Most popular sports in Mexico

Mexico may not be as successful as other countries at sports; however, it does have some of the best sports fans in the world.

Without a doubt, football is the most popular sport in Mexico. It’s first division league, Liga MX, has 18 clubs and, according to Transfermarkt, their stadiums had an average attendance of almost 17,000 people last year and averaged 2,502,666 spectators overall. “Players like Memo Ochoa, Javier Hernandez, Santiago Gimenez cannot walk on the streets of Mexico without getting stop by fans asking for autographs or selfies”.  Players at this level attract an enormous quantity of commercial business opportunity for Mexican or American companies, that want to reach these dual markets.” said Dario Brignole CEO of Shine Entertainment Media.

Memo Ochoa, our client, is well known in Mexico and other countries around the world, He has also participated in several advertising campaigns and has been on the cover of sports magazines. Memo Ochoa is a very famous and recognized soccer player worldwide.

Another client, Javier Hernandez is a very famous and recognized soccer player around the world, especially in Mexico and other countries. His charisma and goal-scoring ability have made him a soccer idol for many soccer fans.

Football was a pastime sporting activity introduced by the English miners that arrived at the State of Hidalgo in the late 1900s, and it didn’t become a professional sport until 1943. Mexico has successfully hosted two FIFA World Cups: in 1970 and 1986, is in line to host a third one alongside USA and Canada in 2026.

Every four years, the country stops because of the World Cup and the eternal hope of seeing the Mexican National Team reach the fifth game (quarterfinals). Following every important victory, the Independence Angel Statue becomes the meeting place for thousands of fans looking to celebrate and sing “Cielito Lindo”.

Liga MX clubs’ attendance in 21/22

Next to football, the most popular sport in Mexico is baseball, with many Mexican baseball players, such as Fernando Valenzuela and Adrian González, having succeeded in the Major Leagues.

Baseball gained popularity in certain regions after it was brought by the American soldiers on Mexican soil during the Mexican American War. Nowadays, there are two baseball leagues in Mexico, a 16-team summer league, also known as the Mexican baseball league; and an 8-team winter league or Mexican Pacific League. Mexico also participates in the Caribbean Series alongside other countries in the region.

The third most popular sport in Mexico is boxing, with some of the best boxing champions coming from this country. Due to its prestige and ability to call, it is one of the disciplines that move many users in bookmakers.

Mexico has a long list of famous boxing champions that includes Julio César Chávez, Salvador Sánchez, Juan Manuel Márquez, and more recently Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez.

Earlier this year, Canelo’s fight with Gennady Golovkin was seen by 8.5 million people in Mexico, surpassing even the football classic between América and Chivas, which was seen by eight million people, according to Nielsen IBOPE.

The passion and fervor that the Mexican people has for sports is something truly unique, and it’s something that adds a special flavor to any competition in which Mexican athletes participate.

References:

Rotativo, D. (2022). Los 10 deportes más seguidos en México. Rotativo de Querétaro. Retrieved on October 26 2022 from: https://rotativo.com.mx/2022/06/09/deportes/los-10-deportes-mas-seguidos-en-mexico-965975/

Liga MX Clausura - Attendance figures. (2022). Transfermarkt. Retrieved on October 26 2022 from: https://www.transfermarkt.com/liga-mx-clausura/besucherzahlen/wettbewerb/MEX1/saison_id/2021

7 of the Most Popular Sports in Mexico. (2014). Sports Aspire. Retrieved on October 26 2022 from: https://sportsaspire.com/popular-sports-in-mexico

Torres, O. (2022). Canelo Álvarez noqueó al Clásico Nacional en rating. El Universal. Retrieved on October 26 2022 from: https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/universal-deportes/canelo-alvarez-noqueo-al-clasico-nacional-en-rating