New Zealand

Will New Zealand be able to mesmerise its Per Capita Cup competitors in the last part of the 2019 sporting year? Photo: Reuters/

New Zealand gains 5 places as race for sportiest nation title heats up

After the first 7 months of the year, the table in the Per Capita Cup, GSN’s ranking of the world’s sportiest nations (see below* for more details on how the ranking...

Best Sports

2020

Top Positions Points % Chg
1 Track Cycling 43 51.8
2 Cricket 21 25.3
3 Snowboarding 8 9.6
4 Alpine Skiing 8 9.6
5 Freestyle Skiing 2 2.4
6 Speedskating 1 1.2 -5

2019

More
Top Positions Points % Chg
1 Rugby Union 338 37.5
2 Cricket 112 12.4 4
3 Netball 80 8.9
4 Track Cycling 68 7.6 -1
5 Rowing 66 7.3 -1
6 Athletics 54 6.0
7 Canoe/Kayak Sprint 50 5.6 -5
8 Softball 30 3.3
9 Trampoline 26 2.9
10 Swimming 18 2.0

2018

More
Top Positions Points % Chg
1 Rugby Union 216 40.3 1
2 Canoe/Kayak Sprint 84 15.7 2
3 Track Cycling 56 10.4 2
4 Rowing 46 8.6 -3
5 Sailing 39 7.3
6 Cricket 21 3.9
7 Orienteering 16 3.0
8 Freestyle Skiing 11 2.1 7
9 Snowboarding 10 1.9 -2
10 Speedskating 10 1.9 3

2017

More
Top Positions Points % Chg
1 Rowing 272 28.4 8
2 Rugby Union 244 25.5 -1
3 Softball 80 8.4 10
4 Canoe/Kayak Sprint 68 7.1 6
5 Track Cycling 57 6.0 3
6 Cricket 32 3.3 -1
7 Snowboarding 29 3.0
8 Athletics 25 2.6 -1
9 Rugby League 25 2.6
10 Lacrosse 20 2.1

2016

More
Top Positions Points % Chg
1 Rugby Union 161 15.6
2 Hockey 126 12.2
3 Sailing 112 10.8
4 Football 100 9.7
5 Cricket 99 9.6 -3
6 Golf 92 8.8 6
7 Athletics 70 6.8 2
8 Track Cycling 63 6.1 -2
9 Rowing 60 5.8 -6
10 Canoe/Kayak Sprint 40 3.9 -2

New Zealand Positions

2020

Global Cup Positions
Category Position
Overall 18
Gender:Men 15
Gender:Women 22
Continent:Oceania 2
Per Capita Cup Positions
Category Position
Overall 6
Gender:Men 6
Gender:Women 7
Continent:Oceania 1

2019

Global Cup Positions
Category Position
Overall 24
Gender:Men 22
Gender:Women 26
Continent:Oceania 2
Per Capita Cup Positions
Category Position
Overall 3
Gender:Men 2
Gender:Women 8
Continent:Oceania 1

2018

Global Cup Positions
Category Position
Overall 29
Gender:Men 28
Gender:Women 27
Continent:Oceania 2
Per Capita Cup Positions
Category Position
Overall 6
Gender:Men 9
Gender:Women 5
Continent:Oceania 1

2017

Global Cup Positions
Category Position
Overall 20
Gender:Men 24
Gender:Women 17
Continent:Oceania 2
Per Capita Cup Positions
Category Position
Overall 3
Gender:Men 4
Gender:Women 1
Continent:Oceania 1

2016

Global Cup Positions
Category Position
Overall 18
Gender:Men 26
Gender:Women 17
Continent:Oceana 2
Per Capita Cup Positions
Category Position
Overall 1
Gender:Men 2
Gender:Women 1
Continent:Oceana 1
E. Murray and H. Bond win Rowing gold in the men's pair at Rio 2016

New Zealand sportiest nation on earth in 2016

New Zealand is the sportiest nation on the planet in 2016!

New Zealand were too strong for Australia in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final

New Zealand, Cuba win month of October

We love sporting countries that punch above their weight, and the monthly ranking for the Global Cup, the most accurate statistical measurement of how the...