ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ compiled the data from the following reports published by the Institute for Immigration Research:
Figures for the NBA and NHL relate to the 2024/25 season, while data for the other leagues were for the 2025 season.
In the source's methodology, it was noted that the terms "immigrant" and "foreign born" were used as synonyms for individuals born outside the United States and its territories or born without U.S. citizenship. Naturalized U.S. citizens are included in this category.
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Sports league with the highest share of international players in the U.S. 2025
In 2025, a staggering ** percent of players in the NFL were born in the United States. This stood in stark contrast to the distribution of players by birthplace in other leading major sports leagues in the United States. Notably, over of NHL players were born outside the U.S. in the same period, with the popularity of the sport in Canada and the large presence of Canadian teams and players in the NHL playing a leading role in this disparity.
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Institute for Immigration Research. (October 30, 2025). Share of players born outside the United States in selected major professional sports leagues in 2025 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved August 05, 2026, from /statistics/1659264/major-sports-leagues-player-demographics-birthplace-north-america/
Institute for Immigration Research. "Share of players born outside the United States in selected major professional sports leagues in 2025." Chart. October 30, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed August 05, 2026. /statistics/1659264/major-sports-leagues-player-demographics-birthplace-north-america/
Institute for Immigration Research. (2025). Share of players born outside the United States in selected major professional sports leagues in 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: August 05, 2026. /statistics/1659264/major-sports-leagues-player-demographics-birthplace-north-america/
Institute for Immigration Research. "Share of Players Born outside The United States in Selected Major Professional Sports Leagues in 2025." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 30 Oct 2025, /statistics/1659264/major-sports-leagues-player-demographics-birthplace-north-america/
Institute for Immigration Research, Share of players born outside the United States in selected major professional sports leagues in 2025 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1659264/major-sports-leagues-player-demographics-birthplace-north-america/ (last visited August 05, 2026)
Share of players born outside the United States in selected major professional sports leagues in 2025 [Graph], Institute for Immigration Research, October 30, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1659264/major-sports-leagues-player-demographics-birthplace-north-america/
