What Is the Most Popular Game in Australia? (By Participation, Spectatorship, and Video Games)

There is no single answer — "popularity" depends entirely on the metric:

By Participation (AusPlay 2023–24 Data)

1. Swimming (3.2M+)
2. Walking (Recreational) (9M+)
3. Fitness/Gym (7M+)
4. Australian Rules Football (AFL) (1.5M+ players) — #1 Team Sport
5. Football (Soccer) (1.1M+)
6. Cricket (1M+)
7. Netball (900k+)
8. Basketball (800k+)
9. Rugby League (500k+)
10. Tennis (500k+)

By Spectatorship / Revenue / Cultural Impact

• AFL (Grand Final: 3–4M viewers) — Dominant winter code (VIC, SA, WA, TAS).
• NRL / State of Origin (2–3M viewers) — Dominant in NSW, QLD.
• Cricket (Boxing Day Test, BBL) — Summer national obsession.
• Melbourne Cup (Horse Racing) — "Race that stops the nation."

Video Games (IGEA / Sales Data)

• Top Selling (Physical+Digital, 2023): EA Sports FC 24, Hogwarts Legacy, Call of Duty: MW3, Marvel's Spider-Man 2, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Minecraft, GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2, Elden Ring.
• Most Played (Concurrent/MAU): Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, Call of Duty: Warzone, Apex Legends, League of Legends, CS2, Rocket League.
• Esports: Rocket League, League of Legends, CS2, Valorant, Fighting Games (Tekken/SF6).

Casual / Mobile

• Candy Crush Saga, Roblox, Coin Master, Royal Match, Monopoly GO! — Top grossing/DAU.

Summary: For sport: AFL (participation + culture). For video game sales: EA FC / CoD / Hogwarts Legacy. For concurrent players: Fortnite / Roblox / Minecraft.