Sport in Australia

Summary

In Australia, sport is an important part of the country's culture and dates back to the early colonial period. The first of the country's mainstream sports to become established in order of their organisation were cricket, football, rugby union, tennis, soccer, basketball, netball and rugby league. According to Ausplay, in 2024 the most practiced physical activities for Australians were walking including bushwalking, fitness, running, cycling, pilates and yoga each practised by more than a million adults. The most played team sports in order of participation are soccer, basketball, football, cricket, netball and touch rugby league each played by as many as half a million adults. Soccer and basketball, in particular have more than a million adult players are also the most popular team activities for children. Running, tennis and golf are the most popular individual sports among Australians with more than a million participants. Running and walking in particular have grown rapidly in popularity with the community organisation parkrun registering more than 1 million Australian participants since 2011.