What are all the sports called?
Overview of Sports Names
There are hundreds of sports played globally, each with unique rules and histories. While listing every single sport ever played might not be possible in a single response, here’s a comprehensive overview of the most widely recognized sports, grouped by category:
Team Sports
- Soccer (Football)
- Basketball
- Baseball
- American Football
- Rugby (Union & League)
- Cricket
- Hockey (Ice & Field)
- Volleyball
- Handball
- Water Polo
- Lacrosse
- Softball
Racquet and Paddle Sports
- Tennis
- Table Tennis
- Badminton
- Squash
- Pickleball
- Paddle Tennis
Combat Sports
- Boxing
- Wrestling
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
- Judo
- Taekwondo
- Karate
- Fencing
- Kickboxing
Track, Field, and Athletics
- Running (Sprints, Marathons)
- Hurdles
- Long Jump
- High Jump
- Pole Vault
- Shot Put
- Discus Throw
- Javelin Throw
- Decathlon/Heptathlon
Water Sports
- Swimming
- Diving
- Rowing
- Canoeing / Kayaking
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Water Skiing
Winter Sports
- Skiing (Alpine, Cross-country)
- Snowboarding
- Ice Skating (Figure, Speed)
- Bobsleigh
- Skeleton
- Luge
- Curling
Motorsports
- Formula 1
- Rally Racing
- Motorcycle Racing (MotoGP)
- NASCAR
- Drag Racing
Other Popular Sports
- Golf
- Cycling
- Equestrian (Show Jumping, Dressage, Eventing)
- Gymnastics
- Skateboarding
- Climbing
- Archery
- Shooting
- Bowling
- Ultimate Frisbee
This is not a complete list, as there are hundreds more, including regional, traditional, and emerging sports. For an exhaustive alphabetical listing, reference resources such as the Encyclopedia of Sports or the International Olympic Committee’s recognized sports list.