From soccer to cricket to golf, sport plays a powerful role in shaping wellbeing, both on and off the field. Whether you’re cheering from the sidelines or are playing a game yourself, sport has the potential to bring people together, boost our mood and create a sense of belonging. To better understand this impact, we asked Australians how participating in or viewing sport positively affects their social, emotional and mental wellbeing. The responses offer valuable insight into how sport supports connection, reduces stress, and contributes to a healthier, more balanced life.
Over one in nine Aussies (93.4%) report at least one positive impact from either participating in or viewing sport. On average, respondents selected four ways in which sport improved their mental, emotional or social wellbeing.
The most commonly reported benefits of participating in sport include improved mood and happiness (49.3%), reduced stress and anxiety (45.8%), and strengthened friendships (33.7%). These findings highlight how sport contributes not only to physical and mental wellbeing, but also to stronger social connections.
Almost 90% of men (89.4%) watch and/or participate in sports, compared to just 76.6% of women. For men in particular, sport seems to provide an essential emotional outlet. Over half (50.9%) reported that it helped reduce stress and anxiety, while nearly as many (48.9%) said it improved their overall mood and happiness.
A third felt sport supported friendships (34.7%) and provided a sense of belonging (31.7%), which are extremely important factors when considering the ongoing concern around male social isolation. Additionally, more than one in five men linked sport to healthier lifestyle habits (23.1%), increased self-esteem (21.5%), a mental break from daily pressures (22.1%), and even as a constructive channel for competitiveness (20.8%).
Men were more likely than women to report stress relief from sport (50.9% vs. 40.2%), and significantly more said it gave them a healthy outlet for competitiveness (20.8% vs. 14.2%). However, women were slightly more likely to say sport improved their mood, helped combat loneliness, and gave them a greater sense of community.
It’s interesting that men who were not in a relationship were more likely to report that sport helped reduce stress and anxiety (+5.6%) and combat feelings of loneliness or isolation (+6.8%), while those with a partner were more likely to say it helped them build and maintain friendships (+5.1%) and foster a sense of identity and pride (+3.8%). For women, those not in a relationship reported higher benefits in managing anger or frustration (+5.3%) and feeling a sense of identity and pride (+5%) compared to their partnered counterparts.
Age also played a role in how sport impacted wellbeing. Younger respondents (ages 18-44) were more likely to associate sport with feelings of belonging and reduced loneliness, while middle-aged participants (ages 45–54) reported the highest benefits in terms of stress reduction. Interestingly, those aged 55–64 stood out for valuing sport as a mental break from work and a boost for optimism, showing that sport’s relevance evolves across life stages. Interestingly, older adults (65+) felt fewer wellbeing benefits overall, yet still valued sport for its nostalgic, identity-building qualities. These trends reflect the adaptability of sport in supporting wellbeing across generations.
Alex Lovén MBE, owner of Net World Sports comments:
“Sport is clearly more than just fitness and entertainment. It connects us, calms us and lifts our spirits. With over 93% of Australians reporting at least one wellbeing benefit from sport, the data shows how deeply it supports mental, emotional and social health. Whether it’s relieving stress, building friendships or fostering a sense of belonging, sport plays a vital role in keeping communities connected and individuals resilient, especially for men and younger Australians.
Interestingly, men were more likely than women to report positive impacts, especially around stress relief, mood and a sense of belonging. This could be because sport offers a socially accepted space for emotional expression and connection that men may not always find elsewhere.”
About the data
We commissioned an independent survey company, PureProfile, to survey 1,004 Australians to find out in which ways watching and playing sports impacts the social, emotional and mental wellbeing of adults.
The survey was held and analysed in June 2025 and was conducted in line with the nationally representative percentage targets for age, gender and location (state).
Respondents could select as many options as they felt appropriate from the 19 potential impacts stated. Note that percentages have been rounded and do not sum to 100% as respondents could select multiple options.
Categories for relationship status have been amalgamated in order to create a direct comparison of “in a relationship” and “not in a relationship”.