The 7 Most Popular Sports in Texas
The Top 7 Most Popular Sports in Texas: Some of These Might Surprise You!
Texas is passionate about sports - but what are the most popular sports in Texas?
Read on to find out - including all the latest stats and facts about viewership, fans and big moments in Texas sporting history!
Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Texas
As the second most populated state in the US, Texas is home to many professional franchises in major sports leagues. American football reigns supreme, with Texans following high school, college and professional teams with intense dedication.
You'll often find community events and conversations revolving around the latest games. Texas is home to big college football programmes and two famous NFL teams: the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.
Texans take pride in the rich legacy of their sports institutions and the intrinsic part they play in the cultural fabric.
Whether in packed stadiums or watching from home, Texans bond over the trials and triumphs of their favourite teams. With its major cities and countless towns, every corner of the state seems to bleed for a team.
It is this unrelenting passion that elevated Texas to the pinnacle of sports - and revenue from watching sports live in Texas is predicted to reach around $4.403 billion by 2024.
But what are the most popular sports in Texas? Read on for all the latest facts and figures about the favourite sports in the Lone Star State.
1. American Football
High school, college and professional teams are successful in Texas
211 current NFL players came from Texas schools
Earl Campbell and Raymond Clayborn are among famous Texan NFL players
Texans love American football due to a rich tradition of success at high school, collegiate and professional levels. The state's diehard fans idolise their teams and closely follow them each season.
Around 10.6 million viewers tuned in to witness the fierce college football battle between the Texas Longhorns and the mighty Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2022 season. This historic matchup took place at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
Texas is also home to Kyle Field, one of the biggest college football stadiums.
A 2022 article shows that 211 current NFL players came from Texas schools. According to WFAA, Texas produces 300 players every year, allowing them to compete in NFL leagues and championships.
On the other hand, California raises 288, Florida 271 and Georgia 213 NFL players every year. This makes Texas the number one state to produce NFL players in the US.
American Football is the most popular sport in the USA and Texas is no exception!
Some of the most famous American football players from Texas include:
| Player | Achievements |
|---|---|
| Earl Campbell | NFL legend |
| Raymond Claybom | Three-time Pro Bowl selection |
| Bobby Dillon | Four-time first-team All-Pro selection |
| Diron Talbert | One-time Pro Bowl selection |
| Steve McMichael | Member of Bears' Super Bowl XX-winning team, two-time Pro Bowl selection |
Read our NFL blog for more
2. Soccer
Texas has approximately 246,863 young soccer players
Lee Nguyen is a successful Texan soccer player
FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo FC are Major League Soccer teams in Texas
The world’s most popular sport enjoys growing popularity in Texas. Many children and young adults frequently play or watch the sport. Leagues form across cities to bring teams and fans together on weekends.
College programmes field competitive men's and women's teams.
While still not as mainstream as American football, more Texans every year join in the fun of soccer games vibrant with action, competition and community.
Texas has approximately 246,863 young soccer players. The Lone Star State has many clubs with youth participation and young individuals between 12 and 19 actively participate in this sport.
Over 34 categorised subgroups of soccer clubs play in the state. These clubs cover various divisions, such as professional, collegiate, amateur and defunct organisations.
Texas is home to two professional franchises competing in Major League Soccer: FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo FC.
These teams show the growing interest and support for soccer at the elite level within the Lone Star state.
Some of the most famous soccer players from Texas include:
Lee Nguyen - National Soccer High School Player of the Year in 2005. He played for PSV and Randers in Europe, made 191 appearances with the New England Revolution and 9 USMNT appearances
Monica Gonzalez - Founding Mexican women's national team member. She appeared at the 1999 World Cup, played soccer at Plano East and Notre Dame and made 83 appearances for Mexico, scoring 10 goals
Neil Cohen - First American to appear at all three levels for the USMNT: youth, Olympic and senior national team
Jose Francisco Torres - Played for Pachuca in Liga MX. She won three league titles and a CONCACAF Champions League title and made 26 appearances for the USMNT
Omar Gonzalez - Won three MLS Cups with LA Galaxy, made over 50 appearances for the USMNT
Stuart Holden - Played for Houston Dynamo and Bolton Wanderers, and made 25 appearances for the USMNT
Jeff Agoos - Won five MLS Cups with D.C. United and San Jose Earthquakes. He made 134 appearances for the USMNT
Kyle Rote Jr. - First American soccer player to achieve national fame. He won the Soccer Bowl '77 with the New York Cosmos
Read more on our football blog
3. Basketball
The Univesity of Texas first started playing in basketball competitions in 1900
There are three NBA franchises in Texas: Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets
Jimmy Butler is a famous Texan basketball player
Basketball is very popular across Texas. The sport is beloved by many communities, from big cities to small towns.
High school gyms are filled to watch games and college teams like the University of Texas also attract huge fanbases to arenas.
The University of Texas participated in its earliest basketball competitions in 1900, before the men's varsity team was established in 1906 under Coach Magnus Mainland.
While limited intercollegiate games were held between 1903 and 1921, the university started to grow the sport on campus.
Eunice Aden served as captain in 1903 before assuming coaching responsibilities in 1905.
She later became the Director of Physical Education in 1911, further advancing women's athletics.
The 1966 national championship victory by Texas Western University, now known as the University of Texas at El Paso, profoundly impacted college sports.
By starting five African-American players in the televised title game, the programme helped accelerate integration and increase opportunities for minority athletes at the highest levels of competition.
The NBA consists of three franchises based in Texas: the Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.
Outside of professional and varsity competitions, basketball development organisations like Mark Cuban Heroes Basketball and Be Elite Basketball provide important resources and opportunities for amateur athletes of all ages to enhance their skills.
Some famous basketball players from Texas include:
| Player | Birthplace | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Butler | Houston, Texas | Small forward for the Miami Heat |
| Chris Bosh | Dallas, Texas | Power forward for Toronto Raptors and Miami Heat |
| Trae Young | Lubbock, Texas | Point guard for the Atlanta Hawks |
| Grant Hill | Dallas, Texas | Small forward for Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, and Detroit Pistons |
| LaMarcus Aldridge | Dallas, Texas | Power forward for Brooklyn Nets |
4. Baseball
There are 78 professional baseball teams and clubs in Texas
The Houston Astros have won 2 World Series Titles
The Texas Rangers is one of the most famous baseball teams in the state
Norm Cash and Ernie Banks are big baseball players from Texas
The origins of baseball in Texas can be traced to 1861 with the formation of the Houston Base Ball Club during the American Civil War.
One of the earliest documented baseball games in the state occurred on April 21, 1868. Texas had 100 minor league baseball clubs, more than any other state.
Starting in the late 19th century, the Texas League played an important role in promoting professional baseball across the region.
The minor league helped popularise the sport on a professional level in Texas through competitions between clubs representing various cities.
Texas has 78 professional baseball teams and clubs, including famous ones like the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, El Paso Chihuahuas and Round Rock Express.
In addition, the MLB team, the Texas Rangers are one of the most famous baseball teams in the state, with a home attendance of over 2,045,948 in 2023.
Their state rivals, the Houston Astros, are one of the most successful MLB teams in recent times, winning the World Series in 2017 and 2022.
This means an average of 30,999 people watch their favourite team's baseball games.
Texas League teams use 10 baseball stadiums, including Hodgetown, Nelson W. Wolff Municipal Stadium, Riders Field, Momentum Bank Ballpark and Whataburger Field.
Globe Life Field, Arlington, is the biggest stadium in Texas for spectators to watch baseball games - home to the Texas Rangers. This stadium has a whopping capacity of 40,300.
Some of the all-time favourite players from Texas include:
| Player | Major Achievement |
|---|---|
| Norm Cash | Won the AL batting title with a .361 average in 1961 |
| Ernie Banks | Won back-to-back NL MVPs in 1958-59 |
| Clayton Kershaw | Won three Cy Young Awards |
Love baseball? Check out our MLB blog
5. Rodeo
Rodeo is an important part of Texan culture with reminders of the Old West
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the biggest events in Texas
In 2022, 2,417,248 people attended the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Rodeo is deeply ingrained in Texan culture. Cowboys showcase daring skills, gripping the rearing animals with one hand while waving their hats with the other.
Over centuries, wild cattle drives shaped the character of rugged Texans and rodeo events like bull riding and steer wrestling entertain crowds with memories of the Old West.
Even today, rodeo finales attract thousands to stadiums, honouring the cowboy spirit that helped settle an untamed land and build a state with pride.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the biggest annual events in Texas. Held in Houston each year, the rodeo attracts thousands of visitors who come to experience the various activities.
In 2022 alone, 2,417,248 people attended the event. The main attraction is the rodeo competition, where expert cowboys showcase their skills in bull riding and other Western events.
In the past year, 1,301,529 spectators paid to watch rodeo performances and concerts.
No trip to the rodeo is complete without enjoying the buzzing carnival atmosphere. The midway offers an exciting selection of rides for all ages and people in Texas enjoyed 2.9 million rides at the carnival during 2022's Houston Livestock Show.
Some of the best rodeos in Texas include:
| Rodeo | Location | Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo | Fort Worth, Texas | Oldest continuously running livestock show and rodeo in Texas |
| Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo | Houston, Texas | Largest livestock show and rodeo in the world |
| San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo | San Antonio, Texas | Affiliated with the world's oldest and largest rodeo-sanctioning body, the PRCA |
| Rodeo Austin | Austin, Texas | Grown from a stock show featuring 16 animals into one of Austin's premier events |
6. Tennis
In the 1890s, tennis became popular in Texas - particularly in Dallas
The Texas State Lawn Association administers the sport across the state
Wilmer Allison is a famous Texan tennis player
Tennis in the 1880s was a social activity enjoyed by the affluent classes in Texas - and this sport is still one of the most popular sports in the world today.
During leisurely matches, players used basic wooden racquets and white balls on grass courts. Most men dressed casually in loose-fitting pants and socks for their games.
Dallas particularly embraced tennis in the 1890s as its population swelled. Grass courts were constructed in City Park, sparking the origin of the Surprise Tennis Club.
A prominent local player named J.B. Adoue emerged as a leading figure. He went on to establish the prestigious Dallas Lawn Tennis Club in 1908.
As the popularity of tennis grew, clubs began to form where players could associate and compete. In 1995, the Texas State Lawn Association was created to administer the sport across the state.
Some of the most famous tennis players from Texas include:
| Player | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Wilmer Allison | American amateur tennis champion of the 1930s |
| Bruce Barnes | Won the singles title at the Cincinnati Masters in 1947 |
| Margaret Varner Moss | Won the women's doubles title at the U.S. National Championships in 1941 |
| Patrick Briaud | All-American in doubles in 2006 |
| Noel Brown | All-American in singles in 1980 |
Tennis is beloved in Texas due to the state’s hot and sunny weather. The warm climate lets players enjoy outdoor matches year-round.
Texas communities eagerly host public courts welcoming players of all skill levels to compete.
Suburban neighbourhoods proudly cheer for their high school tennis teams battling in regional playoffs come springtime. The laidback atmosphere at local clubs sees casual players mixing with intense competitors.
With immaculate private facilities and bustling public parks providing countless opportunities to swing, it is little wonder tennis remains so popular in Texas.
Love tennis? Check out our tennis blog for more!
7. Volleyball
The University of Texas plays an important role in volleyball history
Destinee Hooker is a famous volleyball player from Texas
Austin Sports Center (South Complex) is a popular place to play volleyball
Volleyball is a popular sport in the state of Texas. Schools take pride in their volleyball programmes, and the competitive league contains many winning teams.
The Lone Star State has occupied the number one position regarding women's participation in volleyball at the high school level.
The University of Texas volleyball team achieved victory in 1981 by winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division | Women's Volleyball Championship.
Texas continuously succeeds in developing elite volleyball players who reach the most prestigious levels, such as the Olympics.
The University of Texas holds a prime reputation for collegiate female athletes pursuing bachelor's degrees while competing in the sport.
There are numerous outdoor volleyball facilities available throughout the state of Texas. The Austin Sports Center (South Complex) offers multiple regulation-sized volleyball courts suitable for recreational play, leagues or tournaments.
Another popular location is the Mainland Sports Complex in San Antonio. In addition to indoor courts, Mainland Sports Complex features beach volleyball courts, allowing beach volleyball players to enjoy the sport in a more casual outdoor setting.
Some of the state's most recognisable organisations include the Third Coast Volleyball Club and Texas Tornados, both pillars of the community.
The University of Texas stands out with its nationally-ranked athletics volleyball team, demonstrating an enduring commitment to excellence both on and off the court.
Some of the most famous volleyball players from Texas include:
| Player | Position | Years | Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Destine | Outside hitter | 2006-2009 | Led Longhorns to the 2009 National Championship |
| Dernetria | Outside hitter | 1995-1998 | AVCA National Freshman of the Year |
| Haley | Outside hitter | 2011-2014 | Led Texas to the 2012 National Championship |
| Chiaka Ogbogu | Middle blocker | 2013-2017 | Texas all-time blocks leader |
What Are the Most Popular Sports in Texas?
Texas takes immense pride in its thriving sports culture. Communities across the vast state come together through their shared love of high school, collegiate and professional teams.
Whether in packed arenas or around television screens, the thrill of competition unites Texans in their spirit of friendly rivalry.
Future generations will surely continue to establish new legacies as sports remain an important part of Texan culture.
Do you follow any Texas sports or teams? Tell us in the comments!
