The Most Popular Sport in Manchester, Ranked

Choose the sport you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 2, 2024 06:49
In a city brimming with passionate fans and numerous sporting events, knowing which sport tops the popularity chart can stir quite the conversation. It helps local businesses tailor their products and services and provides a common ground for community engagement. This site offers a unique opportunity for fans to have their say. By casting your vote on what you think is the most popular sport, you actively shape the local sports narrative and ensure your favorite pastime gets the recognition it deserves.

What Is the Most Popular Sport in Manchester?

  1. 1
    26
    votes
    Manchester is home to two of the most famous football clubs in the world, Manchester United and Manchester City. Both teams have a large fan base and the city is known for its football culture.
    Football, also known as soccer, is a popular sport played between two teams of eleven players each. The objective is to score goals by getting the ball into the opposing team's net, using any part of the body except for the arms and hands. It is a highly competitive and strategic game that requires skill, teamwork, and endurance.
    • Number of Players: 11 players per team
    • Field Size: Length: 100-110 meters, Width: 64-75 meters
    • Duration of Match: Two halves of 45 minutes each
    • Ball: Spherical with a circumference of 68-70 cm
    • Goal: 8 feet (2.44 meters) in height and 8 yards (7.32 meters) in width
  2. 2
    45
    votes
    Manchester is also home to the Lancashire County Cricket Club, which has a rich history in the sport and hosts international matches at Old Trafford cricket ground.
    Cricket is a popular bat-and-ball sport played between two teams, each consisting of eleven players. It is commonly referred to as a gentlemen's sport with a rich history and a strong following in countries like India, England, Australia, and Pakistan. The game primarily takes place on a grass field, known as a cricket ground, where the two teams take turns batting and bowling. The objective is to score more runs than the opponent by hitting the ball and running between two sets of wooden wickets.
    • Number of players: 11 players per team
    • Playing surface: Grass field
    • Equipment: Ball, bat, wickets, protective gear
    • Scoring system: Runs, wickets, overs
    • Match format: Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
  3. 3
    16
    votes
    Rugby League - Manchester has a strong rugby league community and is home to the Salford Red Devils and Swinton Lions.
    Rugby League is a popular sport in Manchester, England, with a strong rugby league community. It is played by teams such as the Salford Red Devils and Swinton Lions.
    • Number of players: 13 players on each team
    • Playing field: Rectangular pitch with a maximum length of 100 meters and a width of 68 meters
    • Duration of the game: Two halves of 40 minutes each
    • Scoring: Points are awarded for tries (4 points), conversions (2 points), penalty goals (2 points), and drop goals (1 point)
    • Tackling: Tackles can be made below the shoulders and players must release the ball carrier immediately after the tackle
  4. 4
    17
    votes
    Manchester Giants is a professional basketball team that competes in the British Basketball League.
    Basketball is a fast-paced and exhilarating sport that showcases dynamic athleticism, skillful teamwork, and strategic gameplay. Played by two teams of five players each, the objective is to score points by shooting the ball through the opposing team's hoop. With its high-flying dunks, precision shooting, and rapid ball movement, basketball offers an exciting spectacle that captivates fans worldwide.
    • Number of Players: 5 players per team
    • Playing Surface: Indoor court with a hardwood floor
    • Hoops: Two standard-sized hoops, positioned at opposite ends of the court
    • Ball: Standard basketball with a circumference of 29.5-30 inches
    • Game Duration: Four quarters of 12 minutes each (NBA)
  5. 5
    14
    votes
    Ice Hockey
    Fabien Perissinotto · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Manchester Storm is a professional ice hockey team that plays in the Elite Ice Hockey League.
    Ice hockey is a fast-paced and thrilling sport played on ice, involving two teams of skaters who compete to score goals by shooting a small rubber puck into the opponent's net. It is known for its physicality, speed, and skillful plays, making it one of the most exciting sports to watch and play.
    • Number of players: Each team typically has six players on the ice, including a goaltender.
    • Equipment: Players wear ice skates, helmets, padded gloves, shoulder pads, elbow pads, shin guards, and use a stick to control the puck.
    • Rink dimensions: Ice hockey is played on a rectangular rink that is approximately 200 feet long and 85 feet wide.
    • Duration of play: A standard ice hockey game consists of three 20-minute periods, with stoppages in play for penalties, goals, and intermissions.
    • Penalties: Players can be sent to the penalty box for various infractions, leading to power-play opportunities for the opposing team.
    Ice Hockey in other rankings
  6. 6
    18
    votes
    Manchester hosts the Great Manchester Run, a popular road race that attracts elite athletes and amateur runners.
    Athletics, also known as track and field, is a collection of sports that involve running, jumping, throwing, and walking. It is a popular sport that is widely participated in and enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. The events in athletics can range from short sprints to long-distance races, from high jumps to pole vaults, and from shot puts to javelin throws.
    • Variety of events: Athletics consists of a wide range of events that cater to different strengths and abilities, providing opportunities for athletes with various skill sets to compete.
    • Individual and team competitions: Athletics offers both individual and team events, allowing athletes to participate and compete individually or as part of a team.
    • Physical and mental challenges: Athletics requires not only physical strength, speed, and endurance but also mental focus, strategy, and discipline to excel in different events.
    • World records: Athletics is a sport with numerous world records that serve as benchmarks of human potential and achievements in various disciplines.
    • Global participation: Athletics is a sport that is practiced and enjoyed by millions of people around the world, with international competitions and events attracting the best athletes from different countries.
  7. 7
    10
    votes
    Boxing - Manchester has been home to many famous boxers, including Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan. The city also hosts boxing events at venues such as Manchester Arena.
    Boxing is a popular sport in Manchester, known for producing acclaimed boxers such as Ricky Hatton and Amir Khan. The city hosts various boxing events at venues like the Manchester Arena.
    • Sport Type: Combat sport
    • Popularity: High
    • Boxing Venues: Manchester Arena, various other venues
    • Famous Boxers: Ricky Hatton, Amir Khan
    • Training Centers: Multiple boxing gyms and training centers
  8. 8
    5
    votes
    Manchester Thunder is a professional netball team that competes in the Vitality Netball Superleague.
    Netball is a popular team sport played predominantly by women in Manchester, England. It is similar to basketball but with some key differences. The sport focuses on passing and ball movement, and the goal is to score by shooting the ball through a raised hoop.
    • Teams: Two teams of seven players each.
    • Court: Rectangular court divided into thirds with lines marking the positions players can move within.
    • Positions: Each player has specific positional roles, such as center, wing attack, goal shooter, etc.
    • Ball: Size 5 ball with a circumference of approximately 27 inches.
    • Scoring: A goal is scored when the ball is shot and passes through the hoop.
  9. 9
    10
    votes
    Manchester has many golf courses and is home to the Royal Manchester Golf Club, which has hosted the Ryder Cup and other major tournaments.
    Golf is a precision club-and-ball sport where players use various clubs to hit a small ball into a series of holes on a course in the fewest possible strokes. It is a popular sport played internationally, known for its combination of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship.
    • Number of Players: Usually played individually, but can also be played in teams.
    • Objective: To complete each hole with the fewest number of strokes possible.
    • Equipment: Golf clubs, golf balls, and golf course.
    • Golf Courses: Consist of a series of holes, usually 18, each with a teeing area, fairway, rough, and green.
    • Scoring: Scores are based on the number of strokes taken to complete each hole. The lower the score, the better.
  10. 10
    1
    votes
    Manchester is home to the National Cycling Centre, which hosts world-class cycling events and is the training base for British Cycling.
    Cycling is a popular aerobic exercise that involves riding a bicycle to improve cardiovascular health, build endurance, and strengthen lower body muscles. It can be done both outdoors and indoors on stationary bikes. Cycling is enjoyed by people of all ages and fitness levels.
    • Cardiovascular Benefits: It helps improve heart health and increase lung capacity.
    • Muscle Strengthening: It targets the muscles in the legs, thighs, hips, and buttocks.
    • Low-Impact Exercise: Cycling is gentle on the joints and reduces the risk of injury.
    • Calorie Burn: It is an effective way to burn calories and lose weight.
    • Improved Coordination: Cycling requires balance and coordination, enhancing motor skills.

Missing your favorite sport?

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Ranking factors for popular sport

  1. Participation
    The number of people participating in the sport in Manchester, including children, adults, amateurs, and professionals.
  2. Spectatorship
    The number of people attending sports events in Manchester, including both local and international competitions.
  3. Television Viewership
    The number of people who watch the sport on television or online in Manchester.
  4. Infrastructure
    The availability and quality of sports facilities, equipment, and training centers for the sport in Manchester.
  5. Historic and Cultural Significance
    The history and cultural relevance of the sport in Manchester, as well as its legacy and impact on the city's identity.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular sport in Manchester. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1896 views
  • 158 votes
  • 10 ranked items

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Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Game once every 24 hours. The rank of each Game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular sport in manchester

Manchester is a city with a rich sporting heritage, boasting some of the world's most successful and iconic sports teams. From football to cricket, athletics to boxing, Manchester has it all. In fact, sport is so important to the city that it has been named the "Sporting Capital of the UK". With this in mind, it's no surprise that there is a fierce rivalry between the city's two main football teams, Manchester United and Manchester City. But which sport is really the most popular in Manchester? To find out, we conducted a StrawPoll survey of local residents and sports fans. The results may surprise you!

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