Most Popular Winter Sports Among Bettors In 2023

Winter is the best time for plenty of outdoor activities and snow-related sports. Surprisingly, some of the most popular winter sports have as many followers as games like football or basketball. Take a look at people’s favorites and use the last chance to bet on the biggest winter competitions in 2023!

Top 5 Most Popular Winter Sports in 2023

Besides the common activities we’re going to list, there are many alternative winter sports you can follow on TV, streaming platforms, and live sportsbooks. However, none of these have entered our top 5 of the most beloved sports competitions in wintertime. We have made our list based on how many people watch this or that sport in different countries. Also, some upcoming or ongoing events are listed along with ice hockey, figure skating, skiing, biathlon, and curling in our guide.

Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is the number one winter sport in most European countries and North America. It is the most popular pick at online sportsbooks in Canada, meaning that the majority of bettors from this country choose ice hockey as their favorite sport in wintertime. Besides Canada, ice hockey has the biggest fan clubs in Russia, Finland, Sweden, and the US.

With numerous leagues, there’s always something to watch in ice hockey. The National Hockey League is the most popular sports league in North America that includes 32 teams from the US and Canada. KHL dominates in Russia, Belarus, and some Asian countries. Finnish Liiga is also watched by many ice hockey fans. All these leagues are in their full flow, so you can bet and watch them right now.

Figure Skating

One of the most watched winter sports is undoubtedly figure skating. Thanks to its immense popularity at the Olympics, other figure skating competitions are regularly watched in a number of countries. Russia, the United States, Japan, and China are considered the biggest fans of FS. Also, these four countries are the most successful in this winter sport.

Figure skating gets the most attention at every Winter Olympic Games, but this isn’t it. There are plenty of local and international competitions to follow throughout the year. Check our 2023 FS betting guide to learn about all events that are worth figure skating fans’ attention.

Skiing

All types of skiing are extremely popular among fans of winter sports. Alpine skiing, ski jumping, and other similar disciplines are in high demand in the US, Canada, and Europe.

People from some Asian countries also follow and bet on these and look-alike winter activities on a permanent basis. This year, bettors can follow several skiing competitions. First of all, there’s the 2023 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup. This top-tier international circuit of alpine skiing competitions will last until March, so there’s plenty of time to start watching. Besides that, the Alpine World Ski Championships are coming in February 2023. 

Biathlon

Biathlon is one of the most popular winter sports in Europe. It is also the number one competition in Scandinavian countries. In general, biathlon annually becomes the most-watched winter activity in Norway, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. Americans still consider biathlon as an exotic sport, but its competitions are often featured at the biggest online betting sites in Canada.

This winter, the biggest biathlon competition is coming. The 2023 Biathlon World Championships will start in February, so get ready to follow one of the most popular winter sports on TV. In addition, the 2022–23 Biathlon World Cup is in its full flow, so you can bet on it at Vave Sportsbook.

Curling 

Curling is our last choice on the list of the most popular winter sports in 2023. This indoor activity belongs to the most-watched sports in such countries as Canada, France, Norway, and Japan. Furthermore, Russia, Scotland, and the US are pretty interested in curling during the wintertime.

Regarding competitions, the European Curling Championships are coming in 2023. It starts on April 29 and ends on May 6, so there’s plenty of time to become a curling fan. Also, there are many local events taking place in countries that are fans of curling, so you can take a look at them while waiting for the Senior & Junior Championships.

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