MLB vs NHL:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, MLB had more branded searches than NHL among sports leagues worldwide. MLB had about 45.5 million branded searches, while NHL had 5 million. MLB made up 18.1% of all sports league searches we track, and NHL accounted for 2%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about sports leagues, both MLB and NHL appeared in all four answers. MLB and NHL were each mentioned first in two of the four answers.
Who do people search for more?
MLB, about 9 searches for every 1 for NHL
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Each is named first in 2 of 4 answers.
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Top sports leagues in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, both MLB and NHL showed up in all four answers. MLB and NHL were each listed first in two of the four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
NFL4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers- MLB4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
NBA4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
NHL4 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Premier League2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
MLS2 of 4Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
AFL0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about sports leagues
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which sports league should I go to?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best sports leagues?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best sports league for a team to follow?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“sports leagues”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“football league table”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 19, 2026.
Is MLB or NHL more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for MLB and NHL by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven sports leagues we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for MLB, NHL. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | NFL | Premier League | MLB | AFL | NBA | NHL | MLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 28.4% | 19.1% | 28.4% | 0.34% | 19.1% | 4.7% | 0.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 36.2% | 24.3% | 4.8% | 0.2% | 29.5% | 4.8% | 0.09% |
| Dec 2025 | 33.5% | 33.5% | 1.1% | 0.12% | 27.3% | 4.5% | 0.03% |
| Jan 2026 | 40% | 26.8% | 0.89% | 0.12% | 26.8% | 5.4% | 0.01% |
| Feb 2026 | 7.8% | 47.3% | 1.9% | 0.47% | 38.9% | 3.5% | 0.04% |
| Mar 2026 | 3.2% | 36% | 7.2% | 2.6% | 43.7% | 7.2% | 0.06% |
| Apr 2026 | 1.5% | 29.7% | 13.4% | 2.2% | 44.3% | 8.9% | 0.04% |
| May 2026 | 0.92% | 27.8% | 10.2% | 2% | 50.7% | 8.3% | 0.05% |
| Jun 2026 | 2.4% | 3% | 22.3% | 3.7% | 60.5% | 8.1% | 0.04% |
| Jul 2026 | 4.8% | 8.8% | 53.3% | 10.7% | 19.5% | 2.6% | 0.29% |
| Aug 2026 | 17.3% | 38.6% | 31.6% | 6.3% | 5.2% | 0.85% | 0.17% |
| Sep 2026 | 40.2% | 33.1% | 18.1% | 3.6% | 3% | 2% | 0.08% |
How has the MLB and NHL comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- The lead changed hands 2 times in the 12 months ending September 2026: NHL took it in December 2025, MLB took it in April 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MLB’s share of searches among sports leagues worldwide moved from 28.4% to 18.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 101M to 45.5M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NHL’s share of searches among sports leagues worldwide moved from 4.7% to 2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 16.6M to 5M.
How did search popularity change for sports leagues worldwide in September 2026?
3 changes
In September 2026, NFL overtook Premier League and MLB to become the leader among sports leagues worldwide, with 40.2% of the searches.
In September 2026, NHL gained share of searches among sports leagues worldwide, from 0.85% to 2%.
In September 2026, MLB lost share of searches among sports leagues worldwide, from 31.6% to 18.1%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using MLB’s and NHL’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among sports leagues
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