West Indies.
- Cricket is followed by more than 70% of the West Indian population.
- Every year, almost 200 million people watch cricket matches on television.
- The West Indies national team has won the Cricket World Cup twice.
6. Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka has a strong cricket fan base, and the sport is deeply ingrained in the country’s culture. The Sri Lankan team has had a lot of success in international cricket.
- With an estimated fan base of over 22 million people, cricket is the most popular sport in Sri Lanka. This accounts for more than 70% of the country’s population. The sport is strongly established in Sri Lankan society, with over 15 million people reported to watch cricket matches on television each year.
Sri Lanka Cricket Fan Following Statistics:
- Cricket is enjoyed by around 22 million people in Sri Lanka.
- Over 70% of the Sri Lankan population is a cricket fan.
- Every year, almost 15 million people watch cricket matches on television.
- The Sri Lankan national team has won the Cricket World Cup once.
7. England
- England is the founding nation of cricket, which has a dedicated and passionate fan base.
- The Ashes series played between England and Australia is a historic, anticipated, and highly watched event in cricket.
- Cricket is the second-most popular sport in England and has a significant fan following. The estimated fan following of cricket in England is 13 million.
- Cricket has a deep-rooted presence in English culture and tradition.
Here are some statistics that highlight the popularity of cricket in England:
- 13 million people in England watch cricket.
- Cricket is England’s second-most popular spectator sport, with over 2.9 million people expected to attend matches in 2022.
- There are 400,000 registered players with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).
- Since its beginning in 2021, The Hundred, England’s new 100-ball cricket league, has attracted an average of over 14,000 spectators per match.
8. Afghanistan
- Cricket is becoming more popular in Afghanistan, and the Afghan national team has made substantial progress in international competition.
- With an estimated fan base of more than 9 million individuals, cricket is a popular sport in Afghanistan. This accounts for more than 20% of the country’s population, and the sport has grown in popularity in recent years, particularly with the advent of the Afghan national team, which has enjoyed remarkable success in international cricket competitions.
Afghanistan Cricket Fan Following Statistics
- In Afghanistan, about 9 million individuals consider themselves cricket lovers.
- Cricket is one of Afghanistan’s most popular spectator sports, with over 5 million people watching matches each year.
- Over 100,000 players are enrolled with the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB).
- The Afghanistan Premier League (APL), the country’s yearly cricket competition, and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) have over 100,000 registered players.
- The Afghanistan Premier League (APL), the country’s domestic Twenty20 cricket competition, attracts an average attendance of over 15,000 per match.
9. Australia
- Cricket has a large following in Australia since it has a long history. The country is known for holding competitions around the world and has a robust domestic system. Recently, Australia won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023
- Cricket is strongly embedded in Australian culture and is regarded as the country’s national summer sport.
- The sport has a huge fan base across Australia, with an estimated 4.5 million Australians regularly participating in recreational cricket.
- Cricket is Australia’s most popular sport to watch on television, with over 2 million people tuning in each year.
- The Big Bash League (BBL), Australia’s domestic Twenty20 cricket league, draws an average of over 20,000 spectators per match.
- The Australian men’s cricket team is one of the most successful in the world.
Here are some statistics on cricket fan following in Australia:
- Over 4.5 million Australians regularly participate in recreational cricket.
- Cricket is the most popular sport to watch on television in Australia, with over 2 million people tuning in to matches each year.
- The Big Bash League (BBL), Australia’s domestic Twenty20 cricket competition, attracts an average attendance of over 20,000 per match.
- The Australian men’s national cricket team is one of the most successful in the world, having won five Cricket World Cups and numerous other major tournaments
10. New Zealand
- Cricket is a popular sport in New Zealand, and the country boasts a strong national team. The sport has a devoted fan base, particularly during major events.
- Cricket is a popular sport in New Zealand, with an estimated 4.5 million fans. This accounts for more than 90% of the country’s population.
- The sport is very important in New Zealand culture, and it is believed that over 3 million people watch cricket matches on television every year.
Here are some statistics that show how popular cricket is in New Zealand:
- Over 4.5 million people in New Zealand consider themselves cricket lovers.
- Cricket is New Zealand’s second-most popular spectator sport, with over 1.5 million people attending matches each year.
- The New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC), the governing body of cricket in New Zealand, has over 40,000 registered players.
- The annual Ford Trophy, which is New Zealand’s domestic one-day cricket competition, attracts an average attendance of over 10,000 per match.