This comprehensive guide explores the 15 most popular sports in the world, examining their global appeal, rich histories, and the reasons millions—sometimes billions—of fans follow them devotedly.

There’s something magical about the California sun. It’s where dreams are born in backyards and blacktops, in Little Leagues and Pop Warner fields. It’s where legends lace up—then light up—prime time.

The NFL is the top sport, but ... One set of data that took an analytical dive into things like ticket-selling websites and search traffic has highlighted the most popular sport in each state. The ...