National Sports
A national sport is a sport or game that is considered to be an intrinsic part of the culture of a nation. Some sports are national sports as established by the law of the country, while others are popularly accepted as national sports.
The national sport is not necessarily (and not usually) the most popular sport in that country, but they are sports or pastimes that are important historically or culturally significant to the country.
List of National Sports
Below is a list of countries and the sport or sports that are either officially or generally accepted as the national sport. Not all countries are listed, if you know of some details that should be listed here please let me know in the comments below.
| Country | Sport | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Buzkashi | |
| Anguilla | Yacht racing | |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Cricket | |
| Argentina | Pato | defined as a national sport in 1953 |
| Australia | Cricket, AFL, Rugby League | there is no official national sport, though there are good arguments for both cricket and Australian Football |
| Bahamas | Cricket | Cricket defined as a national sport in 1973, though there is a push for sloop sailing to be the national sport. |
| Bangladesh | Kabaddi | defined as a national sport in 1972 |
| Barbados | Cricket | |
| Bermuda | Cricket | |
| Bhutan | Archery | |
| Brazil | Capoeira | Capoeira defined as a national sport in 1972. Association Football is also considered a national sport. |
| Bulgaria | Association Football, Volleyball | |
| Cayman Islands | cricket, football, fishing | unoffical national sports |
| Canada | Lacrosse (summer), Ice hockey (winter) | defined as national sports in 1994 |
| Chile | Chilean rodeo | defined as a national sport in 1962 |
| China | Table Tennis | there is no official national sport in China, though table tennis is very popular, and China is well known for this sport. |
| Colombia | Tejo | Tejo was defined as a national sport in 2000 |
| Cuba | Baseball | |
| Czechia | Ice hockey | |
| Denmark | Aossociation Football, Handball | |
| Dominican Republic | Baseball | |
| England | Association Football, Cricket | |
| Estonia | Basketball | |
| Finland | Pesäpallo | |
| Gambia | Wrestling | |
| Georgia | Rugby union | |
| Grenada | Cricket | |
| Guyana | Cricket, Water Polo | |
| Haiti | Football | |
| Hungary | Football or Water polo | |
| Iceland | Handball | |
| India | Field Hockey, Cricket | There is no officially declared national sport. Many would consider cricket to be the national sport given its popularity. |
| Indonesia | Pencak Silat | |
| Iran | Varzesh-e Bastani (wrestling) | The wrestling sport of Varzesh-e Bastani was defined as a national sport in 1976. Polo is also considered a national sport, though football is the most popular. |
| Ireland | Gaelic games | |
| Israel | Football | |
| Italy | Football | |
| Jamaica | Cricket | |
| Japan | Sumo Wrestling, baseball | Sumo wrestling may be considered as the national sport of Japan, though baseball is the most popular sport |
| Latvia | Basketball (summer), Ice hockey (winter) | |
| Lithuania | Basketball | |
| Madagascar | Rugby union | |
| Malaysia | Sepak Takraw | |
| Mauritius | Football | |
| Mexico | Charrería | Charrería is a competitive event similar to rodeo. It was defined as a national sport in 1933 |
| Mongolia | Archery, Mongolian wrestling, Horse racing | |
| Nepal | Volleyball | Dandi Biyo was defined as a national sport in 1973, then in 2017 it was changed to volleyball. |
| New Zealand | Rugby Union | |
| Norway | Cross-country skiing | |
| Pakistan | Field Hockey | defined as a national sport in 1948 |
| Papua New Guinea | Rugby league | |
| Peru | Paleta Frontón | |
| Philippines | Arnis | defined as a national sport in 2009. Sipa is the Philippines' traditional native sport which predates Spanish rule. |
| Poland | Football | |
| Puerto Rico | Baseball, Paso Fino | Paso Fino horse riding was defined as as the autochthonous sport in 1966. |
| Romania | Oina | Oina is a Romanian traditional sport, similar to baseball |
| Russia | Bandy | |
| Scotland | Golf | |
| Senegal | 'La lutte' | a traditional wrestling style |
| Serbia | Banatske Šore | |
| Slovenia | Alpine skiing | |
| South Korea | Taekwondo | |
| Spain | Football | There appears to be no official national sport in Spain, though football is the most popular and favorite sport of Spaniards, though some consider Bull Fighting (is it even a sport?) to be the national sport. |
| Sri Lanka | Volleyball | defined as a national sport in 1991 |
| Tajikistan | Gushtigiri | |
| Türkiye | Oil wrestling & Cirit | |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | Cricket | |
| United States | Baseball | |
| Uruguay | Destrezas Criollas (Creole Skills) | defined as a national sport in 2006 |
| Venezuela | Baseball | some sources also list volleyball |
| Wales | Rugby union |
source: the original list was from the wikipedia listings of national sports, which has been added to and expanded upon
Related Pages
- Complete List of Sports
- List of team sports
- Definition of what is a sport?
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
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