Football Australia's most played sport with 1.1m participants

An update of the Australian Sports Commission’s official AusPlay survey, the largest survey of its type ever undertaken in Australia, has shown that football is once again the most popular sport to play in the country.

The Socceroos celebrate their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over UAE Source: Getty Images

Football beat out the likes of golf, Australian rules, netball, tennis, cricket and other sports easily with a total of 1,104,814 participants.

It shows an increase in participants, up 17,828 from 1,086,986 at the end of 2016. 

Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop hailed the results. 

“Wherever you are around this country, whatever your age, background or ability, there is a place for you in football," Gallop said.

“For parents of young children looking for a safe, accessible and inclusive sport, football is the answer – and these figures show just how many people are making that choice.

“We are already seeing significant growth again this year, particularly among girls and women.”

The challenge for the FFA continues to be how to convert the immense amount of people who play football into regular attendees and viewers of the A-League.