This Sport Life: lists about sports and sporting events from around the world sport colours of the world

List of Sports, from A to Z

There are hundreds of sports played regularly around the world, which we have listed here in alphabetical order.

a-to z of sports
Z is for Zorbing

Here's just a list of sports, one for each letter of the alphabet:

  • A is for Athletics – Athletics includes running, jumping, and throwing events, and is one of the most popular sports worldwide. It’s a core part of the Olympic Games and enjoyed at all levels. More A Sports.
  • B is for Basketball – Basketball is a fast-paced team sport where players score by shooting a ball through a raised hoop. It’s hugely popular in the US and globally through leagues like the NBA. More B Sports.
  • C is for Cricket – Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams, especially popular in countries like India, England, and Australia, with major international tournaments and long traditions. More C Sports.
  • D is for Diving – Diving involves athletes performing acrobatic jumps and twists into water from springboards or platforms, combining grace, precision, and courage. More D Sports.
  • E is for Equestrian – Equestrian sports involve horse riding disciplines such as show jumping, dressage, and eventing, blending athletic skill with partnership between rider and horse. More E Sports.
  • F is for Football (Soccer) – Football, known as soccer in some countries, is the world’s most popular sport, played and watched by millions in every corner of the globe. More F Sports.
  • G is for Golf – Golf is played on large courses where players aim to hit a ball into a series of holes in as few strokes as possible, prized for its skill, strategy, and tradition. More G Sports.
  • H is for Handball – Handball is a fast-paced indoor team sport where players pass and bounce a ball using their hands to score goals in the opponent’s net. It combines speed, skill, and teamwork, and is especially popular in Europe. More H Sports.
  • I is for Ice Hockey – Ice hockey is a thrilling, high-speed sport played on ice, especially popular in Canada, the USA, and parts of Europe. More I Sports.
  • J is for Judo – Judo is a modern martial art from Japan focused on throws and grappling techniques, promoting discipline, respect, and physical control. More J Sports.
  • K is for Karate – Karate is a striking martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan, emphasizing punches, kicks, and disciplined technique. More K Sports.
  • L is for Lacrosse – Lacrosse is a team sport where players use a stick with a net to catch, carry, and pass a ball, combining speed, skill, and teamwork. More L Sports.
  • M is for Motorsport – Motorsport includes racing with cars, motorbikes, and other vehicles, with Formula 1 being one of the world’s most-watched sporting series. More M Sports.
  • N is for Netball – Netball is a fast, skillful team game similar to basketball but with distinct rules, played widely by women and growing in popularity globally. More N Sports.
  • O is for Orienteering – Orienteering challenges competitors to navigate through terrain using a map and compass, combining fitness with decision-making skills. More O Sports.
  • P is for Pickleball – Pickleball is a racket sport blending tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, played on a small court with paddles and a perforated ball. More P Sports.
  • Q is for Quidditch – Inspired by the Harry Potter series, quidditch has become a real-world mixed-gender sport combining running, tackling, and teamwork, played on fields around the world. More Q Sports.
  • R is for Rugby – Rugby is a full-contact team sport with two main forms (rugby union and rugby league), known for its strength, strategy, and passionate following. More R Sports.
  • S is for Swimming – Swimming is both a vital life skill and a competitive sport, featuring races across different strokes and distances in pools and open water. More S Sports.
  • T is for Tennis – Tennis is a global racket sport played individually or in pairs, combining power, precision, and endurance on courts of grass, clay, or hard surfaces. More T Sports.
  • U is for Ultimate (Frisbee) – Ultimate is a non-contact team sport played with a flying disc, known for its spirit of fair play and mix of athleticism and strategy. More U Sports.
  • V is for Volleyball – Volleyball is a team sport where players hit a ball over a high net, aiming to land it in the opponent’s court. It’s played both indoors and on beaches worldwide. More V Sports.
  • W is for Wrestling – Wrestling is one of the oldest sports, involving grappling and holds to pin or outscore an opponent, featured in many cultures and the Olympic Games. More W Sports.
  • X is for X-Country Skiing – Cross-country skiing (X-Country) is a winter endurance sport where athletes glide across snowy terrain using skis and poles, testing strength and stamina. More X Sports.
  • Y is for Yachting – Yachting, or sailing, involves racing boats powered by the wind, combining technical skill, teamwork, and navigation. More Y Sports.
  • Z is for Zorb Football – Zorb Football is a team sport derived from association football in which players are encased in large inflatable bubbles called Zorbs and attempt to score goals. More Z Sports.
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