Asia enjoys a variety of different sports. Cricket, football, and basketball can be considered among some of those that are the most popular. Table tennis, athletics, and swimming are also enjoyed widely, as we've seen at the Olympics, where Asian nations often take-home medals.
Some sports like baseball, hockey and tennis have also been popular in some parts of the region. However, there are many sports that have proven to be very big in the country that aren't quite as well-known or big in other continents across the world.
Asia's huge esports scene
One sporting discipline that has become extremely big across Asia in the last decade or so is esports. According to estimates, the market is the biggest in the world, with it predicted to grow at a rate of 5.88% between 2024 and 2029. It is already thought to be making $1,197 million in revenue as of 2024, but this figure is only expected to increase in the years to come.
China and South Korea are among the leading nations across Asia where esports have boomed. There have been several tournaments hosted within these countries based on the games that are played, as well as various venues. It's no surprise, as those who bet with William Hill on esports will have perhaps noticed that many of the world's leading athletes and teams come from these two nations.
Southeast Asia is a growing market within this niche, with the likes of Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam all starting to boast top esports players. As they continue to grow, this is likely to make esports even bigger across the region.
Kho Kho and Kabaddi
Two of the biggest games from India, kho kho and kabaddi, are extremely niche, but attract players in their numbers from the country. This perhaps isn't a surprise given that more than one billion people are from the nation.
Both are formed based on a tag concept. They are played outside and have similarities that make them popular. However, there are differences that are big enough to make them interesting to different people. Scoring is different within each game, and there are slightly different rules that have an impact on the gameplay of each one.
Each game has started to obtain exposure beyond the Indian borders, but they still aren't quite as mainstream as cricket or football, which are also widely enjoyed by the population.
Sepak takraw
Played largely across Southeast Asia, Sepak takraw is a popular game that is still relatively niche for most other nations worldwide.
The game involves kicking a ball over a net into the opponent's court by working as a team. It can also be known as kick volleyball and is very fast paced. Each team consists of three players, with two substitutes available.
Sepak takraw is played on a court that is similar in size to a badminton court, using a ball and a net that is located at a height of 1.5 meters. The aim is to kick the ball over the net without letting it drop onto the ground. The team that fails to do so loses the point. A game will be played over two sets, each worth 21 points.