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There has been no shortage of high-profile sporting events in February. Not only did the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots face off in the Super Bowl a little over a week ago, but the 2026 Winter Olympics have also captivated audiences across the world. The SSRS Sports Poll is one of the only data sources that captures interest in the Olympic Games compared to other professional and collegiate sports leagues among U.S. audiences 12+.
Over the past 30 years, Sports Poll has captured interest in different leagues among non-sports fans, light sports fans, average sports fans, and avid sports fans. The Olympics garner more interest than any other professional or collegiate sports league among non-sports fans and light sports fans, in both cases by a significant margin. Not only is this true today, but it has been true since Sports Poll began tracking interest in the Games more than 30 years ago.
The Olympic Games also play an important role in developing sports fandom. In 2021, the SSRS Opinion Panel found that 68% of Americans 12+ said the Olympics were an important factor to becoming a sports fan in the first place.
Data from SSRS’s Sports Poll and Opinion Panel can help you make informed and strategic decisions about how to engage with current and emerging sports fans. Find more Sports Poll insights about the Olympics here and contact our team to learn more about Sports Poll and the SSRS Opinion Panel.
