Football Australia's biggest club-based sport

2 min read 28 April 2017

Football is Australia’s largest club-based participation sport by a wide margin with over 400,000 more participants than AFL, more than twice as many as cricket and four times as many as rugby league.

An update of the Australian Sports Commission’s official AusPlay survey, the largest survey of its type ever undertaken in Australia, shows that 1,104,815 men, women, boys and girls are participating in football.

“Football is the world game, but it is also the most popular participation sport for Australians,” said Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop.

“Wherever you are around this country, whatever your age, background or ability, there is a place for you in football.

“For parents of young children looking for a safe, accessible and inclusive sport, football is the answer – and these figures show just how many people are making that choice.

“We are already seeing significant growth again this year, particularly among girls and women.”

To find out how you can get involved in football, go to www.myfootballclub.com.au

AusPlay Results

AusPlay results from January 2016 to December 2016 found that for sport played in sport clubs, football is the top sport among adults and children combined.

Club sport (Adults and Children combined) Top activities	Population estimate	Per cent of population	Per cent of club sport population
Football	1,104,815	4.5%	18.6%
Golf	724,141	3.0%	12.2%
Australian Football	665,470	2.7%	11.2%
Netball	640,607	2.6%	10.8%
Tennis	568,248	2.3%	9.6%
Cricket	543,695	2.2%	9.2%
Basketball	539,998	2.2%	9.1%
Touch football	278,502	1.1%	4.7%
Swimming	256,111	1.0%	4.3%
Athletics, track and field (includes running/jogging)	251,393	1.0%	4.2%
Rugby league	236,593	1.0%	4.0%