With modern life often being stressful and fast-paced, we need sports and activities now more than ever. They provide an opportunity to take a break from screens, connect with others, and healthily engage our minds.
As urbanization and busy lifestyles become the norm, indoor sports are experiencing a surge in popularity due to their all-weather accessibility, urban convenience, and diverse activity offerings.
Recognizing the rising popularity, we analyzed hundreds of indoor sports, applying a weighted scoring system based on Instagram hashtag counts and global monthly search volumes to find the 20 most popular indoor sports in 2024.
Our analysis ranked basketball in the top spot. It’s got a massive 1 million global monthly searches and an even bigger 45.25 million hashtag counts on Instagram, making it the clear winner in indoor sports.
In contrast, bowling ranks 7th overall but stands 2nd in global monthly search volumes with 942,000 searches per month.
Let’s jump into our complete list to see which activities are the most popular and discover the exciting world of indoor sports!
Key Findings
- Basketball earned a score of 90, securing the top position as the most celebrated indoor sport, with an impressive 1 million monthly searches and 45.25 million Instagram hashtag counts.
- Boxing takes the 2nd spot with a strong online presence, achieving 603,000 monthly searches and 38.21 million Instagram hashtag counts, resulting in a score of 85.
- Despite having relatively lower monthly searches at 187,000, Martial Arts scored 73, ranking 3rd, thanks to its high Instagram hashtag count of 15.59 million.
- Indoor Skydiving, although ranking last with a score of 44, still captures attention with 69,000 searches and 249,360 hashtag counts.
- Bowling ranks 7th overall but boasts the 2nd highest global monthly search volume at 942,000, underlining its significant popularity.
- Table Tennis, with a global monthly search of 408,000 and 12.2 million Instagram hashtag counts, surprisingly ranks 6th despite its considerable online presence.
Ranking: Top 20 Indoor Sports in 2024
20 Most Popular Indoor Sports in 2024
1. Basketball
Ranked 1st, basketball boasts 45.3 million Instagram hashtag counts and 1 million monthly global searches. A global favorite, it combines athleticism and teamwork in a high-energy game that captivates fans worldwide.
From the NBA to street courts, basketball's popularity spans diverse leagues and tournaments, drawing in players and spectators alike, with a score of 90.
2. Boxing
Coming in 2nd, with a score of 85, boxing has 38.2 million hashtag counts and 603k monthly global searches. Renowned for its intensity and the physical and mental discipline it demands, boxing has a rich history that resonates deeply on social platforms, highlighting the sport's enduring legacy and excitement.
Major events like the Olympics and professional bouts command attention, elevating boxing's global stature.
3. Martial Arts
From UFC fights to traditional competitions, martial arts events attract millions of viewers worldwide. Martial Arts, with a score of 73, ranked 3rd, with 15.6 million hashtag counts and 187k monthly global searches, stands out for its cultural significance and the diversity of styles it encompasses.
Despite lower search volumes, its high social media engagement underscores the global fascination with its discipline and the physical prowess it showcases.
4. Volleyball
Volleyball, at 4th place, earning a score of 71, gathers 13.16 million hashtag counts and 641,000 monthly global searches. It's celebrated for its teamwork and the fast-paced action it delivers, both on sand and indoor courts.
Its engaging, high-flying nature is a hit among followers, reflecting its broad appeal. Professional leagues like the FIVB World Tour and NCAA championships showcase top-tier talent, drawing in fans with thrilling matches and fierce rivalries.
5. Futsal
Major tournaments like the FIFA Futsal World Cup and UEFA Futsal Euro showcase elite talent and provide platforms for international competition, fueling the sport's popularity. Similarly, we ranked Futsal at 5th, with 10.83 million hashtag counts and 269,000 monthly global searches, resulting in a score of 69.
This 5-a-side version of football is lauded for its fast pace and emphasis on skill and creativity, thriving indoors. Its significant social media presence highlights its growing popularity and the intense, engaging gameplay it offers.
6. Table Tennis
At 6th, with 12.2 million hashtag counts and an impressive 408,000 monthly global searches, table tennis shows its global popularity. International competitions such as the ITTF World Championships and Olympic Games offer platforms for top players to showcase their skills and compete for glory.
Known for its quick reflexes and precision, the sport enjoys a passionate following, with its search volume reflecting a strong interest that belies its social media engagement, with a score of 67.
7. Bowling
Evidently, professional bowling tours and prestigious events like the PBA Tour Championships continue to appeal to enthusiasts of all ages, making it a popular leisure activity, giving it a score of 65.
Bowling, in 7th place, has 7.23 million hashtag counts and a notable 942,000 monthly global searches. Its high search volume yet lower hashtag count suggests a strong, dedicated interest beyond the social media sphere.
8. Badminton
Coming in at number 8, badminton has 4.8 million hashtag counts and attracts 839,000 global searches each month. Known for its speed and dynamism, this racket sport calls for quick reflexes, whether played casually in backyards or professionally on the courts.
Prestigious tournaments like the All England Open and BWF World Championships showcase the sport's elite talent and competitive spirit.
9. Handball
Handball, ranking 9th, has 4.01 million hashtag counts and 337,000 monthly global searches, resulting in a score of 60. Major leagues like the EHF Champions League and IHF World Men's Handball Championship draw large audiences and showcase the sport's excitement and skill.
This fast-paced, high-scoring game is popular in Europe and beyond, emphasizing speed, teamwork, and athleticism. Its engaging nature is mirrored in its substantial social media presence.
10. Ice Hockey
Professional leagues like the NHL and international tournaments like the IIHF World Championships showcase elite talent and intense competition, driving the sport's popularity. Scoring 58, Ice Hockey, at 10th, features 3.1 million hashtag counts and 44,000 monthly global searches.
A sport synonymous with speed, agility, and physical play, its niche appeal, especially in colder climates, contributes to its lower search volume but dedicated social media following.
11. Squash
Squash, ranking 11th, with a final score of 57, features 2.3 million hashtag counts and 495,000 monthly global searches, celebrated for its intensity and the stamina it demands.
While not as prominent on social media, its dedicated player base and the physical challenge it presents keep interest alive.
12. Jump Rope
Jump Rope, at 12th place, boasting a final score of 56, features 2.0 million hashtag counts and 82,000 monthly global searches.
This fitness-focused activity transcends its simple equipment to offer a competitive and engaging workout option. Its considerable search volume reflects its versatility and the growing interest in fitness and health-related activities.
13. Kabaddi
Kabaddi, ranking 13th with a final score of 56, captures 1.5 million hashtag counts and 655,000 monthly global searches.
This traditional sport, requiring no equipment, emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and physical strength, highlighting its cultural significance and the physical challenge it offers.
14. Darts
Darts, in 14th place, has 1.8 million hashtag counts and 409,000 monthly global searches. A game of skill and precision, darts enjoy popularity in pubs and competitive arenas alike.
Its social media presence highlights a sport that combines casual play with serious competition, resulting in a final score of 56.
15. Billiards
Billiards, at 15th, has 1.17 million hashtag counts and 134,182 monthly global searches, resulting in a score of 53.
A game of angles and strategy, billiards' appeal lies in its blend of skill, precision, and social interaction, reflected in its solid social media presence.
16. Netball
Scored 52, Netball, ranked 16th, features 958,761 hashtag counts and 87,861 monthly global searches.
Popular particularly among women, this team sport emphasizes speed, strategy, and teamwork, with its social media engagement underscoring its community and inclusivity.
17. Laser Tag
Laser Tag, at 17th, with 770,317 hashtag counts and 21,258 monthly global searches, combines physical activity with high-tech play, appealing to a wide age range.
With a score of 50, its immersive experience is captured in its social media engagement, reflecting its appeal as a fun, active game.
18. Floorball
Floorball received a score of 50, ranking 18th, and has 760,240 hashtag counts and 33,586 monthly global searches.
This indoor team sport is known for its fast pace and accessibility, growing in popularity as it promotes inclusivity and a healthy, active lifestyle.
19. Dodgeball
Dodgeball, ranked 19th, sees 509,000 hashtag counts and 14,100 monthly global searches, resulting in a score of 47, indicating its enduring popularity as a recreational sport.
Known for its fast-paced action and social camaraderie, dodgeball's appeal extends from schoolyards to organized leagues. Its significant social media presence reflects its status as a beloved pastime despite lower search volumes.
20. Indoor Skydiving
Indoor Skydiving, at 20th place with the lowest score of 44, features 247,901 hashtag counts and 1,458 monthly global searches. Offering the thrill of freefalling in a controlled environment, indoor skydiving is a unique adventure sport that attracts thrill-seekers worldwide.
While its search volume may be modest, its social media presence showcases the exhilarating experiences and the growing interest in alternative adrenaline-fueled activities.
Methodology
We employed a multifaceted approach to assess the popularity of indoor sports in 2024, combining Instagram data with global search volume data to provide a comprehensive ranking.
Instagram Data Collection:
- We gathered Instagram data by searching for posts related to indoor sports using relevant hashtag counts.
- The count of posts for each hashtag provided insight into the popularity of specific indoor sports on social media.
Global Search Volume Analysis:
- We accessed global monthly search volume data for indoor sports through a keyword research tool.
- Average global monthly search volumes were obtained to gauge the level of interest in each game worldwide.
Weighted Ranking Calculation:
- Using a weighted average approach, we combined Instagram hashtag counts (60%) and global search volume (40%) to rank indoor sports.
- The formula used was: (Instagram hashtag* 0.6) + (Global Search (Monthly)* 0.4).
Ranking Presentation:
- Results were ranked based on the calculated weighted averages, showcasing the popularity of indoor sports relative to each other.
- The final rankings were presented with corresponding Instagram post counts and global search volumes, providing insights into the popularity of each game.