David Lange
Research expert covering sports & recreation in the UK & Europe
Get in touch with us nowEngland: most popular sports in 2019, by monthly participants
Sports in the United Kingdom (UK) is governed by the association UK Sport, which funds and governs various other sport associations, one of which is Sport England, the sports governing body for England. Sport England conducts annual surveys on sports participation throughout England, gathering data on demographics, habits, preferences and more.
Running, fitness and gym are most popular
When it comes to regular participation, meaning at least twice in the past 28 days of questioning, running is the most popular form of taking part in a sports activity, with approximately 6.6 million people in England running regularly. Fitness is the second most common sport with 6.1 million regular participants, followed by going to the gym or swimming.
Children prefer to go swimming or play football
Taking a look at children and adolescents sport preferences, swimming is most popular among 5 to 10 year olds and football is ranked highest with 10 to 15 year olds.
The UK offers a variety of sporting opportunities
Other than football and swimming, the United Kingdom (UK) provides a variety clubs with membership opportunities for many different sports such as tennis, golf, riding as well as various winter and water sports.
Running, fitness and gym are most popular
When it comes to regular participation, meaning at least twice in the past 28 days of questioning, running is the most popular form of taking part in a sports activity, with approximately 6.6 million people in England running regularly. Fitness is the second most common sport with 6.1 million regular participants, followed by going to the gym or swimming.
Children prefer to go swimming or play football
Taking a look at children and adolescents sport preferences, swimming is most popular among 5 to 10 year olds and football is ranked highest with 10 to 15 year olds.
The UK offers a variety of sporting opportunities
Other than football and swimming, the United Kingdom (UK) provides a variety clubs with membership opportunities for many different sports such as tennis, golf, riding as well as various winter and water sports.
