Is AFL popular around the world?

Answer 1

Although it is an Australian-based game, it is the most popular sport also in the small island country of Nauru.

Some other countries in America and Africa and Japan have some small local leagues, but it is nowhere near as popular as Rugby or soccer or tennis in these countries. lol. The first match of the AFL Pre season competition The Nab Cup was held over in Dubai in Africa. AFL officials and others are trying to expand the game more. So who knows how popular it'll be in another 5-10 years.

In 2010 there are 14 countries listed on the official AFL website that run national annual AFL competitions. Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, Denmark, Japan, Germany, USA are amongst these. Annual international competitions including the 'International Cup' regualarly invite over 20 teams.

The Asian Championships (held in Bangkok 2008, Singapore 2009, Shanghai in 2010) invite the champion teams from across Asia to compete. Participating countries in 2010 include (forgive me for missing anyone..) China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Bali, Vietnam (Swans), UAE, Cambodia (Kangaroos), Thailand (Tigers), Singapore (Wombats), Japan (Samurai) and Lao P.D.R. ([Mighty] Elephants).

While AFL remains a developing sport, many of these clubs train regularly and are increasingly seeing a balance of Australian expats and native players.

Answer 2

Taking into account the viewing figures for the AFL Grand Final (the biggest match of the year) then the average viewing for the 2010 Grand Final (not replay) across Australia was 3.720 million people (peaking at 4.811 million).

Source: http://www.mediaspy.org/report/2010/09/26/ratings-3-7-million-viewers-for-afl-grand-final

Outside of Australia there are no reliable ratings figures but one can assume they would be very minimal. The game is virtually unknown outside Australia.

Comparatively, the 2010 soccer World Cup Final (between Spain and Netherlands) drew a global audience estimated at 700 million people. In the USA the average viewing figure for the game was 24.3 million viewers.

Source: http://news.oneindia.in/2010/07/13/fifa-world-cup-2010-finals-spain-holland-tv-audien.html

The 2011 Superbowl in the USA rated an estimated 111 million viewers which make it the largest single rating TV show in US history. It is still, however a long way behind Soccer.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110207/ap_on_sp_ot/super_bowl_ratings

Answer 3

Yes, it is worldwide just not herd of because it is called Australian Football League. It is played world wide just not recognised as such a big sport because it is not as interesting to watch.

Answer 4

afl is only australian,afl it stands for Australian Football League

Answer 5

Yes, if it's in a city that has a AFL team.

Answer 6

It is popular in the US and to some extent Canada and is gaining popularity in Europe, but it isn't too popular in the rest of the world.

Answer 7

In Australia lot's of people from Victroica, SA and WA are strong in AFL, NRL are strong in Sydney and Queensland.

Answer 8

Farting