The Most Popular Football Code in Australia, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the football code you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:37
In Australia, debates often arise among friends and sports enthusiasts regarding which type of football captures the nation's heart the most. By creating a ranking based on user votes, we can get a clearer picture of the crowd's favorite and settle friendly arguments with solid data. This method not only enhances understanding but also engages the community in a fun and interactive way.
As users cast their votes, they contribute to a live ranking that reflects current opinions across the country. This dynamic listing helps new fans understand the popularity landscape and guides them in exploring the sport further. Moreover, such rankings can evolve with time, offering up-to-date insights into shifts in fan preferences and the growing trends in Australian football.
What Is the Most Popular Football Code in Australia?
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136votesThe most popular football code in Australia, with the highest attendance figures and TV viewership. It has a rich history and culture in Australia, and is played professionally by 18 teams nationwide.Australian Rules Football (AFL) is a popular football code in Australia that originated in the mid-19th century. It is a unique and fast-paced contact sport played with an oval-shaped ball on a large oval field. The game combines elements of soccer, rugby, and Gaelic football, resulting in a distinctive style of play.
- Playing Field: An oval-shaped field with a length between 135-185 meters and a width between 110-155 meters.
- Teams: Each team consists of 18 players on the field at a time, with additional interchange players on the sideline.
- Scoring: Points are scored by kicking the ball between the two large goal posts for a goal (worth 6 points) or between the goal post and smaller posts for a behind (worth 1 point).
- Ball: An oval-shaped leather ball specifically designed for Australian Rules Football.
- Duration: A game consists of four quarters, each lasting approximately 20 minutes of playing time.
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240votesThe second-most popular football code in Australia, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland. It is played professionally by 16 teams nationwide and has a strong following.Rugby League is a popular football code in Australia that originated from the United Kingdom. It is a full-contact team sport that features two teams of thirteen players each, trying to score points by carrying the ball and touching it down in the opposition's goal area. The game is known for its fast pace, physicality, and intensity.
- Number of Players: 13 players per team
- Field Size: 100 meters long and 68 meters wide
- Playing Time: Two halves of 40 minutes each
- Scoring: 4 points for a try, 2 points for a conversion kick, 1 point for a penalty goal or drop goal
- Tackling: Players can be tackled above the waist and must be held until they 'play the ball' with their foot.
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311votesGrowing in popularity in Australia, particularly among younger generations and migrant communities. It is played professionally by 12 teams in the A-League and has a dedicated following.Soccer, also known as Association Football, is the most popular football code in Australia. It is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players, with the objective of scoring goals by getting the ball into the opposing team's net. The game is played on a rectangular field with a goal at each end. Soccer is known for its fast-paced gameplay, skilled ball handling, and strategic moves.
- Number of players: Eleven players per team
- Field dimensions: Length: 100-110 meters, Width: 64-75 meters
- Goal dimensions: Height: 2.44 meters, Width: 7.32 meters
- Duration of match: Two halves of 45 minutes each, with additional stoppage time
- Gameplay: Continuous play with only the goalkeeper allowed to use their hands
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412votesPlayed at a professional level by four teams in the Super Rugby competition, and has a strong following in certain regions of Australia, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland.Rugby Union is a popular football code in Australia that is played with two teams of 15 players each. It is known for its physicality and teamwork, combining elements of strategy, skill, and athleticism. The objective is to score points by advancing the ball towards the opposition's goal line and grounding it in their in-goal area.
- Number of players: 15 per team
- Field dimensions: Approximately 100 meters long and 70 meters wide
- Scoring methods: Try (5 points), conversion kick (2 points), penalty kick (3 points), and drop goal (3 points)
- Duration: Two halves of 40 minutes each, with a halftime break
- Forward pass: Not allowed; the ball must be passed backward or kicked forward
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513votesA traditional Irish sport played in Australia by Irish ex-pats and their descendants. It has a small but dedicated following.Gaelic Football is a popular sport in Australia, primarily played within the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) community. It originated in Ireland and combines elements of soccer, rugby, and basketball. The game is known for its fast-paced nature and physicality, attracting both players and spectators alike.
- Pitch Size: Between 130-145 meters long and 80-90 meters wide.
- Teams: Two teams of 15 players each.
- Ball: A round ball similar in size and weight to a soccer ball.
- Scoring Methods: Points (over the crossbar) and goals (under the crossbar) are the two ways to score.
- Duration: Generally played over two halves of 30 minutes each.
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68votes
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Michael A. Lantron, USN · Public domainA growing sport in Australia, particularly among high school and college students. It has a small but dedicated following.American Football is a popular team sport in the United States that is characterized by strategic gameplay, physical contact, and tactical intricacies. It is played with an oval-shaped ball on a rectangular field, and the objective is to score points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone, either by running with it or throwing it to a teammate. American Football is known for its unique combination of athleticism, strategy, and skill.- Field Dimensions: The field is 120 yards long and 53.3 yards wide, with additional end zones on each end.
- Players: Each team consists of 11 players on the field at a time.
- Playing Time: The game consists of four 15-minute quarters, with breaks in between.
- Positions: There are various specialized positions, including quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, linemen, and defensive players.
- Scoring: Points can be scored through touchdowns (6 points), extra point kicks or two-point conversions (1 or 2 points), field goals (3 points), or safeties (2 points).
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75votes
Touch Football
Bob DykeA non-contact version of Rugby League that is popular among social and recreational players. It has a large participation rate but is not played at a professional level.Touch Football is a non-contact version of rugby football popular in Australia. It is played with two teams, each aiming to score touchdowns by grounding the ball over the opponent's goal line. Touching the ball carrier counts as a tackle, and the possession is turned over to the opposing team. The game emphasizes speed, agility, and skillful passing, making it accessible to a wide range of players.- Field Size: 70 meters long by 50 meters wide
- Team Size: 6 players per team
- Game Duration: Usually two 20-minute halves
- Equipment: A rugby ball and suitable attire (e.g., shorts, jersey, and boots)
- Playing Surface: Grass or artificial turf
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810votesA variant of soccer played indoors on a smaller court. It is growing in popularity in Australia, particularly among young players. It is not played at a professional level.Futsal is a fast-paced indoor version of football that is played on a hard court surface. It is a popular sport in Australia and around the world.
- Court Size: Approximately 38m x 20m
- Team Size: 5 players per team
- Ball Size: Size 4 ball
- Playing Surface: Hard court with lines marking boundaries and goals
- Duration: Two halves of 20 minutes, with a short halftime break
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93votes
Gridiron Football
Walter CampA variant of American Football played on a smaller field with fewer players. It has a small but dedicated following in Australia.Gridiron Football, also known as American Football, is a popular football code in Australia. It is a highly strategic and physically demanding sport that originated in the United States. The game is played with an oval-shaped ball on a field measuring 100 yards long and 53.3 yards wide. The objective is to score more points than the opposing team by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone or kicking it through their goalposts. The creator of Gridiron Football is Walter Camp, often referred to as the 'Father of American Football,' who played a key role in developing the modern rules of the game.- Ball Shape: Oval-shaped
- Field Dimensions: 100 yards long by 53.3 yards wide
- Game Objective: Score more points by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone or kicking it through their goalposts
- Number of Players: 11 players per team
- Game Duration: Four quarters of 15 minutes each
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1010votesA non-contact sport played with a flying disc. It has a small but dedicated following in Australia, particularly among young players. It is not played at a professional level.Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact team sport played with a flying disc (Frisbee). It combines elements of football, soccer, and basketball, with a unique disc-based gameplay. The objective of the game is to score points by passing the disc to a teammate in the opposing team's end zone, similar to scoring a touchdown in American football.
- Number of Players: Usually played with 7 players per team.
- Field Size: Typically played on a field with dimensions of approximately 100 meters long and 37 meters wide.
- Game Duration: Games are typically played to a certain score or for a specific time, with most games ending when one team reaches 15 points.
- Spirit of the Game: Ultimate Frisbee emphasizes sportsmanship and fair play, with a self-officiating system and an emphasis on mutual respect.
- Non-Contact: Ultimate Frisbee is a non-contact sport, with players not allowed to physically impede opponents.
Ultimate Frisbee in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most underrated sport
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Ranking factors for popular football code
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Participation ratesAnalyzing the number of people actively playing or involved in each football code can help determine its popularity. This includes both professional and amateur levels, as well as youth and adult participation.
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Television and media coverageThe amount of media attention and television broadcasts dedicated to each football code can indicate its popularity. Higher ratings and more extensive coverage typically suggest a larger audience and fan base.
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Attendance at matchesThe number of fans attending games and the average attendance per match can show the popularity of a football code. Greater attendance figures usually mean stronger support and more interest in the sport.
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Social media presence and engagementExamining the number of followers, likes, comments, and shares each football code gets on social media platforms can provide insight into its popularity among fans and the general public.
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Club membershipsThe number of memberships or supporters registered with clubs in each football code can highlight its popularity. More memberships can indicate more significant fan engagement and investment in the sport.
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Merchandise salesAnalyzing the sales of branded merchandise, such as jerseys, hats, and scarves, can help gauge the popularity of a football code. Higher sales often point to larger and more devoted fan bases.
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Sponsorship and advertising revenueThe amount of financial support a football code receives from sponsors and advertisers can be indicative of its popularity. Higher investments from sponsors generally suggest more significant public interest in the sport.
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Infrastructure and facilitiesThe quality and quantity of stadiums, training facilities, and other infrastructure dedicated to each football code can be an indicator of its popularity and support from governing bodies.
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Grassroots programs and development pathwaysThe number and reach of grassroots programs and development pathways for each football code can highlight its popularity and investment in its future.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular football code in Australia. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or football is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1649 views
- 149 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each football once every 24 hours. The rank of each football is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular football code in australia
Australia is a country that has a deep love for sports, and football is no exception. However, when it comes to football, there are four different codes that are played across the country: Australian Rules football, Rugby League, Rugby Union, and Soccer. Each of these codes has its own unique set of rules, traditions, and fanbase.
Australian Rules football, commonly known as "Aussie Rules," is the most popular football code in Australia. It is a fast-paced, high-scoring game that is played on an oval-shaped field with an oval-shaped ball. Aussie Rules is predominantly played in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania.
Rugby League and Rugby Union are two different versions of rugby that are played in Australia. Rugby League is the more popular of the two, particularly in New South Wales and Queensland. It is a game that is played with thirteen players on each team, and the aim is to score points by carrying the ball over the opponent's try line. Rugby Union is played with fifteen players on each team and is more popular in Victoria.
Soccer, or football as it is known in most parts of the world, is also played in Australia. It is the most popular sport globally, but in Australia, it is the least popular of the four football codes. Soccer is played with eleven players on each team, and the aim is to score goals by kicking the ball into the opponent's net.
Overall, while there are four different football codes played in Australia, Australian Rules football stands out as the most popular
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