With college football wrapping up week 2 and the NFL putting the bow on its Week 1, it begs the question: Do Americans prefer professional sports or college sports? A recent CivicScience study of over 4,400 U.S. adults finds that professional sports hold a clear edge in American fandom, with 60% favoring pro leagues compared to 40% who prefer college athletics. This gap underscores how the skill level and star power of professional athletes often outweigh the tradition and passion associated with the college game, even as NIL changes the college sports landscape.

Age plays the most decisive role in shaping preferences. Young adults (18–29) overwhelmingly favor professional sports (83%), a trend that remains strong among those 30–44 (68%). Beyond that, college athletics gain traction: 42% of adults 45–64 and 43% of those 65+ lean toward the collegiate level. Younger viewers appear drawn to the elite talent and visibility of pro leagues, while older Americans are more inclined toward the pageantry and amateur spirit of college sports.

Gender differences are less pronounced, though men show a slightly higher preference for college sports (35%) than women (27%). Regionally, the South stands as the heart of college sports culture with a 39% preference, followed by the West (36%). The Northeast (28%) and Midwest (29%) lag behind in collegiate loyalty.

Sports preferences also mirror broader media habits. College sports fans are heavier streamers—66% have three or more video subscriptions compared to 50% of pro sports fans—yet they’re also more prone to subscription fatigue (34% vs. 23%). Professional sports fans, by contrast, spend far more time on reality TV, with nearly a quarter (23%) watching five or more hours per week, double that of college fans (11%).

Ultimately, the divide between professional and college sports reflects more than just a choice of games—it signals distinct values around competition, tradition, and media consumption. While professional sports dominate overall, college athletics sustain a loyal, digitally engaged audience that prizes authenticity over spectacle.