Sports

Rugby union and rugby league are the most popular sports in Samoa. Netball and soccer are two other popular sports. Samoans in American Samoa are more likely to watch or participate in American sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. Most ethnic Samoans, regardless of location, enjoy sports such as mixed martial arts, boxing, professional wrestling, and volleyball. Samoan ancestors include Dwayne Johnson, Peter Maivia, Yokozuna, Umaga/Jamal, Manu, Rosey, Samoa Joe, The Wild Samoans, The Headshrinkers, Rikishi, Roman Reigns, and Sonny Siaki.

The national team of the Ruby Union is consistently competitive against teams from much larger countries. Samoa has competed in every Rugby World Cup since 1991, reaching the quarterfinals three times. The Samoa Rugby Football Union governs the sport, and as members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance, they also contribute to the international Pacific Islanders rugby union team. Pat Lam and Brian Lima are two prominent Samoan players. Furthermore, many Samoans have played for or are currently playing for the All Blacks.

In Samoa, American football is a popular sport, but it trails rugby union and rugby league in terms of participation. The Samoan Islands have produced the most NFL players per capita. A boy born to Samoan parents is estimated to be 56 times more likely than any other boy in America to get into the NFL. Several Samoans have dabbled in professional wrestling. The first Samoan to break into the major circuits was high chief Peter Maivia. Dwayne Johnson, his grandson, and Savelina Fanene, his first cousin once removed, have both made a name for themselves as a result of his influence. The prominent Anoa'i family, led by stalwarts Afa and Sika Anoa'i, followed in Maivia's footsteps.