There are 123 sports that start with the letter J. From Ja-Do to Juvenile Boxing. 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 J

Sports origin country player count equipment needed
Ja-Do Japan 1v1 Wooden swords
Jab ‘n’ Grab United States 1v1 Boxing gloves
Jabs United States 1 player Boxing gloves
Jaccobe Ethiopia 2 players None
Jackaroo Challenge Australia 2 None
Jacket Wrestling Russia 2 players Jacket, shorts
Jacks United States 2-4 players Small rubber ball, ‘jacks’ (small metal or plastic objects)
Jackstraws China 2 or more Sticks or straws
Jacquard Loom Racing France 2+ Jacquard loom, stopwatch
Jaffna Cricket Sri Lanka 2 teams of 11 players each Cricket bat, ball, wickets
Jaguar Hunting Brazil 1 Spear, knife
Jailalai Spain 2 teams of 2-4 players each Ball, racket
Jal-Tarang India 1 player Water-filled bowls
Jalap Mexico 1-2 Jalap plant
Jallikattu India Many players Bull, rope
Jallikattu Bull Taming India 1 participant, 1 bull None
Jalmaraton Finland 1 None
Jambiya Fighting Yemen 2 players Jambiya (curved dagger)
Janerio Brazil 2-4 None
Jango Brazil 2 Jango (type of stilts)
Janken Japan 2 players None
Japanese Archery Japan 1 player Bow, arrow
Japanese Archery (Kyudo) Japan 1+ Bow, arrows
Japanese Bamboo Crafting Japan 1+ Bamboo, tools
Japanese Chess (Shogi) Japan 2 Shogi board and pieces
Japanese Drum (Taiko) Drumming Japan Group Taiko drums
Japanese Drumming (Taiko) Japan 1+ Taiko drums
Japanese Kendama Japan Individual Kendama (wooden cup-and-ball toy)
Japanese Sumo Wrestling Japan 2 None
Japanese Sword Fighting Japan 2 players Sword (usually a wooden practice sword)
Japonisme Japan 1 or more players Brush, ink, paper
Jardi Polo Spain 4 Mallets, ball
Jaring Indonesia 2+ Jaring (traditional fishing net)
Jart Throwing United States 1 or more players Jarts (lawn darts)
Jarts (Lawn Darts) Canada 2 or more Lawn darts
Jarung Anom Indonesia 2 None
Javelin Catching Greece 2+ Javelin
Javelin Golf Various 1 player Javelin, targets
Javelin Throw Ancient Greece 1 player Javelin
Javelin Throwing Ancient Greece Individual Javelin
Jaz Iran 2 players Ball, goal posts
Jebb Iran 2 players Ball, goal posts
Jebel Running Saudi Arabia 1 None
Jeepney Racing Philippines 2+ Jeepney vehicle
Jenga United Kingdom 2+ Wooden blocks
Jet Ball United States 2 Ball, jet propulsion system
Jet Boat Racing United States 2 per boat Jet boat, life jackets
Jet Pack Racing United Kingdom 1+ Jet pack
Jet Ski Freestyle United States Individual Jet ski
Jet Ski Racing United States 1 player per jet ski Jet ski
Jet Skiing United States 1 per watercraft Jet ski, life jacket
Jet Surfing Various 1 Jet-powered surfboard
Jet Taxi Racing Various 2 Jet-powered boat
Jet Turbine Powered Car Racing Various 1 Jet-powered car
Jetpack Polo Various 2 teams Jetpacks, ball
Jetski Ballet Various Solo Jetski
Jetty Jumping Australia 1+ None
Jeu de Boules France 2 or more players Boules
Jeu de Paume France 2 players Racket, ball
Jeu de Quilles France 2 or more players Wooden pins, ball
Jewel Hunting Various 1+ Tools for mining/excavating
Jian Shu China 1v1 Double-edged sword
Jianbing China 2 or more players Ball, net
Jianzi China 2 or more players Shuttlecock (jianzi)
Jiaozi Eating Contest China Individual participants None
Jiaruzi China 2 or more players Ball, net
Jigsaw Puzzle Racing United Kingdom 2 or more teams Jigsaw puzzles
Jinx United States 2+ None
Jiujitsu Japan 2 opponents None
Jiujitsu Submission Japan 2 None
Jogging United Kingdom 1+ Running shoes
Joggling United States 1 player Juggling objects
Joggling Relay United States Teams of 2-4 players Juggling objects
Jokgu South Korea 2 teams of 6-8 players Volleyball-like ball
Jotun Wrestling Norway 2 players None
Joust Europe 2 opponents Lances, horses, armor
Jousting Medieval Europe 2 players Lances, horses, armor
Jousting Duel United Kingdom 2 Lances, horses
Jousting Equestrian Europe 2 Horse, lance
Jousting Relay Medieval Europe Teams of 2-4 players Lances, horses, armor
Ju-Jitsu Japan 2 None
Judo Japan 2 players Judogi (uniform)
Judo Demonstration Japan 2+ None
Judo Grappling Japan 2 players None
Judo Randori Japan 2 players None
Judo Throwing Japan 2 players None
Jujitsu Japan 2 players None
Jujitsu Grappling Japan 2 players None
Jujitsu Kumite Japan 2 players None
Jujitsu Sparring Japan 2 None
Jujitsu Throwing Japan 2 players None
Jukendo Japan 2 players Wooden rifle, armor
Jukendo Kai Japan 2+ Wooden rifle, target
Jukendo Kumite Japan 2 players Wooden rifle, armor
Jum-Jum Gambia 2+ None
Jump Rope United States 1+ Jump rope
Jumping Box Various 1 player Box or platform
Jumping Frog Various 1 or more players Frog-shaped objects
Jumping Frogs United States 2+ Wooden frogs
Jumping Jack Various 1 player None
Jumping Lunge Various 1 player None
Jumping Rope Various 1 or more players Rope
Jumping Snowshoes Canada 1+ Snowshoes
Jumping Squat Various 1 player None
Jumping Stilts China 1 player Jumping stilts
Jumping the Broom Various 2 players Broom
Jumping the Hurdles Ancient Greece 1 player Hurdles
Jumpstick South Africa 2 players Wooden sticks
Jungle Ball Various 2 teams Ball
Jungle Bowling Various 2+ Bowling pins, ball
Jungle Frisbee Various 2+ Frisbee
Jungle Golf Various 1+ Golf clubs, ball
Jungle Laser Tag Various 2+ teams Laser tag equipment
Jungle Paintball Various 2+ teams Paintball markers, protective gear
Jungle Pong Thailand 2 Paddles, net
Jungle Survival Race Various Individual None
Jungle Treasure Hunt Various 1+ None
Jungle Volleyball Various 2 teams Volleyball, net
Junkyard Golf United States 2+ Golf clubs, ball
Junkyard Jousting United States 2 Junk vehicles, lances
Junkyard Sumo United States 2 Sumo wrestling gear
Jutanugarn Thailand 2 None
Juvenile Boxing United States 1v1 Boxing gloves

Descriptions

Ja-Do
A Japanese martial art combining elements of kendo and judo, using strikes, grapples, and throws with bamboo swords.
Jab ‘n’ Grab
A boxing-based game where players score points by landing quick jabs on their opponent’s chest or shoulders.
Jabs
A defensive boxing technique where the boxer quickly extends their lead hand to land a strike on the opponent’s face or upper body.
Jaccobe
A traditional Ethiopian stick-throwing sport where two opponents attempt to strike each other with wooden sticks.
Jackaroo Challenge
A rural sports competition featuring skills like sheep shearing, wood chopping, and horseback riding, celebrating the culture of Australian ranch hands.
Jacket Wrestling
A style of wrestling where opponents wear jackets and use them to grip and throw each other to the ground.
Jacks
A classic playground game where players bounce a ball and quickly pick up ‘jacks’ scattered on the ground before catching the bouncing ball.
Jackstraws
A game where players try to remove individual ‘jackstraws’ from a pile without disturbing the others. The player who removes the most jackstraws without causing the pile to collapse wins.
Jacquard Loom Racing
A competitive race to see who can operate a Jacquard loom the fastest, producing intricate woven patterns.
Jaffna Cricket
A variant of cricket played in the Jaffna peninsula of Sri Lanka, with a focus on spin bowling and defensive batting.
Jaguar Hunting
A traditional hunting practice of the indigenous Amazonian tribes, tracking and killing jaguars for food and fur.
Jailalai
A variant of jai alai played in Spanish prisons, with a smaller court and modified rules to accommodate the limited space.
Jal-Tarang
A traditional Indian musical instrument that involves striking water-filled bowls with wooden mallets to produce melodic tones.
Jalap
A traditional Mexican sport where participants jump or leap over the jalap plant in a competitive manner. It tests the agility and coordination of the players.
Jallikattu
A traditional Tamil sport where participants attempt to tame and ride wild bulls, testing their strength and agility.
Jallikattu Bull Taming
A traditional sport in Tamil Nadu, India, where participants attempt to tame and ride a bucking bull, demonstrating their strength and agility.
Jalmaraton
An ultra-marathon race where participants run around a frozen lake in Lapland, Finland, testing their endurance in the harsh Arctic conditions.
Jambiya Fighting
A traditional Yemeni martial art that involves the skillful use of the jambiya, a distinctive curved dagger, in close-quarters combat.
Janerio
A traditional Brazilian game where players toss a small ball through a hoop suspended from a pole, requiring precision and strategy to score points.
Jango
A Brazilian folk game played on long wooden stilts, requiring balance and coordination to navigate obstacle courses or challenge other players.
Janken
Also known as ‘rock-paper-scissors,’ a hand game where players simultaneously choose one of three hand gestures, with the winner determined by a simple set of rules.
Japanese Archery
A traditional form of archery practiced in Japan, emphasizing precision, focus, and the ceremonial aspects of the sport.
Japanese Archery (Kyudo)
A martial art form of archery in Japan that emphasizes mental focus, spiritual development, and the execution of a perfect shot.
Japanese Bamboo Crafting
The art of creating intricate and functional objects, such as baskets, vases, and furniture, using traditional techniques and locally sourced bamboo.
Japanese Chess (Shogi)
A strategy board game similar to Western chess, but with unique rules and a larger board. Players aim to capture the opponent’s ‘king’ piece.
Japanese Drum (Taiko) Drumming
A form of ensemble drumming originating from Japan, featuring large, dynamic drums played with choreographed movements and rhythms.
Japanese Drumming (Taiko)
A dynamic and rhythmic form of group drumming that originated in Japan, often performed as part of festivals and cultural celebrations.
Japanese Kendama
A traditional Japanese skill toy that involves catching a small ball on the end of a string connected to a wooden base with various ‘cups’ and a spike.
Japanese Sumo Wrestling
A traditional Japanese full-contact wrestling sport where two competitors attempt to push each other out of a circular ring or force the opponent to touch the ground with any part of the body other than the soles of the feet.
Japanese Sword Fighting
A collective term for various traditional Japanese sword-based martial arts, including kendo, iaido, and naginata.
Japonisme
A style of Japanese art and design that influenced Western art in the late 19th century, often incorporating elements of traditional Japanese aesthetics.
Jardi Polo
A variant of polo played on a smaller field using a rubber ball instead of a wooden one. It originated in the gardens of Spanish nobility.
Jaring
An ancient Indonesian fishing technique using a large, circular hand-cast net to catch fish in shallow waters.
Jart Throwing
A lawn game where players attempt to throw metal-tipped darts, called ‘jarts,’ into a target or designated landing area.
Jarts (Lawn Darts)
A game where players throw large, weighted darts at a target on the ground, aiming to land the darts as close to the center as possible.
Jarung Anom
A traditional Indonesian martial art that involves a series of fluid, acrobatic movements and kicks. It emphasizes balance, flexibility, and control.
Javelin Catching
An athletic event where participants attempt to catch a thrown javelin, testing their reaction time and hand-eye coordination.
Javelin Golf
A sport that combines elements of golf and javelin throwing, where participants attempt to hit targets or land the javelin as close as possible to a designated spot.
Javelin Throw
An athletic event in which a long, spear-like implement (the javelin) is thrown as far as possible.
Javelin Throwing
An athletics event where competitors throw a long, spear-like implement called a javelin as far as possible while complying with strict form and safety regulations.
Jaz
A traditional Iranian ball game where players attempt to kick a ball through elevated goal posts using only their head and chest.
Jebb
A traditional Iranian sport similar to football (soccer), where players use their heads and chests to control and pass the ball.
Jebel Running
An extreme endurance race where participants run up and down the steep slopes of the Jebel Akhdar mountain range in Oman, testing their physical and mental limits.
Jeepney Racing
A popular form of public transportation in the Philippines that has been adapted into a racing sport, testing the driver’s skill and the vehicle’s performance.
Jenga
A game where players take turns removing wooden blocks from a tower and placing them on top, testing their dexterity and stability.
Jet Ball
A futuristic sport where players use handheld jet propulsion devices to maneuver a ball through the air, attempting to score goals.
Jet Boat Racing
A high-speed water sport where participants race modified jet-powered boats on designated courses, often on rivers or lakes. Requires skilled boat handling and navigation to navigate tight turns and obstacles at speeds up to 150 mph.
Jet Pack Racing
A competition where participants use specialized jet packs to race against each other through an obstacle course.
Jet Ski Freestyle
A water sport where riders perform various acrobatic maneuvers and stunts on personal watercraft, often in competition.
Jet Ski Racing
A high-speed water sport where participants race personal watercraft (PWCs) on enclosed circuits or open water.
Jet Skiing
A personal watercraft sport where riders operate small, fast, and highly maneuverable motorized vehicles on water. Involves performing jumps, spins, and other stunts, as well as racing on closed circuits or open waterways.
Jet Surfing
A water sport where riders use a jet-powered surfboard to propel themselves across the water, performing tricks and high-speed maneuvers.
Jet Taxi Racing
A high-speed boat racing event where participants compete in specialized jet-powered taxis, showcasing their skills and the power of the vehicles.
Jet Turbine Powered Car Racing
A motorsport where custom-built cars powered by jet turbine engines compete in high-speed races, pushing the limits of engineering and performance.
Jetpack Polo
A fast-paced aerial sport where players use jetpacks to fly and maneuver a ball, trying to score goals against the opposing team.
Jetski Ballet
A performance-based water sport where jetski riders choreograph and execute synchronized, graceful movements on the water.
Jetty Jumping
A recreational activity where people jump off jetties, piers, or platforms into the water below, testing their nerve and bravery.
Jeu de Boules
A family of ball sports, including petanque and bocce, where players take turns throwing or rolling steel balls as close as possible to a smaller target ball.
Jeu de Paume
An early form of tennis played with the bare hand or a glove, which eventually led to the development of modern tennis.
Jeu de Quilles
A French bowling-like game where players attempt to knock down a set of upright wooden pins by rolling a ball.
Jewel Hunting
A treasure-hunting activity where participants search for and recover valuable gemstones, minerals, or other precious objects buried in the ground.
Jian Shu
A Chinese martial art focused on the use of the jian, a double-edged straight sword, featuring fluid movements and precise strikes.
Jianbing
A traditional Chinese game where players use their hands, heads, and feet to keep a weighted shuttlecock-like object in the air, similar to jianzi.
Jianzi
A traditional Chinese sport where players keep a weighted shuttlecock (jianzi) in the air using their feet, legs, chest, and head, but not their hands.
Jiaozi Eating Contest
A competitive eating event where participants attempt to consume as many dumplings (jiaozi) as possible within a set time frame.
Jiaruzi
A traditional Chinese sport similar to volleyball, where players use their hands, arms, and upper bodies to hit a ball over a net.
Jigsaw Puzzle Racing
A timed race where teams compete to assemble a jigsaw puzzle as quickly as possible, testing their visual-spatial skills and teamwork.
Jinx
A game where players attempt to ‘jinx’ each other by simultaneously saying the same word or phrase, forcing the slower player to remain silent until the other says their name.
Jiujitsu
A Japanese martial art and self-defense system that emphasizes grappling and throwing techniques. Practitioners use an opponent’s force against them, focusing on joint locks, pins, and throws to subdue the adversary.
Jiujitsu Submission
A Japanese martial art focused on grappling, throwing, and submission techniques. It emphasizes using an opponent’s force against them to gain the advantage.
Jogging
The act of running at a moderate speed for exercise or leisure, often used as a form of cardiovascular training.
Joggling
A combination of jogging and juggling, where a person runs while continuously juggling three or more objects.
Joggling Relay
A relay race where team members take turns running while continuously juggling three or more objects, passing the items to the next runner without dropping them.
Jokgu
A Korean sport similar to volleyball, where players use their feet, chest, and head to hit a ball over a net.
Jotun Wrestling
A traditional Norwegian style of wrestling where opponents try to push, pull, and throw each other to the ground using various techniques.
Joust
A combat sport where two opponents on horseback charge at each other with lances, attempting to knock the other off their horse. Developed as a training exercise for medieval knights, jousting became a popular spectator sport in the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods.
Jousting
A martial game or hastilude in which two opponents on horseback attempt to score points by breaking their lances on each other’s shields or armor.
Jousting Duel
A one-on-one version of jousting, where two knights on horseback charge at each other, trying to unseat their opponent with a well-aimed lance strike.
Jousting Equestrian
A medieval sport where two knights on horseback charge at each other with lances, attempting to knock the opponent off their horse.
Jousting Relay
A relay race where team members take turns riding on horseback and attempting to strike a target or opponent with a lance, passing the lance to the next rider without dropping it.
Ju-Jitsu
A Japanese martial art focused on throwing, grappling, and submission techniques, often practiced as a competitive sport.
Judo
A Japanese martial art and Olympic sport that focuses on throwing, grappling, and submission techniques to subdue an opponent.
Judo Demonstration
A martial art demonstration that showcases the techniques and principles of judo, such as throws, pins, and submissions, without direct competition.
Judo Grappling
The grappling and ground-fighting techniques used in the Japanese martial art of judo, where opponents try to subdue each other through holds, locks, and submissions.
Judo Randori
The free-practice or sparring component of judo, where practitioners engage in unrestricted grappling and throwing techniques to improve their skills and technique.
Judo Throwing
A specialized aspect of judo that focuses on the execution of various throwing techniques to overcome an opponent.
Jujitsu
A Japanese martial art that involves a variety of throws, locks, and strikes to overcome an opponent without the use of weapons.
Jujitsu Grappling
The grappling and ground-fighting techniques used in the Japanese martial art of jujitsu, emphasizing joint locks, throws, and submissions to overcome an opponent.
Jujitsu Kumite
A sparring or competitive aspect of jujitsu where practitioners engage in simulated combat, testing their techniques and strategies against each other.
Jujitsu Sparring
A Japanese martial art that involves controlled, non-competitive sparring sessions to improve technique, timing, and strategic thinking.
Jujitsu Throwing
A specialized aspect of jujitsu that involves the use of throwing, grappling, and submission techniques to overcome an opponent.
Jukendo
A modern Japanese martial art that involves fighting with a wooden rifle-like weapon called a fukuro-shinai, emphasizing precision and discipline.
Jukendo Kai
A Japanese martial art that involves the use of a wooden rifle-like weapon, emphasizing precise movements, footwork, and mental discipline.
Jukendo Kumite
The sparring or competitive aspect of jukendo, where practitioners engage in simulated combat using the wooden rifle-like fukuro-shinai weapon.
Jum-Jum
A traditional Gambian game where players take turns jumping over a rope, testing their agility and coordination.
Jump Rope
An exercise where a person or group of people jump over a rope that is swung in a circular motion, testing their coordination and endurance.
Jumping Box
An exercise where the participant jumps up onto and over a raised platform or box, testing their lower body strength and power.
Jumping Frog
A game where participants make small, frog-like toy figures ‘jump’ the farthest distance possible, often as part of a contest.
Jumping Frogs
A game where participants race small, wooden frog figurines by making them jump the farthest distance, inspired by the classic short story ‘The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County’.
Jumping Jack
A common exercise where the participant jumps from a standing position with feet together to a position with feet apart, then back to the original position.
Jumping Lunge
A variation of the traditional lunge exercise where the participant jumps up and switches the position of their legs mid-air before landing in a lunge position.
Jumping Rope
A simple fitness activity where one or more participants jump over a rope that is swung in an arc beneath their feet.
Jumping Snowshoes
A winter sport where participants use modified snowshoes with built-in springs to leap and bound over snow, combining elements of skiing and gymnastics.
Jumping Squat
A plyometric exercise where the participant performs a deep squat and then explosively jumps up, fully extending the legs before landing and repeating the movement.
Jumping Stilts
A recreational activity where participants wear mechanical leg extensions that allow them to take high, powerful jumps.
Jumping the Broom
A traditional wedding ritual where the couple jumps over a broom to symbolize the start of their new life together.
Jumping the Hurdles
A track and field event in which athletes sprint over a series of upright obstacles, called hurdles, arranged at set distances.
Jumpstick
A traditional South African game where two opponents use long wooden sticks to try to knock each other’s feet off the ground.
Jungle Ball
A fast-paced team sport played in a jungle or forest setting, using natural terrain and obstacles to challenge players.
Jungle Bowling
An outdoor variant of bowling, where players use natural elements like rocks or fallen branches as ‘pins’ and roll a ball to knock them down.
Jungle Frisbee
A disc-throwing game played in a jungle or forest environment, with players navigating obstacles and uneven terrain to catch and throw the Frisbee.
Jungle Golf
An unconventional golf game played in a jungle or wilderness setting, with makeshift ‘holes’ and natural hazards challenging players.
Jungle Laser Tag
An outdoor laser tag game set in a jungle or forested area, adding elements of camouflage, stealth, and environmental obstacles to the experience.
Jungle Paintball
A paintball game played in a jungle or forest setting, with players using the natural terrain and vegetation for cover and ambushes.
Jungle Pong
A variation of table tennis played in outdoor jungle settings, using a makeshift net and paddles made from local materials.
Jungle Survival Race
A competitive endurance event where participants navigate through a jungle, testing their wilderness survival skills, navigation, and physical stamina.
Jungle Treasure Hunt
A scavenger hunt-style activity in a jungle setting, where players search for hidden treasures, artifacts, or markers using clues and exploration.
Jungle Volleyball
A variation of volleyball played on uneven, natural terrain in a jungle or forest environment, adding an extra challenge to the game.
Junkyard Golf
A mini-golf course constructed from recycled and repurposed materials, creating a unique and challenging golfing experience.
Junkyard Jousting
A competitive event where participants on modified junk vehicles charge at each other, attempting to knock their opponent off their vehicle using long lances or other improvised weapons.
Junkyard Sumo
A sumo wrestling-inspired sport played in a junkyard setting, where participants in bulky protective gear try to push or throw each other out of a makeshift ring.
Jutanugarn
A traditional Thai sport where two players attempt to kick a weighted ball through a goal post, requiring accuracy and leg strength.
Juvenile Boxing
A form of amateur boxing competition for young participants, emphasizing safety, skill development, and sportsmanship.

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