Formula 1 is America’s fastest-growing sport, new data shows

Lucky Rebel’s analysis of 20 years of U.S. sports interest across all 50 states finds Formula 1 leading growth with a 258% rise, while basketball gains momentum and golf declines sharply. The findings point to a more fragmented American sports market as younger audiences spread attention across more leagues and events. Why it matters: - The U.S. sports market is becoming less concentrated, with fan interest spreading across more sports instead of staying locked on a few legacy leagues. - Formula 1’s surge and basketball’s steady growth suggest younger audiences are reshaping what draws attention in America. - Declining interest in golf and slower growth in football signal pressure on mature sports categories. What happened: - Lucky Rebel analyzed 20 years of data across all 50 U.S. states to identify the fastest-growing and fastest-declining sports in the country. - Formula 1 ranked as the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., with popularity up 258% over the past 20 years. - Basketball increased by nearly 130% over the same period. - American football remained the most popular sport overall, but growth slowed in many states. - Golf posted one of the steepest declines in the study. The details: - Formula 1 posted especially strong gains in Alaska (+600%), Maine (+400%) and Vermont (+400%). - Formula 1’s growth was linked to greater U.S. visibility, new races in Las Vegas and Miami, and appeal to younger fans through storytelling, personalities and digital content. - Basketball showed notable increases in Delaware (+228%), Alaska (+172%) and North Dakota (+109%). - Basketball’s broad growth was tied to accessibility, cultural relevance and the NBA’s global reach. - American football posted modest growth in Alabama (+3%), South Carolina (+4%) and Illinois (+7%). - Golf fell sharply in Georgia (-76%), Texas (-70%) and Alabama (-70%). - Baseball continues to face shifting audience preferences. - Boxing showed mixed results, with gains in some states offset by declines in others. - Ice hockey expanded into markets not traditionally associated with the sport. - Baseball, boxing and soccer are facing stronger competition as fan attention fragments. Between the lines: - The data suggests American sports fandom is becoming more regional and more segmented. - Formula 1’s rise shows that a sport can break out in the U.S. without long-standing historical roots if it finds the right media, event and audience mix. - The 2026 FIFA World Cup will raise soccer’s profile, but the report suggests visibility alone does not guarantee the kind of long-term growth Formula 1 and basketball have delivered. - Mature sports such as football and golf appear to be competing in a saturated attention economy rather than expanding into new audiences. What’s next: - Continued growth for Formula 1 and basketball will depend on whether their younger fan bases remain engaged over time. - Soccer’s profile is likely to rise further as North America prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. - The next phase of U.S. sports competition will likely center on how established leagues respond to audience fragmentation. The bottom line: - America’s sports hierarchy is not disappearing, but it is getting more crowded, and Formula 1 is now one of the clearest winners in the shift.