There are 103 sports that start with the letter H. From Hacki Sack to Hyperball. 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 H

Sports origin country player count equipment needed
Hacki Sack Brazil 2+ Hacky Sack Ball
Hacky Sack USA 1+ players Small beanbag
Hacky Sack Footbag United States 2+ Hacky sack
Hammer Throw Ancient Greece 1 player Hammer
Handball Germany 7 per team Ball, goals
Handball Volleyball Germany 2 Ball, net
Hang Gliding United States 1-2 Hang Glider, Harness
Hardball Cricket England 11 per team Ball, Bat, Wickets
Hare and Hounds England 2+ None
Harmaa Kettu Finland 2 Snowshoes, poles
Harness Racing United States 2 drivers Harness, Sulky
Harpastum Ancient Rome 2 teams Ball
Harquebus Shooting Europe Individual Harquebus (early firearm)
Hashi Japan 2+ players Wooden sticks
Hawk-Bat Australia 2 teams of 4 players Bat, ball
Hayarigumi Japan 2 teams of 5-10 players each Balls, ropes
Head Tennis Germany 2 players Net, ball
Head-to-Head Curling Canada 2 per team Curling stones, brooms
Headis Germany 2 Table tennis paddle
Headrace United Kingdom 1 Kayak, helmet
Heavyweight Boxing United Kingdom 2 boxers Boxing Gloves, Mouth Guard
Heli-Skiing Canada 1 Skis, helicopter
Hellenic Croquet Greece 2-4 Mallets, balls, hoops
Helly Hansen Cup Norway 8 teams Sailboat
Helter Skelter Racing United Kingdom Individual Sled, wheels
Heptathlon Greece 1 Appropriate athletic equipment
Herb Lund Canoe Race Canada 2 per canoe Canoe
Herbathlon Greece 5 Archery equipment
High Altitude Mountaineering Nepal 1+ Climbing Gear
High Jump United States 1 High Jump Pit, Standards
High Jumping United Kingdom Individual High jump equipment
High Kick Korea 2 opponents None
High Striker United States 1 Striking apparatus
Highball USA 2+ players Ball, hoop
Highland Games Scotland Varies Kilts, Cabers, Hammers
Hikaru Genji Cup Japan 2 teams of 4 players each Ball, goal
Hill Billiards USA 2+ players Cue, balls
Hill Climb United Kingdom 1 driver Automobile
Hill Climb Racing Various Individual Specialized racing car/motorcycle
Hill Climbing United Kingdom 1 Bicycle
Hill Skipping United Kingdom Individual Skipping rope
Hillclimbing United States 1 Automobile
Hillside Golf United States 1-4 players Golf Clubs, Ball
Hilltop Soccer United Kingdom 11 Soccer ball
Hink Pint England 2 players None
Hinkypunk United Kingdom 2+ Ball, sticks
Hinnominee Native American 2 teams Ball, sticks
Hippo Polo Zimbabwe 2 teams Polo Mallets, Ball
Hippodrome Racing Ancient Greece 2+ Horses, Chariots
Historic Racing United Kingdom 1-2 Vintage Automobiles
Hobart Cup Australia 1 Horse, jockey, racetrack
Hobby Horse Finland 1-2 Hobby Horse
Hobie Cat Racing United States 1-2 Hobie Cat sailboat
Hockey England 2 teams of 11 Ball, Sticks, Goals
Hockeyball Canada 2 teams of 6 players Ball, sticks
Hockeycross Canada 2 teams of 4 Hockey stick, ball
Hoffmann-Schlag Germany 2 players Net, ball
Hog Hunting United States 1+ hunters Firearms, Hunting Gear
Hog Snout Throwing United States Individual Hog snout
Hogsback Mountain Bike Challenge South Africa 1 Mountain bike
Hollow Water Canoe Race Canada 1-2 Canoe
Holmenkollen Ski Festival Norway 1 Cross-country skis, ski jumping equipment
Holtey Bowling United Kingdom 1-6 Bowling ball, pins
Honey Hunting Nepal 1+ hunters Climbing Gear, Smoke
Hoop Diving Various Individual Hoops
Hoop Rolling Various Individual Wooden hoop
Hoop Trundling United Kingdom Individual Wooden hoop, stick
Hoopball USA 2 teams of 5 players Ball, hoops
Hoops Various 2-4 players Hoops, balls
Hopak Ukraine Solo/Group None
Hopscotch Unknown 1+ players Chalk, markers
Hora Racing Israel 4 Hora, track
Horizontal Bar Germany 1 Horizontal bar
Hornussen Switzerland 2 teams Wooden puck, bat
Horse Archery Mongolia 1 Horse, bow and arrow
Horse Ball France 4 per team Horse, Ball
Horse Driving Trials United Kingdom 1 driver, 1-4 horses Carriage, Harness
Horse Polo Argentina 4 Horse, mallet, ball
Horse Pulling United States 2 Horse, sled
Horse Racing United Kingdom 2+ horses, 1 jockey per horse Horse, Saddle
Horse Surfing United States 1 rider, 1 horse Surfboard, Harness
Horse Vaulting Germany 1 Horse, vaulting equipment
Horse Wrestling Various 2 Horses, wrestlers
Horseball France 4 per team Ball, Horses
Horsemanship Various Individual Horses, riding equipment
Horseracing United Kingdom 1 Horse, jockey, racetrack
Horseshoe Pitching United States 2 or more Horseshoes
Horseshoes USA 2+ players Metal horseshoes, stakes
Hoverboard Racing Various Individual Hoverboard
Hovercraft Racing United Kingdom 1-2 Hovercraft
Human Curling Various 2 teams Curling stones, people
Human Foosball United States 2 teams of 5-6 players each Goals, field
Human Hamster Ball USA 1 player per ball Inflatable ball
Human Pyramid India Varies None
Human Slingshot Various Individual Harness, slingshot
Hunted UK 1 hunter, 1+ runners None
Hurling Ireland 2 teams of 15 Hurley Stick, Sliotar
Hyder Handball Norway 2 teams of 7 players Ball, goals
Hydro-Jet Racing United States 1 Hydro-jet
Hydrofoil Racing United States 1 Hydrofoil Boat
Hydroplane Racing United States 1 Hydroplane Boat
Hyksos Polo Ancient Egypt 2 teams Horses, Mallets
Hyperball Various 2 teams Inflatable ball

Descriptions

Hacki Sack
A game where players keep a small foot-bag in the air using only their feet, legs, and other parts of the body except their hands.
Hacky Sack
A game where players keep a small beanbag-like object, known as a ‘hacky sack’, in the air by kicking, punching, or heading it.
Hacky Sack Footbag
A game where players kick a small leather or fabric bag filled with beads or sand, keeping it off the ground for as long as possible.
Hammer Throw
An athletic field event in which an iron ball attached to a wire cable is thrown for distance.
Handball
A team sport in which players pass a ball with their hands to throw it into the goal of the opposing team. Played professionally and in the Olympics.
Handball Volleyball
A variant of indoor volleyball played with a smaller ball and a lower net, emphasizing handwork and fast-paced gameplay.
Hang Gliding
An air sport in which pilots launch from hills or mountains and fly using the natural lift of air currents. Requires skill and daring to control the unpowered aircraft.
Hardball Cricket
A bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a pitch with the objective of scoring runs by hitting a bowled ball with a bat and running between two sets of small posts called wickets.
Hare and Hounds
A cross-country running game in which some participants, known as ‘hounds’, pursue others, known as ‘hares’, who have been given a head start to drop paper ‘scent’ for the hounds to follow.
Harmaa Kettu
A traditional Finnish winter sport where two teams compete in a relay race on snowshoes through the forest.
Harness Racing
A form of horse racing in which Standardbred horses pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky.
Harpastum
An ancient Roman ball game similar to a early version of football or rugby, played between two teams trying to get the ball over the opposing team’s goal line.
Harquebus Shooting
A historical shooting sport using the harquebus, an early type of firearm developed in the 15th century.
Hashi
A coordination-based game where players use chopstick-like sticks to transfer objects from one platform to another.
Hawk-Bat
A ball sport similar to cricket, played with a bat and a small, soft ball that can be hit in the air.
Hayarigumi
A traditional Japanese team sport similar to tug-of-war, where two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope.
Head Tennis
A variant of tennis where players use only their heads to hit the ball back and forth over a net.
Head-to-Head Curling
A variation of curling where two players, one from each team, take turns delivering stones, with the goal of having their stone closest to the center of the house.
Headis
A sport where players use their heads to hit a small ball back and forth across a table tennis-style net.
Headrace
A whitewater kayaking competition where paddlers race through a narrow, fast-moving section of a river.
Heavyweight Boxing
The highest weight class in professional boxing, with no weight limit.
Heli-Skiing
A form of backcountry skiing where skiers are transported to remote, ungroomed slopes by helicopter.
Hellenic Croquet
A version of croquet played on a smaller court with special rules and scoring, originating in Greece.
Helly Hansen Cup
An annual regatta for sailing boats in Norway, featuring the Helly Hansen brand as the title sponsor.
Helter Skelter Racing
A sled racing sport where competitors race down a spiral-shaped track, similar to a twisting slide.
Heptathlon
A combined event in athletics consisting of seven track and field disciplines contested over two consecutive days, featuring different running, jumping, and throwing events.
Herb Lund Canoe Race
An annual canoeing competition on the Winnipeg River in Manitoba, Canada.
Herbathlon
An ancient Greek sport that combined archery with footraces and other athletic events.
High Altitude Mountaineering
The sport of climbing to the highest elevations on Earth, often involving technical rock, snow, and ice climbing.
High Jump
An athletics field event in which competitors must jump over a horizontal bar placed at measured heights without the aid of certain devices. Requires speed, skill, and flexibility.
High Jumping
An athletics field event in which competitors must jump over a horizontal bar placed at measured heights without the aid of stairs or a platform.
High Kick
A martial arts technique and competitive sport where participants attempt to kick a target suspended at a high height.
High Striker
A carnival game where a participant strikes a lever with a mallet to make a weight climb and strike a bell.
Highball
A target game where players throw a ball through a raised hoop, similar to basketball but with a larger hoop.
Highland Games
A traditional Scottish sporting event held in spring and summer, featuring athletic competitions and cultural exhibits related to the Highlands.
Hikaru Genji Cup
A form of football played in Japan using a ball that leaves a trail of light when hit.
Hill Billiards
A variation of pool played on an inclined table, requiring players to account for the slope when making shots.
Hill Climb
A motorsport event held on short paved roads, where drivers compete against the clock to complete a climb.
Hill Climb Racing
A motorsport event where drivers compete against the clock to complete a course going up a hill or mountain road as quickly as possible.
Hill Climbing
A bicycle racing event that takes place on very steep inclines, often paved roads winding through hilly or mountainous terrain. Requires extreme effort and endurance.
Hill Skipping
A traditional British sport where participants jump over a rope while running up and down a hill.
Hillclimbing
A speed competition in which automobiles or motorcycles compete individually to complete a paved road course featuring one or more steep inclines as quickly as possible.
Hillside Golf
A form of golf played on a course with steep hills, challenging players to navigate the uneven terrain.
Hilltop Soccer
A variant of soccer played on a sloping or hilly field, requiring players to adapt their techniques to the uneven terrain.
Hink Pint
A traditional English rhyming game where players take turns asking and answering riddles.
Hinkypunk
A field game similar to field hockey, played with a small, light ball and simplified rules.
Hinnominee
A traditional Native American ball game played with a small, hard ball and two-handed, curved sticks used to catch, carry, and throw the ball.
Hippo Polo
A unique variation of polo played on the backs of hippopotamuses in Zimbabwe.
Hippodrome Racing
An ancient Greek racetrack for horse and chariot racing, featuring a long, straight track with turns at each end. Considered one of the earliest forms of organized sports.
Historic Racing
A form of motorsport involving the racing of veteran, vintage, and historic automobiles, often recreating famous races from the past for enthusiasts and spectators.
Hobart Cup
A major thoroughbred horse race held annually in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Hobby Horse
A children’s game in which participants ride on a ‘hobby horse’, a toy consisting of a stick with a horse’s head attached to one end. Developed in Finland in the 19th century.
Hobie Cat Racing
A sailing sport involving the racing of Hobie Cat catamarans, known for their speed and agility.
Hockey
A team sport in which two opposing teams use sticks to hit a ball or puck into the other team’s goal. Includes field hockey, ice hockey, and other variants.
Hockeyball
A team sport combining elements of hockey and soccer, played with a small, hard ball and hockey-style sticks.
Hockeycross
Fast-paced variant of field hockey played on a smaller court with two teams trying to score by hitting the ball into the opponent’s goal.
Hoffmann-Schlag
A German racket sport similar to badminton, played with a lightweight wooden bat and a cork-filled leather ball.
Hog Hunting
The sport of hunting feral hogs, often considered an invasive species in many parts of the US.
Hog Snout Throwing
A traditional American rural sport where participants compete to see who can throw a dried hog snout the farthest.
Hogsback Mountain Bike Challenge
A grueling mountain bike race held annually in South Africa, featuring challenging terrain and steep climbs.
Hollow Water Canoe Race
A canoe race held in Manitoba, Canada, that challenges participants to navigate the turbulent waters of the Hollow Water River.
Holmenkollen Ski Festival
An annual ski festival in Oslo, Norway, featuring cross-country skiing, biathlon, and ski jumping events.
Holtey Bowling
A variant of bowling played with a smaller ball and fewer pins, often in a pub or social setting.
Honey Hunting
The traditional practice of harvesting honey from wild honeybee colonies in the cliffs of Nepal.
Hoop Diving
An acrobatic performance art where a person jumps through one or more hoops, often in a gymnastic or aerial routine.
Hoop Rolling
A traditional children’s game where participants race to see who can keep a wooden hoop rolling for the longest distance.
Hoop Trundling
A traditional British game where players use a stick to roll a wooden hoop along the ground, trying to keep it upright and moving.
Hoopball
A team sport played on a court with elevated hoops, similar to basketball but with a larger ball.
Hoops
A game where players attempt to throw or roll a ball through a raised hoop, similar to basketball but without a backboard.
Hopak
A traditional Ukrainian folk dance characterized by squatting, leaping, and high kicks.
Hopscotch
A traditional children’s game where players hop through a series of squares drawn on the ground, often using a small stone or marker.
Hora Racing
A racing sport where competitors ride a wooden, sled-like device called a hora around a track.
Horizontal Bar
A gymnastics event where athletes perform acrobatic routines on a suspended metal bar.
Hornussen
A traditional Swiss sport where players use a long, flexible stick to hit a wooden puck (called a ‘Schindel’) as far as possible across a field.
Horse Archery
An equestrian sport where mounted archers shoot arrows at targets while galloping on horseback.
Horse Ball
A team sport played on horseback, similar to a combination of polo, rugby, and basketball.
Horse Driving Trials
A competitive equestrian event where drivers are judged on their ability to control a horse-drawn carriage through a series of obstacles.
Horse Polo
A team sport played on horseback, where players use mallets to hit a ball through the opposing team’s goal.
Horse Pulling
A competition where teams of draft horses pull a heavily-loaded sled or sledge as far as possible.
Horse Racing
The sport of racing horses, typically involving betting and fan spectators.
Horse Surfing
An extreme sport where a person rides a surfboard while being pulled by a galloping horse along a beach.
Horse Vaulting
An equestrian sport where gymnasts perform acrobatic exercises on the back of a moving horse.
Horse Wrestling
A traditional sporting event where two competitors, each riding a horse, attempt to pull the other rider off their horse.
Horseball
A team sport played on horseback, combining elements of rugby, basketball, and polo. Players score points by passing and shooting a ball through a hoop.
Horsemanship
The skill and practice of riding, training, and caring for horses, often as part of equestrian competitions and demonstrations.
Horseracing
A sport where horses are ridden at high speeds to compete in races on a defined course.
Horseshoe Pitching
A game in which players take turns throwing horseshoes at a stake in the ground, trying to get the horseshoe as close to the stake as possible or to encircle it.
Horseshoes
A game where players take turns throwing horseshoes at a stake in the ground, trying to get the horseshoe as close as possible.
Hoverboard Racing
A futuristic sport where participants race on personal hovering devices, often over water or other obstacles.
Hovercraft Racing
A competitive motorized sport involving racing specialized vehicles that use a cushion of air to glide over a surface, typically water or land.
Human Curling
A variation of curling where people, rather than stones, are used as the sliding objects, and are pushed or ‘delivered’ down the ice by their teammates.
Human Foosball
A variant of table football played on a full-size field with players attached to poles, mimicking the movements of a table foosball game.
Human Hamster Ball
A game where participants climb inside large, transparent plastic or inflatable balls and roll or bounce around.
Human Pyramid
A performance or exhibition in which a group of people stack themselves on top of each other, creating a towering structure. Requires strength, balance, and coordination.
Human Slingshot
An extreme sport where participants are strapped into a large, elastic slingshot and launched high into the air, often over water or other obstacles.
Hunted
A game where one player, the ‘hunter’, tries to catch and tag the other player(s), the ‘runners’, who must evade capture.
Hurling
A traditional Irish sport in which two teams use wooden sticks called hurleys to hit a small ball called a sliotar between the opposing team’s goalposts.
Hyder Handball
A variation of handball with a larger, softer ball and slightly different rules, emphasizing continuous play and passing.
Hydro-Jet Racing
A powerboat racing sport where specially-designed, jet-powered boats compete on a water course.
Hydrofoil Racing
A competitive water sport in which boats equipped with hydrofoils, underwater wing-like structures, are raced at high speeds over a course, aiming to reach the highest possible speeds.
Hydroplane Racing
A type of speedboat racing where specialized boats with a planing hull are raced at high speeds over a designated course, often on lakes or other bodies of water.
Hyksos Polo
An ancient Egyptian sport similar to modern polo, played by the Hyksos people who ruled parts of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period.
Hyperball
A game similar to soccer or volleyball, played with a large, inflatable ball that is propelled through the air using fans or blowers.

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