Top 20 Athletics & Sports from Chicago on Instagram Influencers by Follower Growth

Last updated: April 03, 2026

Total Athletics & Sports Influencers in Chicago, United States of America

1,507

Expected Reach

27.2M

Total Followers

81.0M

Avg Engagement

5.30%

Audience Analysis

Gender Distribution

Female38%
Male62%

Age Distribution

25-3442.0%
18-2430.9%
35-4415.7%
13-175.3%

Top Countries

United States of America56.2%
Brazil3.8%
Canada3.2%
India2.3%
United Kingdom2.2%

Top Languages

en77.4%
es7.9%
pt4.6%

Top Cities

Chicago4.5%
Los Angeles1.8%
New York City1.8%
Atlanta0.6%
Istanbul0.6%

Top 20 Creators

RankInfluencerLocationFollowersEngagementMonthly GrowthScore
1
Colston Loveland
@_colstonloveland_
2️⃣0️⃣8️⃣ @vuoriclothing Athlete Business inquiries: Caydenloveland@gmail.com
Chicago, United States of America
380.5K
Followers
26.50%
Engagement
+16.1%(+52.9K)
9.1
2
Kat Vera
@katvfitness
@buffbunny_collection code “KATV” 📧 katverafitness@gmail.com YouTube linked⤵️
Chicago, United States of America
561.7K
Followers
2.45%
Engagement
+9.4%(+48.1K)
5.7
3
Carolyn Reiko
@carolynrhoover
NYC & Hawaii | 41 countries solo Team USA | Ironman | 26.2 x 33 | Worlds🥈 @freedommodels 💌: contact@carolynrhoover.com
Chicago, United States of America
206.8K
Followers
8.77%
Engagement
+9.9%(+18.6K)
3.7
4
Annie Agar
@annieagar5
NFL correspondent at @chsn 1.1M tiktok I put teams in uncomfortable meetings🏈 for business inquiries: dspander@insightsportsadvisors.com
Chicago, United States of America
548.0K
Followers
4.98%
Engagement
+3.3%(+17.5K)
8.4
5
Anders Young
@andersyoung
777 pilot at @united • 1941 luscombe 8 chicago & norcal • views are my own
Chicago, United States of America
260.8K
Followers
2.30%
Engagement
+7.0%(+17.1K)
8.4
6
Kyle Tucker
@ktuck_30
@dodgers 👑 @kyletuckerfoundation
Chicago, United States of America
283.1K
Followers
7.25%
Engagement
+5.6%(+15.0K)
9.3
7
Paul Bissonnette
@biznasty
Retired hockey player working in the world of media with the @spittinchiclets podcast & @nhlontnt. Co-founder of @pinkwhitney. 🤠🏒
Chicago, United States of America
727.0K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+1.7%(+12.1K)
7.4
8
Jon’s Running
@jonsrunning
♾️ | Team @lskd.usa ✖️ | Sub 2:45 Marathon Runner 🇸🇪 | Chicago based student 📩 | Contact.jonsrunning@gmail.com
Chicago, United States of America
569.7K
Followers
N/A
Engagement
+2.0%(+11.1K)
6.9
9
CJ Jones
@icansports413
Phil 4:13 NUPE♦️ CHI➡️ATL ✉️: Icansports413@gmail.com
Chicago, United States of America
6.7K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+53.0%(+8.7K)
9.6
10
Dermot Mulroney
@dermotmulroney
actor/musician - @jackrabbit.band.la : at work #chicagofire ❤️🔥& #thehuntingwives 🖤
Chicago, United States of America
261.7K
Followers
3.43%
Engagement
+2.7%(+6.9K)
8.0
11
Soraya
@sorayamai_
💌: sorayamaibiz@gmail.com @womensbest | Code: SORAYA 📍 Chicago The Hourglass Body Blueprint Challenge ⬇️
Chicago, United States of America
581.1K
Followers
4.58%
Engagement
+1.0%(+5.7K)
5.9
12
Mike Katic
@mike.katic
Indiana Football Alum | Chicago |@barstoolsports
Chicago, United States of America
84.3K
Followers
3.65%
Engagement
+6.7%(+5.3K)
8.5
13
Bree
@bree.delio
what’s the delio 💌 deliobree@gmail.com
Chicago, United States of America
169.9K
Followers
4.47%
Engagement
+3.1%(+5.1K)
7.8
14
cos
@cosliftss
chicago @youngla @rawnutrition @hummusfit @elev8.foods “cos”
Chicago, United States of America
83.7K
Followers
1.80%
Engagement
+5.7%(+4.5K)
7.9
15
Tyler Samaan
@tyzshorts
• Chicago📍|| +4 hdc || 🇺🇸 • @valpomensgolf 30’ • Business Inquires⬇️ • tytysamaan@gmail.com • Subscribe⬇️
Chicago, United States of America
40.4K
Followers
20.52%
Engagement
+12.4%(+4.4K)
9.1
16
Grant Sapkin
@grantsapkin
💎 Partner, COO @athletegem
Chicago, United States of America
64.6K
Followers
0.00%
Engagement
+6.9%(+4.2K)
8.3
17
Giovanni Mazza
@giovanniviolin
violinist 🎻 actor
Chicago, United States of America
89.2K
Followers
10.48%
Engagement
+4.7%(+4.0K)
8.5
18
Jaylon Johnson
@nbaxjay.1
I AM THE EXCEPTION #559 Lindsey@maxxmgmnt.co | Collab@teamjaylon.com
Chicago, United States of America
152.9K
Followers
8.03%
Engagement
+2.7%(+4.0K)
8.8
19
Jimmy Sotos
@jsotos1
Ball. Coffee. Yap. —📍Chicago —📩 jimmysotos@pearpop.co —🏀👇🏼☕️TRY MY COFFEE☕️👇🏼🏀
Chicago, United States of America
311.5K
Followers
1.21%
Engagement
+1.3%(+3.9K)
7.1
20
Jason Weaver
@itsjasonweaver
Just a kid from Chicago... #🐻⬇️ #FlyTheW #SeeRed
Chicago, United States of America
510.0K
Followers
0.09%
Engagement
+0.7%(+3.8K)
3.1

About This Instagram Influencer Ranking

Discover the most influential creators in Chicago with our comprehensive ranking of the top 20 influencers on Instagram who post Athletics & Sports content. This data‑driven analysis identifies the content creators who are shaping conversations, driving trends, and commanding the highest engagement rates in 2026.

Key Insights & Metrics

  • Combined Reach: 27.2M potential impressions across all ranked influencers
  • Total Audience: 81.0M followers collectively following these creators
  • Average Engagement Rate: 5.30% - significantly above industry average
  • Market Coverage: 1,507 total influencers analyzed in this category

Audience Demographics & Reach

The influencers in this ranking reach a diverse, global audience with primary concentrations in:

  • Top Markets: United States of America, Brazil, Canada
  • Gender Distribution: 38% Female, 62% Male
  • Primary Age Group: 25-34 years (42% of audience)
  • Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese

Why This Ranking Matters

For brands and marketers, this ranking provides essential intelligence for:

  • Identifying high-performing influencers for partnership opportunities
  • Understanding audience demographics for targeted campaigns
  • Benchmarking engagement rates and growth metrics
  • Discovering emerging talent with strong growth trajectories
  • Analyzing competitive landscape in Athletics & Sports niche

For content creators, these insights help with:

  • Understanding industry benchmarks and performance standards
  • Identifying successful content strategies from top performers
  • Network building and collaboration opportunities
  • Setting realistic growth targets based on peer performance

Methodology & Data Freshness

Our rankings are generated using advanced algorithms that analyze multiple performance indicators:

  • Profile Score: Proprietary metric combining reach, engagement, and growth
  • Engagement Rate: Average interaction rate across recent content
  • Growth Velocity: Month-over-month follower growth and momentum
  • Content Consistency: Posting frequency and audience retention
  • Audience Quality: Authenticity scores and demographic relevance

Data is refreshed weekly to ensure you're always working with the most current information. Last update includes performance data through April 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the fastest‑growing Athletics & Sports creator in Chicago on Instagram?

Colston Loveland (@_colstonloveland_) is, as of April 2026, the fastest‑growing Athletics & Sports creator in Chicago on Instagram, with +16.1% monthly growth (+52.9K followers).

How many followers did Colston Loveland (@_colstonloveland_) gain last month?

Colston Loveland (@_colstonloveland_) gained about 52.9K followers last month (+16.1%).

Who grew more: Colston Loveland (@_colstonloveland_) or Kat Vera (@katvfitness)?

Colston Loveland (@_colstonloveland_) grew more than Kat Vera (@katvfitness) (52.9K vs 48.1K).

How is Kat Vera (@katvfitness) performing right now?

Kat Vera (@katvfitness) is growing at +9.4% (+48.1K) per month, with a Profile Score of 5.7 and average engagement of 2.45%.

How is Carolyn Reiko (@carolynrhoover) performing right now?

Carolyn Reiko (@carolynrhoover) is growing at +9.9% (+18.6K) per month, with a Profile Score of 3.7 and average engagement of 8.77%.

How is Annie Agar (@annieagar5) performing right now?

Annie Agar (@annieagar5) is growing at +3.3% (+17.5K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.4 and average engagement of 4.98%.

How is Anders Young (@andersyoung) performing right now?

Anders Young (@andersyoung) is growing at +7.0% (+17.1K) per month, with a Profile Score of 8.4 and average engagement of 2.30%.

Who had the higher percentage growth: Kat Vera (@katvfitness) or Carolyn Reiko (@carolynrhoover)?

Carolyn Reiko (@carolynrhoover) leads (9.9% vs Kat Vera (@katvfitness) 9.4%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Colston Loveland (@_colstonloveland_)?

Colston Loveland (@_colstonloveland_) gained about 52.9K followers last month (+16.1%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Kat Vera (@katvfitness)?

Kat Vera (@katvfitness) gained about 48.1K followers last month (+9.4%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Carolyn Reiko (@carolynrhoover)?

Carolyn Reiko (@carolynrhoover) gained about 18.6K followers last month (+9.9%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Annie Agar (@annieagar5)?

Annie Agar (@annieagar5) gained about 17.5K followers last month (+3.3%).

What is the absolute follower gain of Anders Young (@andersyoung)?

Anders Young (@andersyoung) gained about 17.1K followers last month (+7.0%).

Is Colston Loveland (@_colstonloveland_) still a relevant creator?

Yes — Colston Loveland (@_colstonloveland_) has a Profile Score of 9.1, average engagement of 26.50%, and +16.1% (+52.9K) monthly follower growth, indicating high relevance.

What is a good engagement rate for Athletics & Sports in United States of America?

The average engagement rate for this category is 5.30%. Generally, rates above 6.4% are considered excellent, while rates above 4.2% are good. Engagement rates vary by platform, niche, and follower count - micro-influencers often have higher rates than mega-influencers.

How is the Profile Score calculated?

The Profile Score (0-10 scale) is a composite metric that weighs several factors: 40% engagement quality, 25% audience reach, 20% growth momentum, 10% content consistency, and 5% audience authenticity. A score above 7.0 indicates a high-performing influencer, while scores above 8.5 represent elite-tier creators.

Can I use this data for influencer marketing campaigns?

Yes! This ranking is designed to help brands, agencies, and marketers identify potential partnership opportunities. The data provides a starting point for campaign planning, competitor analysis, and market research. For detailed campaign analytics and contact information, consider upgrading to our professional tools.

What does monthly growth percentage mean?

Monthly growth shows the percentage change in followers over the past 30 days. Positive growth (green) indicates gaining followers, while negative growth (red) means losing followers. The number in parentheses shows the absolute follower change. High growth rates often indicate viral content or successful campaigns.

Why should I track influencers in Chicago?

Location-specific influencer tracking is crucial for targeted marketing campaigns. Local influencers often have higher engagement rates within their geographic area, understand cultural nuances, and can drive better ROI for region-specific products or services. They're particularly valuable for retail, hospitality, and location-based businesses.

How can I improve my ranking as an influencer?

Focus on these key areas: (1) Increase engagement by creating content that encourages comments and shares, (2) Post consistently to maintain audience interest, (3) Use relevant hashtags to expand reach, (4) Collaborate with other creators in your niche, (5) Respond to comments to build community, and (6) Analyze your best-performing content and create similar pieces.

Note: This ranking represents a snapshot of current instagram influence based on publicly available data. Rankings can fluctuate based on content performance, platform algorithm changes, and audience behavior. Use this data as one of several factors in your decision-making process.