The first part of the YouGov Sports Study examines the nation’s sporting habits and current trends. While there is strong interest in sport among the British public, there is a significant difference in the levels of interest among men and women.
Sport is a big thing in the UK – 82% think being an athlete is a respectable career, while half of Britons report that they are very or somewhat interested in sports (53%). On the opposite end are a quarter (24%) who are not interested in all.
A closer look, however, reveals a large gender split on the issue: British men appear to be significantly more passionate than women about sport. Over a third (35%) of men describe themselves as "very interested" in sports, in contrast to just 9% of women. This gender gap is consistent across all age groups, though it’s most pronounced among the youngest generation. Among those aged 16-24, 44% of young men say they are "very interested" in sports, compared to only 10% of young women who feel the same.
The study also explored how often Britons watch sports. A third (35%) watch sports at least once a week, twice as many who say they never watch sports (17%).
The results show that sports media consumption is heavily skewed towards younger and male audiences. Three in ten men (30%) watch sports every day or several days a week, compared to just 7% of women. One in eight men (12%) and one in five women (21%) say they never watch sports.
Younger men, particularly those aged 16-24, stand out as the most avid viewers, with 12% saying they watch sports every day and another 28% watching sports several days a week.
Despite women not being the biggest fans of regularly watching sports on television, a majority have watched it in person. Six in ten women (60%) and seven in ten men (72%) say they have been to a sports event. Two-thirds of all Britons (66%) have attended a sports event, while a further 10% haven’t but would like to.
However, a quarter of Britons (23%) have not attended a sports event and wouldn’t want to, with this being the case for 18% of men and 28% of women. Among the oldest population – those over 60 – 22% of men and 41% of women have never attended a sports event.
Participation in sports reveals different levels of engagement among Britons. Nearly a quarter (23%) report taking part in sporting activity at least once in the past month. A third (35%) used to play sport but no longer do, and three in ten (29%) say they have never played any sports (including 37% of women).
As with interest and viewership, participation is higher among younger people and men. Among men aged 16-24, about half (48%) report playing a sport at least once a week, making them the most active group by far. In contrast, participation rates per week drop sharply among women: 22% of women aged 16-24 play sport weekly, as do 7-9% of women in their 40s and older.
Among those who do participate in sport, football is the top choice – 28% of those who say they take part in sport say they have played football in the last month, including 40% of male and 10% of female sports players.
This is followed by recreational swimming (20%) and cycling (14%), as well as tennis and badminton on 12% each. One in ten sports players say they have swung a golf club in the last month (10%), while 7% say the same of a cricket bat.
See the full results here:
Which sports should/not be in the Olympics (during Paris 2024)
Which sports should/not be in the Olympics (post Paris 2024)
Photo: Getty
