article

Gen Z Males’ Top 15 Favorite Sports Leagues

Yes, Gen Z males are huge sports fans, and YPulse’s Brand Tracker shows the sport leagues they name as their favorites...

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

May 22 2025
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The NBA is Gen Z males’ top favorite sports league because of star players and a strong connection to fans who both watch and play basketball
Esports leagues rank high among their favorites—they’re an extension of young men’s gaming lifestyle and social connections
WWE is a Gen Z male favorite thanks to the brand’s dramatic flair, celebrity involvement, and viral moments

YPulse’s Sports and Athletes report shows most Gen Z males (74% of 13-17-year-old boys and 79% of 18-24-year-old males) consider themselves fans, with the majority (66% of teens and 74% of young adults) watching games weekly or more often. But being a fan today looks a little different than it did for past gens. Gen Z isn’t just loyal to traditional sports leagues and their local teams now, though—they’re drawn to the ones that reflect their values and lifestyle, and sometimes they’re drawn to their favorite athlete celebs, not just the teams themselves. Leagues have to do more than just...