Sport in Mexico

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The most popular sport in Mexico currently is association football (soccer) followed by boxing.^[1][2] Historically, soccer has been the dominant sport in Mexico shaping the national sports scene. The Mexican Primera División (Liga MX) is one of the top soccer leagues globally. Baseball also holds a notable place in Mexican sports culture, particularly in the northwest and southeast regions of the country, particularly in states such as Sonora and Sinaloa, and in the southeast, notably in Yucatán and Quintana Roo. The Mexican League (Liga Mexicana de Béisbol) serves as a major league in this sport, with a strong regional following. The country has produced many renowned Boxers, and major fights generate considerable interest and viewership.

In recent decades, basketball, American football, and bull riding have also gained traction in Mexico. Basketball and American football have seen growing followings, while Rodeo, particularly the traditional Mexican form known as Charrería, holds cultural significance and is recognized as the national sport of Mexico.^[3] Basketball has seen growing popularity in urban centers and northern regions, cities such as Monterrey and Guadalajara. American football tends to have a more localized following, particularly in the northern states such as Nuevo León and Tamaulipas, where the sport is popular among college teams. Bull riding, or jaripeo, is most prevalent in the central and southern regions of Mexico. States such as Jalisco and Michoacán, known for their deep agricultural traditions and rural communities, often host local rodeos and bull riding events

The country's prominence in global soccer is underscored by its hosting of the FIFA World Cup in 1970 and 1986, with Mexico set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the United States and Canada.^[4] While college sports in Mexico do not enjoy the same level of commercialization there is growing interest in university-level competitions. Internationally, Mexico has achieved notable success in various sports at the Olympic Games, including boxing, diving, and athletics. The country also excels in taekwondo, with Mexican athletes performing well in international competitions. As the markets for youth and junior players expand, the extreme racquet sport of racquetball is seeing steady growth and development. Meanwhile, in the southern part of Mexico City, the amateur practice of Paleta frontón and Basque pelota holds significant cultural importance and has enhanced the international reputation of Mexican sports.