There are 103 sports that start with the letter S. From Saber Fencing to Synchronized Swimming. Sports, as a structured form of physical activity, play a vital role in cultures worldwide, serving as a means of entertainment, competition, and community engagement. Activities can range from team sports, like soccer and basketball, to individual pursuits like athletics and swimming. The evolution of sports has been influenced by various cultural, social, and technological factors, leading to the establishment of governing bodies, international competitions like the Olympics, and extensive professional leagues. Sports contribute significantly to physical health, social bonding, and can even have a positive economic impact on communities through events and tourism.

One interesting fun fact about sports is that cricket, often regarded as a national pastime in countries like India and England, is played by more than 120 countries and has a dedicated following of over 2.5 billion fans worldwide, making it one of the most popular sports globally.

Here’s what each of the columns in the table means:

Origin Country: This column indicates the country where the sport was first developed or is considered to have originated.

Player Count: This represents the typical number of players involved in a game or match, reflecting the format of the sport—whether it is individual or team-based.

Equipment Needed: This column lists the primary gear or tools necessary to participate in the sport, which could vary widely depending on the nature of the activity.

Description: This provides a brief overview of the sport, outlining its rules, objectives, and how it is generally played or competed.

Sports That Start With S

Sports origin country player count equipment needed
Saber Fencing France 2 Saber, uniform
Sabre Fencing France 2 Sabre sword, mask, clothing
Sailboat Racing United Kingdom 1-2 per boat Sailboat, life jackets
Sailing United Kingdom 1-2 per boat Sailboat, lifejacket
Sandboarding United States 1 Sandboard
Scooter Polo United Kingdom 4 to 8 players Scooters, polo mallet, ball
Scuba Diving United States 1+ Scuba gear (tanks, regulator, mask, etc.)
Sepak Takraw Malaysia 2 teams of 3 Ball, net
Shandong Weiqi China 2 players Weiqi board and stones
Shark Feeding Various 1-6 Diving gear
Sheep Herding United Kingdom 1-2 Sheep, herding dogs
Sheep Shearing New Zealand 1+ Shearing tools
Sheepdog Trials United Kingdom 1 handler, 1 dog Herding dogs, sheep
Shin Kicking United Kingdom 2 players None
Shock Ball United States 2-4 players Shock ball, playing field
Shoot Riding India 1 Horse, gun
Shooting United Kingdom 1 Firearms, targets
Shorttrack Speed Skating Netherlands 4-6 Skates, protective gear
Shot Put Ancient Greece 1 athlete Shot put ball
Shotgun Shooting United States 1-2 Shotgun, ammunition
Shuai Jiao China 2 players None
Shuffleboard United States 2-4 Cue, pucks
Shurikenjutsu Japan 1+ Shuriken (throwing stars)
Sidecar Racing United Kingdom 1 rider, 1 passenger Motorcycle and sidecar attachment
Sipa Philippines 2+ players Sipa (shuttlecock)
Skateboarding United States 1 Skateboard, protective gear
Skeet Shooting United States 1-2 Shotgun, clay targets
Skeleton Great Britain 1 Sled, helmet
Ski Jumping Norway 1 Skis, ski jump
Ski Mountaineering Switzerland 1-4 Skis, climbing gear
Ski Orienteering Finland 1 Skis, map, compass
Skibob Austria 1-2 Skibob, ski poles
Skijoring Russia 1-2 Skis, harness, tow rope, horse or motorized vehicle
Skimboarding United States 1 player Skimboard
Sky Diving United States 1+ Parachute, jumpsuit, helmet
Sky Surfing United States 1 athlete Specialized surfboard
Skyboarding United States 1 Skydiving equipment
Skydiving United States 1 Parachute, jumpsuit
Slalom Canoeing United Kingdom 1-2 Canoe, paddles
Slalom Skiing Norway 1 Skis, poles
Slam Dunk Contest United States 2+ Basketball, hoop
Sled Dog Racing Canada 1-16 Sled, dogs
Sled Hockey Canada 2 teams of 6 Sled, 2 sticks
Sled Pulling Siberia 1-2 athletes Harness, sled
Sledge Hockey Canada 6 players per team Sledges, sticks, puck
Sling Shot Various 1 player Sling shot
Slingerball Netherlands 2 to 4 players Slingshot, ball
Slither Race Indonesia 2-4 players Snakes
Snail Racing Various 2-4 players Snails
Snipe Hunting United States 1+ None
Snooker United Kingdom 2 Cue, balls, table
Snowboarding United States 1 Snowboard, bindings
Snowkite Norway 1 person Skis/snowboard, kite
Snowkite Jumping Various 1 player Snowkite, skis/snowboard
Snowkite Mountaineering Switzerland 1-3 Snowkite, skis/snowboard, climbing gear
Snowkite Surfing Norway 1 Snowkite, snowboard/skis
Snowkiting Norway 1 Kite, snowboard/skis
Snowmobile Drag Racing United States 2 Snowmobile, safety gear
Snowmobile Racing Canada 1 athlete Snowmobile
Snowmobiling Canada 1-2 Snowmobile
Snowshoe Racing Canada 1 athlete Snowshoes
Snowshoeing Canada 1 Snowshoes
Soaring United States 1 or more players Glider aircraft
Soccer England 2 teams of 11 Ball
Soft Tennis Japan 2 teams of 2 players Soft ball, racket
Softball United States 2 teams of 9-10 players Bat, ball, gloves, field
Spearfishing Greece 1 Speargun, diving gear
Speed Climbing Italy 1-2 Climbing gear
Speed Golf United States 1 Golf clubs, golf ball
Speed Skating Netherlands 1+ Skates
Speedball United States 2 teams of 7-10 players Ball, field
Speedcubing Hungary 1 player Rubik’s Cube
Speedskating Netherlands 1 Skates
Speedway Racing United Kingdom 4-6 Motorcycle, safety gear
Spelunking United States 1-4 people Caving gear
Spikeball United States 2 teams of 2-4 Spikeball set (net, ball)
Sport Stacking United States 1-6 Plastic cups
Squash England 2 Racket, ball, court
Stair Climbing United States 1 None
Stair Running United States 1 or more players None
Stairclimbing United States 1 Stairclimbing machine
Stand-Up Paddleboarding Hawaii 1 Paddleboard, paddle
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP) United States 1 Paddleboard, paddle
Steeplechase Ireland 1-2 Horses, fences, water jump
Steer Roping United States 1 Lariat, horse, steer
Steer Wrestling United States 1 Horse, steer
Stickball United States 2 teams of 5-10 Bat, ball, bases
Stone Skipping Scotland 1+ Flat stones
Street Luge United States 1 Luge, protective gear
Strongman Competition United States 1 Various equipment
Sumo Wrestling Japan 2 Mawashi (belt), dohyo (ring)
Supercross United States 1+ Motorcycle
Surfing Hawaii, United States 1 Surfboard
Swamp Football Finland 2 teams of 5-7 players Ball, swamp
Swamp Soccer Finland 2 teams of 4 to 6 players Soccer ball, boots
Swedish Club Sweden 2 players Clubs, ball
Swing Dancing United States 2+ None
Swiss Ball Switzerland 1 or more players Exercise ball
Sword Swallowing India 1 Sword
Swordfighting Germany 2 Swords, protective gear
Swordsmanship Japan 1-2 Sword, armor
Synchronized Skating United States Teams of 8-20 skaters Skates
Synchronized Swimming Canada 2-8 Swimsuit, cap, nose clip

Descriptions

Saber Fencing
A type of fencing that involves using a 40-inch curved sword called a saber. Competitors aim to score points by hitting their opponent’s target area with the edge or point of the saber.
Sabre Fencing
A type of fencing where the objective is to score points by making contact with the opponent’s valid target area with the edge of the sabre. It is an agile and fast-paced sport that requires quick reflexes and precise movements.
Sailboat Racing
Competitive sailing events where participants race sailboats over a predetermined course, testing their skills in navigating the wind and water conditions.
Sailing
A water sport that involves propelling a boat using the wind as the primary source of power. Sailors use various techniques to control the direction and speed of the boat.
Sandboarding
A recreational activity where participants ride down sand dunes or other sandy slopes on specialized boards, similar to snowboarding.
Scooter Polo
Scooter Polo is a variant of traditional polo played on motorized scooters instead of horses. Players use a mallet to hit a ball through a goal, with the objective of scoring more points than the opposing team.
Scuba Diving
An underwater sport that involves using self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (scuba) to explore and dive in bodies of water, typically oceans and lakes.
Sepak Takraw
A sport that combines elements of volleyball, football, and martial arts. Players use their feet, knees, chest, and head to pass a rattan ball over a net.
Shandong Weiqi
Shandong Weiqi is a traditional Chinese board game similar to Go, with roots dating back to the 5th century BCE. The game is played on a 19×19 grid, with players taking turns placing black and white stones to surround territory and capture opponent’s stones.
Shark Feeding
A controlled activity where divers interact with sharks, typically by hand-feeding them in their natural habitat. It is often used for research, education, and ecotourism purposes.
Sheep Herding
A traditional agricultural practice where a person, often assisted by herding dogs, guides a flock of sheep to a desired location or direction.
Sheep Shearing
A sport that involves the quick and efficient shearing of wool from sheep, often in competitions to determine the fastest and most skilled shearers.
Sheepdog Trials
Sheepdog Trials are competitions where handlers guide their trained dogs through a series of tasks to herd and manage a flock of sheep. The events test the dog’s responsiveness, agility, and the handler’s ability to control the dog from a distance.
Shin Kicking
Shin Kicking is a traditional English sport where two opponents attempt to kick each other’s shins until one person falls to the ground. The sport originated in the Cotswolds region and is still practiced at the annual Cokethorpe Games.
Shock Ball
A high-speed, action-packed game where players use a shock-absorbing ball to score points by hitting targets on the opposing side’s side of the field.
Shoot Riding
A combat sport where a rider on horseback competes in shooting targets while maintaining control of the horse.
Shooting
A sport involving the use of various types of firearms, such as rifles, pistols, and shotguns, to hit targets at varying distances.
Shorttrack Speed Skating
A form of speed skating where multiple skaters race around a short, oval track, usually indoors. It is known for its high speeds and close, tactical racing.
Shot Put
A track and field event where athletes throw a heavy metal ball (‘shot’) as far as possible. Requires strength, technique, and precision to generate maximum distance.
Shotgun Shooting
A competitive sport in which participants use shotguns to shoot at clay targets thrown into the air. It requires precision, timing, and marksmanship skills.
Shuai Jiao
Shuai Jiao is a traditional Chinese martial art and combat sport that involves grappling and throwing techniques. It is one of the oldest known forms of wrestling, with a history dating back over 4,000 years.
Shuffleboard
A game where players use cues to push weighted discs, also called weights or stones, down a long, narrow court, with the purpose of having them come to rest within the scoring area.
Shurikenjutsu
The martial art of throwing small, star-shaped blades called shuriken, often used for both self-defense and target practice.
Sidecar Racing
A motorcycle sport where a driver and passenger ride in a three-wheeled vehicle, navigating a race course with tight turns and obstacles.
Sipa
A traditional Filipino game similar to hacky sack, where players keep a woven rattan ball (‘sipa’) in the air using only their feet, knees, and other body parts.
Skateboarding
A sport where participants ride and perform tricks on a small, wheeled platform called a skateboard, often in specialized parks or urban environments.
Skeet Shooting
A competitive shooting sport where participants use shotguns to break clay targets that are launched from two different directions at varying angles and speeds, simulating the unpredictable flight of birds.
Skeleton
A winter sliding sport in which a person rides a small sled, known as a skeleton bobsled, down a frozen track while lying face down. It is considered one of the most thrilling and dangerous Olympic sports.
Ski Jumping
A winter sport in which athletes ski down a take-off ramp, jump into the air, and attempt to land as far down the hill as possible. Competitors are judged on the distance and style of their jumps.
Ski Mountaineering
A form of alpine skiing that combines cross-country skiing techniques with mountaineering, allowing participants to ascend and descend steep, rugged terrain.
Ski Orienteering
A winter sport that combines cross-country skiing with navigation, where participants must ski through unfamiliar terrain while using a map and compass to find designated checkpoints.
Skibob
A winter sport that involves riding a small, single-person vehicle called a skibob or ski bike down snow-covered slopes. It combines elements of skiing, snowboarding, and cycling.
Skijoring
A winter sport where a person on skis is pulled by a horse, a motor vehicle, or a team of dogs. It requires coordination, balance, and the ability to control the speed and direction of the towing animal or vehicle.
Skimboarding
A water sport where a thin, flat board is used to skim across the surface of the water, often near the shoreline, performing tricks and stunts.
Sky Diving
An extreme sport where participants jump from an aircraft and free-fall before deploying a parachute to land safely on the ground.
Sky Surfing
A extreme sport that combines skydiving and surfing, where skydivers perform acrobatic maneuvers while attached to a specialized surfboard-like device.
Skyboarding
A sport that combines skydiving and wakeboarding, where participants use a board attached to their feet to perform aerial maneuvers while in free fall.
Skydiving
An adventure sport where participants jump from an aircraft and free fall before deploying a parachute to land safely on the ground. It requires specialized training and equipment.
Slalom Canoeing
A paddling sport where a canoe or kayak navigates through a series of gates or flags on a river or artificial course. Competitors are judged on their speed and ability to maneuver through the course.
Slalom Skiing
A alpine skiing discipline where the skier navigates through a series of gates, testing their agility, balance, and technique. Slalom skiing is one of the five main alpine skiing events in the Winter Olympics.
Slam Dunk Contest
A competition in basketball where players perform acrobatic and creative dunks, often with props and theatrics, to be judged by a panel.
Sled Dog Racing
A winter sport where teams of sled dogs pull a sled carrying one or more people over snow-covered terrain. It is a traditional method of transportation in cold, remote regions.
Sled Hockey
A form of ice hockey played by athletes with physical disabilities, where players sit in specialized sleds and use two shortened sticks to propel themselves and the puck.
Sled Pulling
A sport where athletes use their strength and endurance to pull a heavy sled, often over long distances in cold, snowy conditions. Originated with reindeer herders in Siberia.
Sledge Hockey
Sledge Hockey, also known as Sled Hockey, is a Paralympic sport played on a standard ice hockey rink. Players use double-blade sledges that allow them to sit and use two sticks to propel themselves and control the puck.
Sling Shot
The sport of using a sling shot, a Y-shaped device that uses an elastic strip to launch a projectile, for target practice or competitive shooting.
Slingerball
Slingerball is a Dutch sport where players use a slingshot to launch a small ball across a field, with the goal of hitting a target or scoring points by landing the ball in a designated area.
Slither Race
A traditional Indonesian sport where participants race with snakes, guiding and controlling the movements of the serpents.
Snail Racing
A unique sport where participants race small garden snails, often on a circular track or course, with the winner being the first snail to cross the finish line.
Snipe Hunting
A recreational activity involving searching for a fictional animal called a ‘snipe’ in the wilderness, often as a prank on newcomers.
Snooker
A cue sport played on a large, green baize-covered table with pockets at each of the four corners and in the middle of each long side. Players use a cue stick to strike balls into the pockets.
Snowboarding
A winter sport where participants ride down snow-covered slopes on a single board, using their feet to control the direction and speed of the board.
Snowkite
A winter sport that combines elements of kiteboarding and skiing/snowboarding, using a large kite to propel a person across snow or ice at high speeds.
Snowkite Jumping
A winter sport where a participant uses a large kite to propel themselves into the air while on skis or a snowboard, performing jumps and tricks.
Snowkite Mountaineering
A winter sport that combines snowkiting, where a kite is used to propel a skier or snowboarder, with mountaineering techniques to ascend and descend steep, remote terrain.
Snowkite Surfing
A winter sport that combines elements of kiteboarding and snowboarding/skiing, using a large kite to propel the rider across snow-covered terrain.
Snowkiting
A winter sport that combines elements of kiteboarding and skiing/snowboarding, where a kite is used to propel the participant over snow-covered surfaces.
Snowmobile Drag Racing
A motorsport where participants race specialized snowmobiles in a straight-line drag race on a prepared course, testing the machines’ speed and acceleration.
Snowmobile Racing
A motorsport where high-powered snowmobiles compete on groomed tracks or across frozen landscapes, testing speed, handling, and driver skill.
Snowmobiling
A winter activity where participants ride motorized, tracked vehicles called snowmobiles over snow-covered terrain, often for recreational or transportation purposes.
Snowshoe Racing
A winter sport where competitors race on foot while wearing specialized snowshoes, navigating through snow-covered terrain as quickly as possible.
Snowshoeing
A winter activity where participants use specialized footwear called snowshoes to walk on top of deep snow, allowing for easier movement and exploration of snowy landscapes.
Soaring
Soaring, also known as gliding, is an aviation sport where pilots fly aircraft without the use of an engine. Soaring pilots use updrafts and thermals to gain altitude and maintain flight, often for extended periods.
Soccer
A team sport where two opposing teams of eleven players each try to get the ball into the other team’s goal using any part of their body except their hands and arms.
Soft Tennis
A variation of traditional tennis played with a softer, lighter ball, allowing for a more relaxed and recreational game experience.
Softball
A sport similar to baseball, but with a larger ball that is pitched underhand. Teams of 9-10 players attempt to score runs by hitting the ball and running the bases.
Spearfishing
An underwater hunting technique where participants use a speargun to catch fish. It requires skill, patience, and knowledge of marine environments.
Speed Climbing
A competitive climbing event where participants race against the clock to scale an artificial climbing wall as quickly as possible. It tests power, technique, and agility.
Speed Golf
A variation of golf where players attempt to complete a full round of golf as quickly as possible, often running between shots to save time.
Speed Skating
A winter sport where athletes race on ice skates, competing to see who can cover a certain distance the fastest.
Speedball
A combination of soccer, basketball, and handball, played on a field with goals at each end. Players must advance the ball using any legal means, with the objective of scoring points by getting the ball through the goal.
Speedcubing
Speedcubing, also known as competitive Rubik’s Cube solving, is the sport of solving various twisty puzzles, such as the Rubik’s Cube, as quickly as possible. Competitors aim to solve the puzzles in the shortest amount of time possible, often using specialized techniques and algorithms.
Speedskating
A winter sport in which competitors race on skates around an enclosed ice track. There are different forms, including long track, short track, and speed skating marathon events.
Speedway Racing
A form of motorcycle racing that takes place on a short, oval track, where riders compete in close proximity at high speeds.
Spelunking
The recreational exploration of caves, involving navigating narrow passages, climbing, and overcoming challenging terrain and conditions within the underground environment.
Spikeball
A net sport played between two teams of two to four players who hit a ball onto a round net, trying to make it bounce in a way that the opposing team cannot return.
Sport Stacking
Also known as cup stacking, this is the sport of quickly stacking and restacking specialized plastic cups in predetermined patterns.
Squash
A racket sport played in a four-walled court, where two players hit a small, hollow rubber ball back and forth, trying to force the other player to miss or hit the ball out of bounds.
Stair Climbing
A fitness activity where participants climb stairs, usually in a building or stadium, for exercise and cardiovascular training.
Stair Running
Stair Running, also called Tower Running or Vertical Running, is a sport where athletes run up flights of stairs in tall buildings or stadiums. Competitors test their endurance and leg strength as they ascend multiple floors as quickly as possible.
Stairclimbing
A fitness activity where individuals compete to see who can climb the most flights of stairs in a given time period, typically using a specialized stairclimbing machine or stadium steps.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding
A water sport where a participant stands on a large surfboard-like board and uses a single-bladed paddle to propel themselves across a body of water.
Stand-Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
A water sport where participants stand on a large, buoyant board and use a single-bladed paddle to propel themselves across the surface of a body of water.
Steeplechase
A horse race with obstacles, including water jumps and solid fences, that the horse and rider must navigate. It tests the horse’s agility, speed, and the rider’s skill and courage.
Steer Roping
A rodeo event where a cowboy on a horse uses a lariat to catch and restrain a steer by the horns, testing their skill, coordination, and horsemanship.
Steer Wrestling
A rodeo event where a cowboy on a horse leaps off and tackles a running steer to the ground, testing their strength, agility, and timing.
Stickball
A street game similar to baseball, played with a broomstick or dowel as the bat and a bouncy rubber ball, often on city streets or in vacant lots.
Stone Skipping
The recreational activity of throwing a flat stone across the surface of a body of water in a way that allows it to bounce and skip multiple times before sinking.
Street Luge
A gravity-powered sport where participants ride a specialized, low-to-the-ground luge board down steep, paved hills or roads at high speeds while lying in a prone position.
Strongman Competition
A competitive strength event where participants engage in a variety of challenging feats of strength, such as lifting heavy objects, pulling vehicles, or carrying awkward loads.
Sumo Wrestling
A traditional Japanese full-contact wrestling sport where two wrestlers try to push each other out of a circular ring or force the opponent to touch the ground with any part of their body other than the soles of their feet.
Supercross
A motorcycle racing event held in indoor arenas on constructed dirt tracks featuring steep jumps and obstacles.
Surfing
A water sport where an individual rides on the forward face of a moving wave, using a surfboard to maintain balance and control. It requires skill, balance, and the ability to read and navigate the unpredictable ocean conditions.
Swamp Football
A variant of football played in a swampy, muddy field, adding an extra challenge to the game with the slippery, unstable playing surface.
Swamp Soccer
Swamp Soccer is a variant of traditional soccer played on a muddy, swampy field. Players must navigate the soft, uneven terrain while attempting to score goals, with the added challenge of the slippery, boggy conditions.
Swedish Club
A sport where two players strike a small ball back and forth using wooden clubs, testing their accuracy, coordination, and strategic placement of shots.
Swing Dancing
A group of social dances that developed with the swing style of jazz music in the 1920s to 1940s, characterized by energetic, improvisational partnered movements.
Swiss Ball
Swiss Ball, also known as a stability ball or balance ball, is a large, inflatable ball used for various exercises and physical therapy. It challenges core stability and balance as users perform strengthening, stretching, and coordination activities while seated, lying, or standing on the ball.
Sword Swallowing
A rare and dangerous performance art where an individual inserts a sword into their esophagus and down into their stomach. It requires incredible control, flexibility, and the ability to overcome the body’s natural gag reflex.
Swordfighting
The practice of using swords, either real or blunted, in a competitive or recreational setting, often involving specific techniques and forms.
Swordsmanship
The skilled use of swords in combat, often associated with traditional martial arts like kendo, iaido, and kenjutsu. It involves techniques for wielding, striking, and defending with various types of swords.
Synchronized Skating
A team figure skating discipline where skaters perform a choreographed routine, with each member playing a specific role in creating intricate formations and patterns on the ice.
Synchronized Swimming
A water sport in which individuals or teams perform a synchronized routine of intricate movements in the water, accompanied by music. It requires exceptional flexibility, strength, and breath control.

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