spectator sport

noun

1. any sport that can be watched by spectators, as football or basketball, usually for a fee.

spectator sport

noun

1. a sport that attracts more people as spectators than as participants

Word History and Origins

Origin of spectator sport¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

In Fields’ words, 24hr racing is “definitely not a spectator sport”, which might explain why there is genuine excitement every four hours when all the runners change direction in an attempt to prevent injury.

From BBC

For visitors and locals alike, ongoing drama over whether the Seine will be swimmable has become its own spectator sport.

From Los Angeles Times

According to The Official Monster Raving Loony Party website other policies include Wellingborough Golf Club being developed into an intergalactic space port and fishing made a spectator sport by introducing piranha into the River Nene.

From BBC

For the last three decades, badminton has been a competitive Olympic sport, and with "bird" speeds topping 300 mph in "smash" shots, it certainly makes for exciting spectator sport.

From Science Daily

The performing arts and spectator sports industry has seen the largest recovery so far - 5% above its February 2020 employment level.

From Reuters