When it comes to sport, Australia is a nation like no other. From kicking a footy in the park to watching major games at a packed stadium, sport is woven into the everyday lives of Aussies. But have you ever wondered which state is the sportiest? Which one has the most sports-mad residents, the highest participation, or even the most dedicated punters?
Here at Ladbrokes, we’ve crunched the numbers and dove into the data to figure it out. Using metrics like sport participation, local sports teams, and yes, even some betting data from our punters, we’ve ranked the states to see who comes out on top as the sportiest in the country.
- Victoria – The Home of Australian Sport
If you guessed Victoria would come out on top, congratulations—you’re right! It’s hard to argue with a state that not only has the highest number of professional sports teams across the country, but also boasts 3.4 million residents who are keen on sport. Whether it’s attending an AFL match at the MCG or watching tennis stars battle it out at the Australian Open, sport is an integral part of life in Victoria.
But it’s not just about watching. With 51% of Victorians participating in at least one hour of sport a week, it’s clear that people here are as active as they are passionate. From local footy leagues to cycling along the Yarra, Victorians are always on the move.
Victoria also has some of the biggest sports venues in the country, like AAMI Park and Marvel Stadium, which help solidify its reputation as the sporting capital of Australia. And when it comes to punting? The state is no slouch either. One of the largest betting payouts came from Victoria, with a lucky AFL fan pocketing a whopping $160,000 a Port Adelaide vs Carlton match.
A Spokesperson from Ladbrokes pointed out that “Victoria’s passion for AFL is unmatched, and that enthusiasm is clearly reflected not just in stadium attendance but in the number of bets placed on footy as well.”
- New South Wales: Rugby League Territory
Coming in at a close second is New South Wales (NSW). While Victoria might rule the AFL, NSW is all about Rugby League. Home to some of the NRL’s most iconic teams, including the Sydney Roosters and South Sydney Rabbitohs, it’s no surprise that 37% of sports bets in the state are placed on rugby league. But this doesn’t mean NSW fans are single-minded—soccer is also popular, with 22% of bets* going to the beautiful game, when these sports are in season.
With 4.4 million residents who consider themselves keen on sport, and 54% of the population participating in weekly physical activity, NSW doesn’t just talk the talk; it walks the walk. And when you think about Sydney’s sporting venues like Stadium Australia and Allianz Stadium, it’s easy to see why people in NSW are spoilt for choice when it comes to watching live sport.
In terms of punting, one of the more surprising figures comes from a punter who won $146,421 betting on a Premier League match between Brighton and Liverpool. While footy may dominate in terms of sheer numbers, NSW clearly has a soft spot for international soccer too.
A Ladbrokes expert noted: “NSW is really diverse when it comes to betting trends. Rugby League dominates, but punters also show huge interest in global sports like soccer, which adds another layer to the state’s sporting identity.”
- Queensland: Big Wins and Bigger Passion
Queensland rounds out the top three, and it’s easy to see why. Known for its laid-back lifestyle and sunny weather, Queenslanders are also some of the most dedicated sports fans in the country. 53% of the population participates in sport weekly, and rugby league is king here, with 4:% of sports bets going on the NRL. It’s safe to say that when the Queensland Maroons play the State of Origin, the whole state stops to watch.
But Queensland’s passion for sport isn’t just about the footy field. The state also had largest single betting win in the country, with one lucky punter scooping $272,000 on a cricket match between teams from Melbourne and Perth.
Queensland also tops the list for the ’number of sports bars’, with 146 venues dedicated to showing live sports. Whether you’re looking to catch a game with friends over a pint or find a quiet corner to cheer for your team, Queensland offers more opportunities to watch live sport in a social setting than anywhere else in the country.
A Ladbrokes spokesperson added: “Queensland punters are some of the most passionate we’ve seen. Their love for rugby league is undeniable, but we’ve seen a lot of interest in cricket and basketball as well. And when they win, they win big.”
Digging into the Data
While Victoria, NSW, and Queensland take the top spots in the rankings, there are plenty of other fascinating insights hidden in the data.
South Australia – Betting Smart
South Australia may not have as many professional sports teams or as large a population as the eastern states, but that doesn’t mean the locals aren’t passionate about their sport. In fact, South Australians are some of the most successful punters in the country, with 18.15% of bets returning a win—one of the highest percentages across all states.
Additionally, South Australia is a state where AFL reigns supreme with 36% of all sports bets going to Aussie Rules. But it’s not just about football. South Australians also show a healthy interest in soccer, with 23% of bets placed on the world game, showing that the state’s sporting interests are more diverse than you might think.
Western Australia: Big Payouts
When it comes to big wins, Western Australia (WA) stands out. A punter from Perth took home a massive .$243,000 after betting on an NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and Brisbane Broncos. WA may be geographically distant from the east coast sporting hubs, but its residents are just as committed to their sports teams and betting.
AFL dominates in WA, with 27% of bets placed on Aussie Rules. However, soccer is also incredibly popular, accounting for 26% of bets Perth’s Optus Stadium has become a key player in WA’s sports scene, hosting everything from cricket to concerts, and providing fans with a top-notch venue to enjoy their favourite games.
Wrapping It Up – a summary of Australia’s Sporting Culture
So, what have we learned from this deep dive into Australia’s sporting habits? For one, Victoria reigns as the sportiest state, thanks to its rich culture of participation, local sports teams, and its dominance in AFL. But New South Wales and Queensland aren’t far behind, with rugby league providing a backbone for their sporting passions and betting habits.
What’s perhaps most surprising is how states like South Australia and Western Australia have developed their own unique sporting identities, shaped by both local and international influences. From the high rate of winning bets in SA to the huge payouts in WA, sport truly is a national obsession—and one that cuts across borders and preferences.
Whether you’re an AFL fanatic in Melbourne, a rugby league die-hard in Sydney, or a punter hoping for a big win in Brisbane, one thing is clear: sport is at the heart of Australia’s identity. And no matter which state you call home, there’s plenty of sporting excitement to go around.
Methodology
To determine the sportiest state in Australia, we compiled and analyzed data from multiple reliable sources. Each data point was assigned a specific weight to reflect its impact on the overall ranking, prioritizing metrics such as sport participation and general enthusiasm for sport.
Data Sources
Sport Participation: This metric represents the percentage of the population in each state that participates in at least one hour of sport per week. Data was sourced from the gov.au participation report and was heavily weighted due to its direct reflection of active engagement with sports.
Total Keen on Sport: This figure represents the total number of people in each state who identify as being keen on sport. It captures broader interest, including spectatorship and social engagement, and was drawn from gov.au population reports.
Sports Teams by Population: We analyzed the number of professional or major sports teams in each state relative to the population, using data from austadiums.com. This metric reflects how well-represented each state is in various sporting codes.
Bars Showing Sport: The number of venues that regularly show live sport was sourced from gameonlivesports.com.au. This metric was included as an indicator of the state’s social engagement with sport.
Punter Data: Data provided by our internal teams at Ladbrokes included the percentage of winning bets and the largest individual payouts per state. Although betting engagement was given a lower weight than participation, it offers a deeper look into each state’s level of commitment to sports, particularly through the lens of spectatorship and punter behavior.
Weighting System
To create a balanced and fair ranking, we normalized each metric on a comparable scale and applied the following weights to the final calculation.
- Sport Participation: 25%
- Total Keen on Sport: 35%
- Sports Teams by Population: 10%
- Bars Showing Sport: 7%
- Bars per Sport Fan: 3%
- Sports Betting (% Winning Bets): 10%
- Largest Individual Betting Payouts: 10%
By weighting these factors, we prioritized active participation and widespread enthusiasm for sport while still accounting for the social and betting components that reflect deeper levels of engagement.