Whether it’s watching their favourite sport, enjoying an evening at bingo, or sipping a pint at their local pub, Welsh residents love to stay busy. So, out of all the pastimes that are available in Wales, what do people love doing the most? 

We’ll take a look at some of the most popular pastimes in Wales, from the team’s current woes in rugby union to trying their hand at online slots and everything in between. 

Rugby Union

For a significant amount of time, rugby union was the most popular sport to watch in Wales, and with one of the most highly anticipated tournaments well under way – the Six Nations Championship – all eyes are on the spectacle at the moment. 

Unfortunately for Welsh fans, Wales haven’t had the best start at the 2025 Six Nations. However, with plenty of success in the past, winning the championship several times in the last couple of decades, it’s certain fans will continue rooting for their country. 

Football

Recently, football has surpassed rugby union as the most popular sport amongst Welsh residents. With the men’s national team qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1958, it’s not surprising that the sport has seen an increase in popularity across Wales in recent years. 

Darts

Darts has seen a significant increase in viewership, particularly in Wales. The country has 

produced some outstanding and popular darts players over the years, from Leighton Rees to Richie Burnett. 

Its more recent surge in popularity could be down to the likes of modern professional darts players such as Gerwyn Price, who are dominating the sport and giving Welsh fans a strong contender to root for. 

Gambling

Wales is renowned for its love of bingo, but the prevalence of in-person bingo has seen a decline in recent years. The move to online forms of gambling has become the norm all over the world and Wales is no exception. 

Online bingo, and even online casinos and slots, have gained favour over in-person forms of gambling. However, bingo does remain a staple in Welsh culture and although there has been a decrease in physical bingo halls, it’s still beloved amongst many Welsh citizens. 

So, what is the most popular pastime in Wales? 

Since 2022, football has been the most-watched sport in Wales, with 47% of adults following the sport. Considering football is the most popular sport in the world, it’s no surprise the game has made its way into the hearts of Welsh residents – especially with Wales’ less than favourable performances in rugby union in recent years.

ARE you fans of the legends of Irish music and song? The FUREYS, renowned for their hit songs ‘I Will Love You’, ‘When You Were Sweet 16’, ‘The Green Fields of France’, ‘The Old Man’, ‘Red Rose Café’, ‘From Clare to Here’, ‘Her Father Didn’t Like Me Anyway’, ‘Leaving Nancy’, ‘Steal Away’ and many others, will hit the Torch Theatre stage this March.

The oldest of the brothers, Eddie Furey left home in 1966 and travelled to Scotland at the time of the great folk revival, where with his brother Finbar, he met and shared accommodation with then unknown folk singers Billy Connolly, Gerry Rafferty, Tam Harvey and Alex Campbell.

In 1972, Gerry Rafferty wrote ‘Her father didn’t like me anyway’ for Eddie. BBC Radio 1 presenter, the late John Peel, made it his single of the year.

They are particularly proud of their UK chart success with songs such as ‘I Will Love You’ and ‘When You Were Sweet Sixteen,’ which in turn helped bring Irish folk and traditional music to a completely new audience. The band made their Top of the Pops debut in 1981.

Eddie Furey recalls how “many musicians have told us we influenced them after hearing a record from their parents or grandparents’ collection”. Dave Stewart of The Eurythmics has credited Eddie with teaching him his first chords on the guitar while still a teenager. Eddie would return the compliment by joining Dave on stage in Paris for a jam during the latter’s wedding to Bananarama’s Siobhan Fahey.

Their emotive songs stir many emotions, tears and laughter, sadness and joy.

Tickets for The Fureys on Thursday 27 March at 7.30pm at the Torch Theatre are priced at £26.00. Visit the website for further details www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

HOW we see ourselves isn’t always how others see us. Join movement artist Sara Hartel in a workshop that explores the tension between identity and perception here at the Torch Theatre this Wednesday followed by a work in progress show on Thursday with Foreigner in My Body.

The evening workshop will give you an opportunity to learn how to creatively use audio description in a safe, nurturing environment which gives you space to explore the role gender plays in how we move, and how others see the way we move, through the creation of a piece of movement.

The show itself, Foreigner in My Body, is a work in progress show exploring the transgender journey through the lens of crossing borders. It blends circus, physical theatre and storytelling with malicious audio description. A story of rebellion and trans joy. Think of the burlesque of airport security, the luggage carousel of emotional baggage and a plane crash on aerial silks.

The workshop will be held on Wednesday 12 February at 7pm and the show on Thursday 13 February at 7pm. Both the workshop and show are suitable for those 14+. Anyone who attends the workshop can go the performance for FREE too!

Tickets for Foreigner in My Body are priced at £5.00. Visit the website for further details on www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.