The Popularity Of Rugby Around The World

Worldwide.

Rugby is easily one of the most popular sports around the world. After all, it combines the best sports elements in one fun-filled game. But how popular is this game? According to statistics, there are more than 6 million registered players worldwide, with over 150,000 rugby union clubs to boot! So, you can imagine that the rugby-watching audience is just as big, if not bigger.

And if you look at the numbers, it’s pretty clear that the viewership more than matches the number of registered players.

The growth and popularity of this sport have opened up a wide range of sports betting markets. And the best bookmakers in the UK have been quick to capitalize on this aspect, urging punters to place wagers on rugby. Punters have heeded this call thanks to bookie bonuses, promotions, and other rewards, and more people are wagering on rugby worldwide. When you couple this with the number of players and rugby clubs, it’s easy to see why rugby is inching its way to the top.

Why is Rugby So Popular?

Let’s have some fun. We will cover each unique aspect of rugby and top it off with some figures. Ready?

• Rugby has a rebellious aspect: Rugby did not start conventionally. Instead, it all began when William Webb Ellis grabbed the football ball by hand and ran with it, which was not in line with the rules. And many people have embraced this rebellious streak, glad to see that someone has the guts to do something they wish they could. Did you know that more than 800 million people watched the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup? That kind of viewership was unseen and unheard of in the previous years, which was a show of just how much the sport had grown.

• Rugby is Ingrained in Tradition: There are many traditional aspects of rugby matches. And these have carried on over the decades. For example, the sevens series is widely appreciated by fans and players worldwide who show up in throngs, ready to celebrate yet another milestone of these events. And with more than 400 million rugby fans across the globe, every fan has a tradition that speaks to their love for the game.

• Rugby is Entertaining: Watching rugby players go at it passionately is fascinating. With each touchdown and each run, you can feel as the tension and excitement in the fans increases. Fans even cheer when players smash into each other and watch in anticipation, eager to see the player that comes out on top. And how could they not? They get to watch players live out their wildest dreams, somehow living vicariously through the players’ brave acts. In the UK, at least 200,000 people watch rugby events each time. That is quite a fete in a country with more than 2,000 rugby clubs and more than 130,000 registered players.

• Rugby Follows Laws: While the game may look quite violent with players running after and jumping on each other, rugby has a set of laws. And as such, it requires discipline. It takes a lot for players to train and show up to the games. It takes even more for a player to remain motivated even when the situation seems bleak. And because of this, fans respect the game and its players. In France, more than 360,000 people are registered rugby players. Its fans love the game so much that at least half a million fans tune in to watch each game. How’s that for popular?

• Rugby is Welcoming: Everyone is welcome to rugby games as a player or fan. And this is quite evident in the gameplay as players of all sizes and ages come together with one common goal. The camaraderie carries on to the fans who, despite their differences, find it easy to engage with each other even when their sides are losing. So, it is unsurprising that more than 79,000 people in Italy are registered rugby players. Who would not want to be part of such a fun sport?

All in all, rugby is one of the most diverse games where you can feel a sense of community, and nobody is ever on the outside looking in. There are so many roles one can fill in this sport. If you’re not playing, you can coach, wager on the sport, or write about it – there is something for everyone!

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