spectator sport

American  

noun

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

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spectator sport British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of spectator sport

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

As directors Hernandez and Lazarte seem well aware, there’s a reason the PBA doesn’t operate the largest spectator sport in the country.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

But, Rosenfield said, “When we take joy in the distress and ruination of other people, we make monsters of ourselves,” in that the internet has turned public shaming into a gleeful, global spectator sport.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 22, 2025

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 • Jan. 9, 2024

Look, rugby needs to sort out high tackles and concussion, but this is a spectator sport and I'm not convinced handing out red cards for these types of incidents is the way to do it.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2023

I wondered if I should have brought along my boyfriend to make the experience feel more real or important, but I hadn't expected it to be a spectator sport.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi