About 12% of Americans say they actively keep up with soccer, based on a 2026 YouGov average. A broader estimate puts about 27% of the U.S. population as soccer fans, but that usually means general fandom rather than closely following the sport.

What that means

  • Keep up with soccer closely: about 12%.
  • Identify as soccer fans: about 27%.
  • Among younger adults, interest is higher: YouGov reports 23% of ages 18–34 actively following soccer.

Simple read

If you mean “people who regularly watch, follow, or talk about soccer,” the safest current estimate is roughly 1 in 8 Americans. If you mean broader fan identity, the number is closer to 1 in 4.

Quick note

Different surveys use different definitions, so the percentage changes depending on whether they ask about avid watching , interest , or fan identity.

TL;DR: roughly 12% closely keep up with soccer , while about 27% say they’re soccer fans.