Football is an all-American pastime, obviously. While the NFL certainly enjoys a strong fan base and unquestionably larger national audience, college ball is actually more successful in terms of the sheer number of followers. Is it just down to the number of teams in Division 1 vs NFL?
Strong Historic Roots
College football was introduced to the public as far back as 1869. This makes it far older than professional football (the first official NFL game was played in 1920). College football has become deeply ingrained into American culture for 50 years prior to the game becoming professional in its earliest iteration. This also led to a highly dedicated fan base able to trace its roots back for generations.
A Tech-Savvy Fan Base
The digital age has likewise led to a veritable explosion in the popularity of college football. This is at least partially the result of an audience much more familiar with the latest virtual applications. Streaming feeds, in-depth online analyses, and countless social media groups dedicated to college programs attract a massive, loyal following. Of course the same can be said for the NFL.
Furthermore, the online casino industry has been keen to capitalise on the possibilities. As the younger generation has become immersed within the world of iGaming, many casinos now double as sportsbooks; enabling members to access the latest wagering options with the click of a button. There is little doubt that the growth of the Internet has a direct correlation to the ubiquitous nature of college football.
TV Ratings
One needs only look at the television ratings of the College Football Playoffs to see that it is increasing in popularity. Per ESPN PR, the Rose Bowl garnered 23.9 million viewers, making it the highest-viewed college football game in the 12-team playoff format.
What’s more, the 2025-26 College Football Playoffs quarterfinals averaged 19.3 million viewers per game, which was 14% more viewers than tuned in last year.
By contrast, the NFL Playoff matchup between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans was the highest-viewed event in ESPN’s decades-long history, pulling in 38 million viewers. Additionally, the divisional round matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears drew 45.4 million viewers, making it the highest-viewed divisional round game ever.
Clearly, the NFL is much bigger in terms of national audience, but regionally is a different case.
A Sense of Community
Another important point to mention is how one becomes a fan of a particular team in the first place. Many college fans are associated with their alma matter. Others see college as more regional with it relatively likely that a Division 1 school is nearby.
Most NFL fans will have chosen their team based on geography. And that is sometimes the difference-maker — when one lives in an area without access to a nearby NFL team, there is more likely to be a regional college football within distance.
The Timing of the Games
An additional variable that is not widely known involves when competitions are played. In many cases, college football games occur on Saturday afternoons. This offers a convenient time slot for those who might otherwise lead extremely busy lives (particularly students). On the contrary, professional NFL football games are often scheduled on Sundays or else in the most prime time slots on Monday and Thursday.
The Role of the Underdog
We need to remember that college football will often represent a springboard for up-and-coming players eventually destined for the NFL. Fans simply love an underdog story, and the gritty nature of semi-amateur gameplay likewise makes for an incredibly dynamic experience.
We can now begin to appreciate why college football is sometimes considered to be as American as “apple pie”. Although the NFL is certainly a force unto itself, college ball enjoys a special place in the hearts of countless fans.
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