The numbers don’t lie. In 2026, cricket is still king in Bangladesh, topping every popularity chart, every fan survey, every late-night argument in tea stalls from Chittagong to Khulna. The data’s clear – cricket’s grip on the nation hasn’t loosened. But here’s the thing about sports, about passions: they’re never static. They shift like monsoon winds. Football, the world’s game, has 3.5 billion fans globally, nearly a billion more than cricket. So the question isn’t just could football overtake cricket in Bangladesh. It’s what would it take? And more importantly – is anyone even trying?
Cricket’s Throne: A Love Story Written in Sixes and Centuries
Let’s start with the obvious. Cricket didn’t just become Bangladesh’s favorite sport by accident. It’s a love affair decades in the making, one that runs deeper than statistics or stadium turnstiles. There’s something about cricket here that feels almost sacred. The way the entire country stops when the national team plays India or Pakistan. The way a single six from Shakib Al Hasan can turn a rainy Dhaka afternoon into a street party. It’s not just a game; it’s a shared language, a unifier in a country that’s seen its fair share of divisions.
The numbers back it up, of course. In 2026, cricket still dominates every metric – TV ratings, merchandise sales, even those impromptu gully matches that erupt in every neighborhood. The subcontinent’s rivalry with India and Pakistan only fuels the fire, turning every match into a matter of national pride. But here’s the twist: even cricket isn’t immune to the ebb and flow of time. Recent years have seen a slowdown in performance, a dip in the kind of electrifying wins that once defined Bangladesh cricket. That’s not to say the throne is wobbling. But it’s worth asking – what happens when the king stumbles?
Football’s Fade: From Glory Days to Empty Stands
Football in Bangladesh has a history. A real one. There was a time, back in the 1970s and 80s, when the Dhaka League was the place to be. Crowds of 20,000-plus packed the stands, roaring for teams like Mohammedan SC and Abahani Limited. The national team wasn’t half bad either, pulling off upsets and dreaming of World Cup glory. But somewhere along the way, the dream started to fade. The crowds thinned. The scandals piled up.
By the 2010s, the Dhaka League was a shadow of its former self. Attendance dropped below 5,000 per game, and the rot went deeper than empty seats. Match-fixing scandals erupted like bad fireworks – police raids in 2019, the relegation of Arambagh KS amid whispers of corruption. The national team, once a source of pride, became a punchline. The beautiful game turned into something messy, something broken.
But here’s the thing about football. It’s stubborn. It refuses to die.
The Sparks That Refuse to Go Out
Outside Dhaka, football never really lost its heartbeat. In 2014, a U23 match in Sylhet drew 50,000 fans, a sea of green and red spilling out of the stadium. Jessore’s stadium, built for 15,000, regularly crams in 30,000-plus for local derbies. These aren’t flukes. They’re proof that the passion is still there, simmering beneath the surface, waiting for something – or someone – to ignite it.
And then there are the Ultras. In 2019, the Bangladeshi Football Ultras formed, a ragtag group of die-hard fans who travel with the national team, painting the stands in their colors, singing until their voices give out. They’re not just fans. They’re believers. And in a sport that’s been starved of investment and attention, that kind of faith is dangerous. Because faith, when it catches fire, can change everything.
Why Football Might Just Have Its Moment
Let’s be real. Football isn’t overtaking cricket in Bangladesh anytime soon. The infrastructure isn’t there. The money isn’t there. The consistent success on the pitch? Nowhere to be found. But here’s the thing about potential – it’s a stubborn little beast. And right now, football in Bangladesh has a few things working in its favor.
First, the global game is growing. Fast. Football’s 3.5 billion fans dwarf cricket’s 2.5 billion, and that gap isn’t closing. In Asia, football is on the rise, creeping into markets that were once cricket’s domain. Bangladesh isn’t immune to that pull. Second, cricket’s recent struggles – those performance dips, the lack of headline-grabbing wins – have left a tiny crack in the door [4]. If football can find a way to shove its foot in, who knows what happens next?
Then there’s the grassroots. The kids playing barefoot in the streets of Chittagong. The girls’ teams forming in schools where football was once a boys-only club. The local leagues, flawed as they are, still producing players who dream of more. Cricket has the money, the glamour, the history. But football? Football has the streets. And sometimes, that’s enough.
The Numbers Don’t Lie – But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Let’s lay it out plain. Here’s where things stand in 2026:
Fan Base – Still the national leader, no contest. Popular regionally; global appeal could tip scales.
Attendance – Strong overall, especially for big matches. Peaks outside Dhaka, but inconsistent.
Issues – Recent performance slowdown. Match-fixing, low budgets, mismanagement.
Growth Potential – High, thanks to subcontinent rivalry. Supporters’ groups, international wins could spark revival.
Cricket’s on top. Football’s fighting for scraps. But look closer. The cracks are there. Cricket’s slowdown. Football’s regional passion. The global shift toward the world’s game. None of this guarantees a flip. But it sure as hell makes things interesting.
So What’s Next?
Here’s the truth: cricket isn’t going anywhere. Not in 2026, not in 2030, probably not ever. It’s too big, too entrenched, too much a part of Bangladesh’s identity. But football? Football’s the wildcard. The underdog with a global army at its back. It won’t overtake cricket overnight. Maybe it never will. But if the right people start paying attention – if the money starts flowing, if the scandals stop, if the national team starts winning – then all bets are off.
For now, the throne belongs to cricket. But thrones, as history shows, are only as stable as the hands that hold them. And in Bangladesh, those hands are getting restless.
Want to weigh in? Head over to football predictions at Tips GG and see how the beautiful game’s future might unfold. Or just grab a cup of cha and argue with your friends. Either way, the game’s not over yet.
