There are so many sports in the world that divide opinion over how good they are to watch.

While every major sport has a huge fanbase, there are still numerous age-old debates like 'is cricket tedious or captivating?' and 'does darts class as a real sport?'

In perhaps a bold move, I've collated a list of the world's most popular sports into a Tiermaker and decided to rank them based on what I enjoy watching the most.

This is a completely subjective list, based purely on my feelings towards each sport. Some you'll agree with, some you absolutely won't — and that's perfectly okay. Debate is what makes sport so brilliant.

That being said, each ranking will have an explanation, and hopefully you will appreciate, even slightly, where I'm coming from with it all.

So here it is — a list containing 25 of the world's most loved sports, ranked from 'unrivalled' to 'what's going on?'

What's going on?

American Football, Baseball

I do feel pretty guilty for putting these two in the very bottom bracket. The NFL and MLB look like so much fun to watch, especially in person, I've just never really sat down to take them both in. So on this basis alone, I don't feel I can rank them any higher than, well, the very bottom.

Maybe I'll put it on my New Year's resolution list to pay more attention and we can revisit this discussion in 12 months. 

ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 14: In this handout photo provided by Disneyland Resort, (L-R) MVP Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald and Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams celebrate their Super Bowl win in a parade down Disneyland's Main Street U.S.A. on February 14, 2022 at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort via Getty Images)

Would watch if nothing else was on

Rugby Union, Rugby League, Golf, Cricket, Snooker, Cycling

Probably some harsh calls in here but I can explain. And my explanation is none of these sports don’t quite capture my interest in the same way as the others.

As far as rugby union and league goes, I cannot fault the atmosphere. I got caught up in some Wales celebrations once and I had no idea what was going on but it was great. 

I do see the appeal, I really do — but I guess rugby in general just hasn't ever been top of my priority list to watch. Should I make it a priority?

WHANGAREI, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 09: Wales celebrate victory during the Pool A Rugby World Cup 2021 New Zealand match match between Wales and Scotland at Northland Events Centre on October 09, 2022, in Whangarei, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Cricket is a real tough one for me. I’m very aware of how prestigious and adored it is, but I've never been able to get the bug for it and I feel this is the same for a lot of people.

There's the classic divide between diehard fans who won't hear a bad word said about cricket, and the others who find it rather tiresome. I think even cricket itself knows it can be tedious, hence the introduction of other formats within the sport to make it a bit more lively. 

I don't know. I wish cricket well, it's just not the one for me.

HOBART, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Australia celebrate after winning the Fifth Test in the Ashes series between Australia and England at Blundstone Arena on January 16, 2022 in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Golf and snooker come under similar reasoning. Not a bad watch per se — as it's certainly interesting to watch the skills required to make such tricky shots — but probably a little too slow for my liking. 

Cycling is another tough one. Lots of skill required and some of the greatest athletes ever have come from this sport, and it can definitely get interesting in both the indoor and outdoor events. I'm just not swept away by it. That's all there is to it.

As the category suggests, I would switch on these sports if they were the only thing on the telly, but I don't think I'd actively seek any of them out on purpose.

Guilty pleasure

WWE, Badminton

Say what you like about WWE, but away from the sometimes cheesy promo segments, these wrestlers are incredible athletes and constantly need to be at the top of their game to perform every week.

I also personally love the storylines, they can be anything from gripping to hilarious, you just never know what you're going to get. Keeps you on your toes.

Badminton doesn't seem to get the attention it deserves, like it's stuck in the shadow of its tennis cousin, yet it's just as competitive and also super fun to play.

Underrated

MMA, Athletics, Netball, Darts, Swimming, Gymnastics, Weightlifting

I feel as though MMA really doesn't get the recognition it deserves most of the time. These fighters are fantastic and should have more attention. It's also BRUTAL.

The same goes for athletics, swimming, gymnastics and weightlifting — typically associated with the Olympics but there's a whole world beyond that stage. Take some time to watch more of these sports. 

Netball produced one of my favourite ever sporting moments — when England won the 2018 Commonwealth Games. I still can't watch it back without crying. 

Also, have you ever played netball? It's hard work. 

Video: England make history by beating Australia to win the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal

Darts... I mean just look at the crowd scenes during the live events. The atmosphere always pops off no matter who wins or loses, and it looks like it's compulsory to arrive in some form of fancy dress. Sensational stuff.

Great entertainment

Basketball, Snowboarding, Skateboarding, Ice Hockey

Basketball is so exciting and the sport has birthed some of the best athletes on the planet. The games are always packed full of action and I find myself feeling so motivated and pumped full of life afterwards. 

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 18: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers speaks to Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during their game at Chase Center on October 18, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Snowboarding and skateboarding both mesmerise me. The tricks, the speed, the agility to pull it all off is very admirable. 

Ice hockey is essentially boxing on ice. Literally anything can happen and when a brawl breaks out, it's quite beautiful. Oh, and it takes a lot of talent to skate around with a stick and be accurate in what you're doing. Hats off to them.

Elite

Boxing, Formula 1, Tennis

Boxing is golden entertainment. The power of these incredible athletes teamed up with dramatic twists and turns and genuine heated rivalries is real blockbuster viewing.

Formula 1 may have been a two-horse race for the past six years, but that doesn't take away from the thrill of a Grand Prix. The roar of the engines, the too-close-for-comfort overtaking that makes you hold your breath and the general unpredictable nature of motorsport... 

It's just marvellous, and a lot of the drivers use their platforms to promote equality and speak out on serious global issues too. 

SUZUKA, JAPAN - OCTOBER 09: Race winner and 2022 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates with his team after the F1 Grand Prix of Japan at Suzuka International Racing Course on October 09, 2022 in Suzuka, Japan. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

Tennis isn't everyone's cup of tea but it's definitely a sport I find myself glued to whenever it's on. The pace of the game and the standard of the most elite players make it one of the most competitive sports out there.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Iga Swiatek of Poland celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating Ons Jabeur of Tunisia during their Women’s Singles Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Unrivalled

Football

Don't get me wrong, football isn't always good at times. Every football fan has gone through some awful downfall or been witness to utter calamity on the pitch, but that's what makes it so unrivalled.

DORTMUND, GERMANY - OCTOBER 08: Supporters of Dortmund celebrate during the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern München at Signal Iduna Park on October 08, 2022 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

The hurt and the pain really does break your heart, but the dizzying highs remind you why you love it, every time. The bouncing stadiums, the pints flying everywhere in the pub, hugging people you've never met before, those moments are worth everything else.