US Soccer Fandom Jumps 10 Points After World Cup, Passes NHL

The share of Americans who identify as soccer fans increased by 10 percentage points after the 2022 World Cup, passing the National Hockey League (NHL) in fan interest according to a Morning Consult poll conducted for Bloomberg. The poll surveyed approximately 2,000 US adults in May and September, revealing a jump from 36% to 46% of respondents who identified as soccer fans.

This rise is not limited to a specific age group but is particularly driven by Gen Z, with a 16-point increase. The surge is attributed to the unprecedented scale of broadcast and social media attention during the World Cup, which is expected to have long-term benefits for Major League Soccer (MLS). MLS has already seen an increase in ticket sales, viewership, and social media followers since the tournament.

The league and its teams are optimistic that this temporary spike could mark an inflection point, potentially leading to sustained growth in the sport's popularity in the United States.