Is F1 more popular than the NFL?
While Formula One has always been incredibly popular worldwide, there’s no denying that the NFL has historically been miles ahead with regard to revenue and general viewership. It is by far the wealthiest professional sports league globally, also boasting the highest average crowd attendance. Nevertheless, Formula One is currently experiencing a dramatic increase in viewership, largely down to things like Netflix’s Drive to Survive series.
Showcasing the behind-the-scenes action of this iconic motorsport has been integral in attracting new audiences, especially in the US, where it traditionally lagged behind NASCAR. Sports fanatics are also increasingly turning to Formula One when placing bets, which is a solid indicator of a sport’s increasing popularity. Make sure you check out the Fox Bet sign-up bonus if you’re thinking of doing the same.
The $500 risk-free bet is a great way to explore interesting prop bets on Formula One and the NFL, alongside more conventional moneyline and parlay wagers. But before you do so, let’s answer the question – is Formula One more popular than the NFL?
NFL market statistics
The first thing to consider here is the NFL’s market statistics. People are often blown away by the amount of revenue the world’s most lucrative sports league is responsible for. Looking at the total revenue of all NFL teams over the last two decades paints a pretty impressive picture. In 2001, it was $4.28bn, whereas the most recent 2021-2022 season will hit just under $20bn.
Of course, league revenue isn’t the only factor when deciding whether the NFL is still more popular than Formula One. Last year, average attendance across the league was 571,659, which is a truly outrageous number. In contrast, the average attendance at 2021 Formula One races was around 160,000. But this isn’t the most fair comparison, as Formula One spectator stands are much smaller than those of the NFL.
The evolution of Formula One in recent years
The fact people are even asking whether Formula One is more popular than the NFL nowadays is testimony to its success over recent years. Numerous rule changes and technological breakthroughs have been designed to make the racing more exciting for the average viewer. Moreover, technological developments have improved motorsports coverage in various ways. As a result, TV viewers can feel even closer to the action than those in the stands.
This is one of the main reasons Formula One’s popularity has ballooned recently, but arguably the largest is Netflix’s groundbreaking Formula 1: Drive to Survive series. Described as the “first [series] to truly immerse the audience inside the cockpits, the paddock and the lives of the key players in Formula 1″, it has quickly gained a cult reputation among Formula One fans, new and old. Without it, the newfound emergence of Formula One as a rival to the NFL would never have happened.
Who are the drivers making Formula One tick?
Another thing that has played into the Formula One’s favor in recent years is the current crop of ludicrously exciting drivers. Michael Schumacher was the poster boy for the championship back in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but there was a lull between him and the all-conquering Lewis Hamilton. Additionally, there weren’t many challengers at the height of Hamilton’s imperious dominance, but then along came Sebastien Vettel, and more recently, Max Verstappen.
With ferocious competitiveness now a mainstay, there’s no wonder more and more people are turning to Formula One for their sporting fix. Just consider the crazy scenes from the 2021 season’s finale, where Verstappen won the title by overtaking on the final lap. You don’t get that in the NFL, do you?
Our verdict
Despite all the excitement generated by Formula One over the last few years, whether or not it is more popular than the NFL is still difficult to answer. Sure, documentaries such as Netflix’s Drive to Survive and the ridiculous climax of the 2021 season have definitely pushed millions of new viewers in its direction. However, is that enough to supplant the NFL as the world’s most popular professional sports championship?
In all honesty, we’re not so sure. Formula One’s total revenue last year was $2.14bn, less than half the NFL’s back in 2000. There is unquestionably work to do before Formula One hits the heights of the NFL, although with an 87% revenue climb last year, the sky’s the limit for the world’s premier motor racing championship.
