Rugby union global fan base grows by 24% since 2013
World Rugby study reveals increase in followers and participation
A study published by rugby union’s governing body World Rugby has revealed that the sport’s global fan base has increased by 24% in the past five years.
Research conducted across 88 markets by Nielsen Sports shows “significant increases in rugby interest driven by emerging markets” after rugby sevens was included at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
According to the study the sport has 793m fans globally, the biggest growth markets include India, China, the USA and Brazil and 36% of global fans are women or girls.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The study paints a positive picture for the sport says World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont. While World Rugby CEO Brett Gosper adds: “This research, which demonstrates significant fan-growth, reflects a sport that is effective in attracting a new, younger audience in non-traditional rugby nations, despite huge competition for eyeballs and attention.
“The research also demonstrates that rugby has significant growth potential in both traditional and non-traditional markets and is increasingly attracting a younger audience. We will use the insight to guide our decision-making and approach to growing fans and participants in rugby globally.”
This year’s Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco attracted 100,000 spectators while next year’s Rugby World Cup will be held in Japan - a nation with 14 million fans.
In numbers: the growth of rugby union
- 24%: global fan base increase since 2013
- 9.1m: men, women and children who regularly play
- 793m: people following rugby globally
- 338m: people who consider themselves fans
- 50%: rise since 2013 in the fan base in the emerging markets - Brazil, China, India, Mexico and USA
- 112.5m: fan base in Asia
- 52.8m: fan base in North America
- 38.2m: fan base in South America
- 32.7m: fan base in Africa
- 33m: fans in China and the USA
- 25m: fans in India
- 20m: fans in France
- 14m: fans in Japan, host nation of the 2019 Rugby World Cup
- 100,000: attendance at the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 in San Francisco
- 36: average age of a rugby fan
- 36%: of fans globally are women or girls
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Mason Greenwood: footballer arrested on suspicion of rape and assault
Speed Read Man Utd confirm the striker will not train or play until further notice
By The Week Staff Published
-
Handball: swapping bikini bottoms for tight pants
Speed Read Women competitors will be required to ‘wear short tight pants with a close fit’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second coming
Speed Read Last week, Manchester United re-signed the forward on a two-year deal thought to be worth more than £400,000 a week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Bank holidays and boycotts: are MPs trying to jinx England?
Speed Read Declaring a bank holiday would be ‘tempting fate’, says Boris Johnson
By The Week Staff Published
-
Weightlifting: Olympic Games set for transgender first
Speed Read New Zealand weightlifter Laurel Hubbard will make history at Tokyo 2020
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sport shorts: Champions League expansion plan to be agreed
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Joachim Low and the Lions women’s team
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Sturgeon slams Rangers fans over title celebrations
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Keely Hodgkinson and Bryson DeChambeau
By Mike Starling Published
-
Sport shorts: Klopp’s unwanted record as Liverpool lose again at Anfield
Speed Read News and reactions from the world of sport, featuring Tiger Woods and Tom Brady
By Mike Starling Published