You won’t find Messi or Ronaldo on the soccer team Boomers love the most

24/7 insights

• The most popular soccer teams with baby boomers are two national teams.
• The following most popular teams often play in the English Premier League.
• Football (soccer) continues to be the most popular sport in the world.

Being the most popular sport globally, many passionate soccer fans, including baby boomers, are out there. For those born between 1946 and 1964, soccer has long been the most popular sport, with an estimated 3.5 billion fans worldwide. Believed to be played in 200 countries, soccer is currently the most popular sport in 93 of these countries with an estimated population of 2 billion.

With so many soccer fans out in the wild, there is bound to be a passion around which teams are the most popular. If you’ve ever attended a football game, it’s an experience unlike any other because the fans take it more seriously than any other sporting event. Fortunately, using data from YouGov, we can look at the most popular soccer teams by baby boomers, in descending order.

Why is this important?

Soccer, or football, depending on where you live, has some of the most passionate fans in the world.

With FIFA, international soccer’s governing body, expected to generate $1.17 billion in revenue in 2023, it’s easy to see why the sport is attracting attention. In addition, Europe’s five biggest leagues are set to exceed $20 billion in revenue in 2023. Thanks to the many brand sponsorships we regularly cover on this site, soccer is one of the most notable sports to cover.

15. Arsenal FC

Arsenal FC’s baby boomer fans are used to seeing their team perform well.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 10%

Based in North London, Arsenal FC is the English Premier League football club. Winners of 13 league titles, including one unbeaten season, the team is currently ranked as the third most successful club in English football history. The team was relegated only once, but that didn’t deter the baby-boomer fan base.

14. Manchester City FC

Manchester City is one of the most popular football teams in England.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 11%

A favorite in the Premier League in England, Manchester City FC is one of the most successful and popular football clubs in the world. Fresh from a Premier League win in 2023-24, the team are rising to the top and looking to add another trophy next season. Since 1894, Man City has been a fixture in the world of football, undoubtedly attracting the baby boomer generation.

13. New York Red Bulls

The New York Red Bulls are one of three regional soccer clubs.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 12%

Founded in 1994, the New York Red Bulls were an inaugural team in MLS and played at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey. With a long-standing rivalry against New York City FC, the Red Bulls have only reached the MLS Finals once, but the team’s prominence in a major market has helped establish it as a baby boomer favorite.

12. Liverpool FC

Liverpool FC know what it takes to deliver for their fan base.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 12%

Another very popular English football club, Liverpool FC, competes in the Premier League, England’s top professional league. Founded in 1892, ‘The Reds’, as they are commonly known, are one of the most decorated teams in English football history. The team’s rivalry with Manchester United created a large baby-boomer fan base on both sides.

11. DC United

DC United has been a staple of Major League Soccer since the late 1990s.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 12%

An inaugural franchise for Major League Soccer, DC United has been playing in the league since 1996. Although the team’s success came largely in the 1990s, it has been a steady presence in the league for 30 years, which has helped the team to- and develop. Baby boomer fanbase, even if it doesn’t look like an MLS Cup is happening anytime soon.

10. AT Galaxy

The LA Galaxy helped pave the way for MLS to sign big international names.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 13%

One of the most famous teams in Major League Soccer, the team made headlines in 2007 when they signed David Beckham from Real Madrid. This not only raised the team’s fan base from all generations, but popularized Major League Soccer to a great extent. The team has worked to bring in other international stars over the years, much to the delight of its fans, such as Ashley Cole, Zlatan and Luis Hernandez.

9. Portland Timbers

Portlanders are passionate about their local soccer club.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 14%

Founded in 1975, the Portland Timbers compete in Major League Soccer, and baby boomers love to watch their rivalry with the Seattle Sounders. The team’s success has not been easy of late, as they finished 18th last season, although they won the MLS Cup in 2020. Win or lose, the baby boomer fans of the team come to every game.

8. Brazil national football team

Neymar has led the Brazil national football team in the past.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 17%

The most successful national team in World Cup history, the Brazil national football team has won five times since 1958. Currently ranked fifth in the world, Brazil won the 2016 Summer Olympics, becoming the only country to won every major football tournament at least once. . The team’s rivalry with Argentina is legendary, something baby boomers have been cheering for decades.

7. Chicago Fire

The Chicago Fire is named after the city’s greatest tragedy.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 18%

America’s most popular Major League Soccer team with baby boomers, the Chicago Fire FC, is aptly named after the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Beginning play in 1998, Chicago’s baby boomers quickly flocked to the team, which won the U.S. Open Cup three. times since 2000. The team’s fortunes have dipped of late, but that hasn’t deterred the team’s boomer-heavy fan base.

6. Real Madrid

Football superstar Ronaldo once led Real Madrid to several trophies.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 19%

Real Madrid is the most popular football club in the world on social media and the most valuable club in the world. In 2024, it became the first football club to exceed $1 billion in revenue, much of which would have come from its baby boomer fan base, who never miss a game no matter who is playing.

5. FC Barcelona

Messi was the biggest name and best player of FC Barcelona.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 19%

The fourth richest football club in the world is worth $5.51 billion and there is every reason to understand the team’s popularity for a team founded 124 years ago. Finishing second in La Liga in the 2023-2024 season, FC Barcelona has one of the largest support bases in the world, including millions of baby boomers who have supported the team throughout their lives.

4. Italy’s national football team

Italy heartbreakingly lost the 1994 World Cup.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 20%

One of the most successful national football teams in the world, the Italy national football team is currently ranked 10th. Four-time World Cup winners, the team has appeared in the tournament 18 times since 1934, which explains why it has won a loyal following of baby boomers.

3. Manchester United FC

Manchester United have had some of the biggest names in the game on their roster.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 22%

Commonly referred to as Man United, Manchester United FC is one of the most popular teams in England and around the world. One of the top teams in the ultra-competitive Premier League, Manchester United is constantly fighting to be the best team in England and Europe. Baby boomers have cheered for this 146-year-old team for decades, and they’re never going to stop.

2. United States men’s national soccer team

Christian Pulisic is the captain of the US men’s national soccer team.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 35%

While the USA men’s team has not enjoyed the same success as the women’s team, the USA men’s national soccer team remains very popular. Currently ranked 16th in the world, there is high hope for the men’s team going forward as the sport continues to grow in popularity in the US as baby boomers pass on their love of the sport and this team to younger generations.

1. The United States women’s national soccer team

The US women’s soccer team is once again on top of the world.

• Percentage of Baby Boomers with a favorable opinion: 36%

Hot on the heels of the team’s gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the United States women’s national soccer team has returned to the No. 1 ranking globally. As such, it should come as no surprise why this team is so popular with baby boomers. It has a long history of success in the sport, including a number one ranking from March 2008 to November 2014, the longest in the history of women’s football.

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