New Zealand, often regarded as one of the most picturesque nations, is also popular for its sporting culture. The sporting nature of the Kiwi nation is primarily a reflection of the British colonial heritage and popular sports of New Zealand include rugby, cricket, football, golf, hockey rowing, and a lot more. Apart from that, some winter sports including skiing and snowboarding also make it to the most-played sports in the Island country.
In this article, we will go through the list of sports that rule the popularity charts in New Zealand.
Rugby
Rugby is the national sport of New Zealand, and their national rugby team is called the Black Shave, who have won the Rugby World Cup thrice. According to the International Rugby Board, the All Blacks are ranked first in the world. They won their third World Cup in 2015, and thus, became the first ones to defend their title. Apart from their strong tackles, the All Blacks are quite popular for ‘Haka’ or a ‘Ma Ori Challenge’, which they generally perform at the start of international games.
Cricket
Cricket is regarded as New Zealand’s national sport in summer, and is highly enjoyed by players and fans throughout the nation. Cricket is played at several levels, ranging from school to professional leagues. New Zealand has its premier domestic tournament, which is known as Plunket Shield. The Blackcaps, New Zealand’s national cricket team has brought several accolades to the country in all three formats.
Netball
The sport that comes next in the popularity charts in New Zealand is netball. The sport has over 60 teams around the world, and like basketball, it is also played on a rectangle-shaped court, with a ring on each end. A netball match is generally one hour long, and the team that scores the most number of goals wins the game. While the sport has gained some popularity in the recent past, it is yet to level rugby and cricket in New Zealand.
Football / Soccer
Soccer or Football has gained constant popularity over the past few years in the country. Wynton Rufer is one of the most popular footballers in the country which has produced more than 50,000 footballers. The most popular soccer competition in the country is New Zealand Football Championship and it features top talent from several regions. Apart from that, English Premier League and UEFA Champions League enjoy huge popularity in the country
In New Zealand, the excitement of football, from the local New Zealand Football Championship to global tournaments, has naturally led to an increase in sports betting. Fans looking for betting options often turn to platforms like Kiwigambler , known for its comprehensive listing of casinos suitable for NZ players, enhancing their engagement with the sport.
Golf
Golf is another name in the list of most popular sports in New Zealand, and is highly enjoyed by the residents of the country. Professional golfers and local club members enjoy the sport amidst the picturesque landscapes and challenging courses. The country has two prestigious tournaments for golf, the New Zealand Open and the New Zealand Women’s Open, and the competitions draw a huge number of national and international participants. New Zealand has produced a legendary golf player, Sir Bob Charles, who won the 1963 British Open.
