With the FIFA Club World Cup already underway and the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially on, soccer fever is sweeping across the United States. Now, a new study has revealed that California is home to some of the country’s most passionate—and competitive—soccer fans.
According to research from ACE.com, California ranks second among all U.S. states for sports competitiveness, finishing just behind South Carolina.
California’s soccer fans are among the nation’s most competitive
The study surveyed more than 1,400 Americans to measure how seriously people take competition while watching sports, how much they value winning, and how competitive they become when cheering for their favorite teams.
California earned an overall Sport Competitiveness Score of 8.05, ranking No. 2 nationwide.
Here’s how Californians responded:
- 57% say they’re very competitive when watching sports.
- 58% take friendly competition very seriously.
- 45% agree that “winning is everything.”
Only South Carolina scored higher overall, while Texas rounded out the top three.
Soccer fans top every other sport
The report also found that Major League Soccer fans are America’s most competitive sports fans. An impressive 96% of MLS supporters say they become competitive when their favorite team is playing – the highest percentage of any major sport.
The top five most competitive fan bases include:
- MLS (Soccer) — 96%
- College Sports (NCAA) — 95%
- Fighting / Boxing — 94%
- Golf — 93%
- NBA Basketball — 93%
NFL, NHL, MLB, racing, and tennis all ranked behind soccer.
Soccer’s popularity is booming across the U.S.
The findings come as soccer reaches record popularity in America. This season, MLS viewership has surged by 62%, while more than 4.8 million fans have already attended league matches.
Interest in the upcoming FIFA World Cup has also nearly doubled compared to the lead-up to Qatar 2022, highlighting just how quickly the sport continues to grow.
Researchers say nearly nine in ten Americans become competitive while watching their favorite team, but soccer supporters stand out as the most emotionally invested fans of them all.
Why California stands out
California has long been one of the country’s biggest soccer markets. It’s home to multiple MLS clubs, passionate supporter groups, and diverse communities where the sport has deep cultural roots.
With Los Angeles playing a major role during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and later host events during the 2028 Olympic Games, local excitement is only expected to grow.
If this new study is any indication, California’s soccer fans are more than ready for the world’s biggest sporting events. And they’ll be cheering with some of the fiercest competitive spirit in the nation.
