Sportingpedia's analysis reveals the NBA as the second most-followed sports league globally with 212.2 million followers, while the EuroLeague ranks 17th with 3.3 million, highlighting basketball's significant digital presence alongside football's dominance.
A recent analysis by Sportingpedia evaluated the social media reach of major sports leagues and tournaments by assessing their total follower counts across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok.
The findings position the NBA as the second most-followed league globally, with 212.2 million followers, while the EuroLeague ranks 17th with 3.3 million.
The goal was to identify the sports entities with the most followers on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. We recorded the follower count for each organization’s official accounts, and the ranking was determined based on the cumulative followers across all four platforms.
Formula 1 and NASCAR are considered individual sports because the drivers race alone on the track, showcasing their skill and precision, despite the car’s performance relying on the expertise of hundreds of engineers and team members behind the scenes.
The UEFA Champions League leads all sports competitions with 311.8 million followers, underscoring football's global dominance.
However, the NBA surpasses the English Premier League (204.6 million) as the most-followed domestic sports league. Other sports organizations exceeding 100 million followers include the FIFA World Cup (150.2 million), UFC (119.1 million), NFL (106.7 million), and the International Cricket Council (104.9 million).
Credit Sportingpedia
The NBA's extensive online following reflects its global appeal and continuous efforts to engage fans through social media. Basketball's digital impact is further emphasized by the NBA's record-breaking engagement in key regions.
The league's 2023-24 regular season was the most viewed across its social and digital platforms in Europe and the Middle East, surpassing 1 billion video views. Similarly, the EuroLeague has experienced increased engagement, reporting a 79% rise in social media impressions, a 27% jump in TV audience, and a 19% growth in attendance.
While basketball remains a dominant force in global sports, football continues to lead social media rankings, with the Champions League, Premier League, and FIFA World Cup occupying three of the top four spots. However, the NBA's ability to maintain a strong digital presence and surpass major football leagues highlights the sport's growing influence.
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