Football is one of the most popular spectator and competitive sports in the world. In the United States, it is also the most watched game on television. The NFL championship game draws more than 130 million viewers annually. College football is also very popular and many stadiums are sold out every week. Football is a high-impact sport, and the players’ goal is to move the ball from one end of the field to the other team’s end.
The sport first gained popularity in Ireland during the 1870s. The popularity of football grew after the formation of Trinity College Dublin’s Rugby club. The rules of the game were adopted by students, who then started to form football clubs. In 1863, a meeting of the clubs produced printed football rules. In addition to the rules, football players were not allowed to carry the ball. In 1870, rugby became a part of the Football Association (FA).
Games involving the kicking of a ball have been played in different countries since prehistoric times. The English explorer John Davis, for example, played football with the Inuit in Greenland in 1586. The game is similar to the modern game of football, but has different rules for different regions. One version of the game involves two teams lined up in parallel lines and kicking a ball over the opponents’ line.
In many countries, there are national leagues and regional leagues. Each league usually has several divisions. Teams play each other at home and away throughout the season to accumulate points. The top teams are named champions and may be promoted to higher divisions. Teams finishing lower may be relegated. Some teams may also compete in international club competitions.