Sport in the United States is as important to American culture, as food is to the functioning of the human body. In fact, some may even say it is a religion, worshiped by avid and passionate fans from across the world.
The sporting world in the US is dominated by the four major leagues of football, baseball, basketball and hockey, and this is apparent in the home, in the education system and on the field.
So what’s all the big fuss about? Check out our Guide to US Sports to find out!
In the meantime, here’s a sneak peak…
American Football
Known simply as football or gridiron, American Football is quintessential to any sporting experience in the US.
The NFL is the highest level of professional American Football in the United States and is played between two teams of 11.
The objective of the game is to score points by advancing the ball into the opposing team’s end zone. It involves a lot of running, throwing and tackling and is largely a spectator sport.
Baseball
Baseball in America is almost as standard to the common household as bread and milk. This bat-and-ball sport is played between two teams of nine players each, with the aim of the game to touch four bases arranged at the corners of a diamond before returning to the original place of play.
Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of professional baseball in the US and is comprised of 30 teams, with 29 in the US and one in Canada.
Basketball
Basketball is one of America’s favorite team sports in which two teams of five score points by throwing a ball through the top of a basketball hoop. The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the pre-eminent men’s professional basketball league of America and consists of 30 clubs, 29 of which are in the US, with one in Canada.
Hockey
This family of sports is played in teams in which the aim of the game is to maneuver a ball or puck into the opponent’s goal by using a hockey stick. The sport itself comes in many forms and can be played as field hockey, ice hockey, roller hockey, sledge hockey and street hockey.
Ice Hockey is incredibly popular in the US and is largely associated with the National Hockey League (NHL); an organization considered the premiere professional ice hockey league in the world. The league is currently comprised of 30 teams across the US and Canada.
- Chrissy
Want to find out more about America’s favorite past time. Check out our Guide to US Sports.
