There are 72 sports that start with the letter N. From Nagaland Boxing to Nutcracker Ballet. 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 N

Sports origin country player count equipment needed
Nagaland Boxing India 5 per team Boxing gloves, protective gear
Nail Shooting United States 2 competitors Nail gun, target
Nailbiting United Kingdom 1 none
Namakharan India 2 competitors Rope, sand
Name Dropping United Kingdom 2 competitors None
Nanbudo Japan 2 competitors None
Nanjing Noodle Pulling China 2 competitors Noodle dough, counter space
Nantipolo Philippines 2 bamboo pole, net
Napping Global 1 participant Comfortable surface
Narcolepsy Surfing Global 1 participant Surfboard
Narwhal Tusk Jousting Arctic regions 2 competitors Narwhal tusks
Narwhal Tusk Throwing Greenland 1-2 narwhal tusk
Nat Geo Photographers’ Race Global Teams of 2 Camera gear
National Cornhole Championship United States 2 or 4 players Cornhole boards, bags
Natto Eating Contest Japan Individual Natto (fermented soybeans)
Nautical Knot Tying Global Individual Rope, objects to tie around
Neck Endurance Russia 1 none
Needle Hockey Needle-Felting Net Ball Net Throwing
Needle Threading Global Individual Needle, thread
Nerfball Basketball United States 2 teams of 5 Nerf balls, basketball hoop
Nerfgun Accuracy Challenge Global Individual Nerf gun, targets
Nerfgun Biathlon Global Individual Nerf gun, targets, skis
Net Catching Global 2 competitors Fishing net
Net Climbing United States 2+ climbing equipment
Net Fishing Global Individual Fishing net, boat
Netball Global 2 teams of 7 Netball, court
Netgun Capturing Global Individual Netgun, targets
New Age Curling Global 4 players per team Curling stones, brooms
New Zealander Haka Challenge New Zealand Team of 15-20 None
Newborn Crawling Race Global Individual None
Newspaper Delivery United States Individual Newspapers, bicycle
Newspaper Relay Japan 2+ teams newspapers
Newspaper Toss Global Individual Newspapers
Newspaper Umbrella Twirling Global Individual Newspaper, umbrella
Newspaper Writing Race Global Individual Pen, paper
Newspaper Yoga Global Individual Newspaper, yoga mat
Nichols Noodle Eating United States Individual Noodles, chopsticks
Night Fishing global 1+ fishing rod, bait
Night Golfing Global Individual or team Golf clubs, glow-in-the-dark golf balls
Night Orienteering Global Individual or team Compass, headlamp
Night Skating Canada 1+ roller skates or ice skates
Night Sledding Global Individual or team Sled, headlamp
Night Surfing Global Individual Surfboard, wetsuit, lighting
Night Swimming Global Individual Swimsuit, goggles
Night Trekking Nepal 1+ hiking gear
Night Triathlon Global Individual or team Bicycle, running shoes, swimming gear
Night Volleyball Global 2 teams of 6 Volleyball, court, lighting
Night Walking Global Individual or team Headlamp, sturdy shoes
Ninja Archery Japan Individual Bow, arrows
Ninja Training Japan 1+ specialized equipment
Ninja Warrior Japan Individual Specialized obstacle course
Ninja Yoga Japan Individual Yoga mat
Ninjutsu Japan Individual or team None
Nitro Circus Global Team of stunt performers Motorcycles, BMX bikes, skateboards
Nitro Powered Skateboarding United States 1 nitro-powered skateboard
No Hands Climbing Global Individual Climbing gear
No Limit Texas Hold’em Global 2-10 players Cards, chips
Nocturnal Snowshoeing Global Individual or team Snowshoes, headlamp
Noggin Knocker Australia 2 protective gear
Noodling United States 1-2 none
Nordic Combined Norway Individual Skis, ski jump equipment
Nordic Walking Finland Individual or team Nordic walking poles
Nose Flicking Global 2 competitors None
Nose Picking Global Individual None
Nose Typing Japan 1 computer
Nosedive Skydiving Global Individual Parachute, jumpsuit
Not Your Everyday Sport Global Individual or team Varies
Noughts and Crosses Global 2 players Pen, paper
Nunchaku Spinning Global Individual Nunchaku
Nut Cracking Contest Global Individual Nutcracker, nuts
Nut Tossing Global Individual or team Nuts, targets
Nutcracker Ballet Russia Ensemble Ballet attire, props

Descriptions

Nagaland Boxing
A combat sport from the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland, where boxers compete in a team format with scoring based on points and knockouts.
Nail Shooting
A precision marksmanship sport that involves using a pneumatic nail gun to hit targets at varying distances, testing accuracy and speed.
Nailbiting
A competitive sport where participants try to bite their nails down to the quick in the fastest time possible. Points are awarded for speed, style, and nail length reduction.
Namakharan
A traditional Indian sport where two opponents try to pull each other across a line in the sand using a rope, testing strength and technique.
Name Dropping
A verbal combat sport where participants try to one-up each other by dropping the names of famous people they know, with points awarded for creativity and relevance.
Nanbudo
A Japanese martial art and combat sport focused on defensive techniques, throws, and joint locks, emphasizing harmony and respect between practitioners.
Nanjing Noodle Pulling
A Chinese culinary sport where contestants demonstrate speed and skill in hand-pulling and stretching noodle dough into long, thin strands.
Nantipolo
A traditional sport where two teams use a bamboo pole to knock a ball through a raised net. Requires strategy, agility, and coordination to score points.
Napping
A recreational sport where the goal is to fall asleep as quickly and deeply as possible, with points awarded for duration and quality of rest.
Narcolepsy Surfing
A dangerous extreme sport where individuals with narcolepsy attempt to surf while managing their sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks.
Narwhal Tusk Jousting
A traditional sport from Arctic communities where two opponents charge at each other on snowmobiles, trying to strike their opponent’s narwhal tusk.
Narwhal Tusk Throwing
Participants hurl narrow, spiral-shaped narwhal tusks at a target, aiming for distance and accuracy. This ancient Arctic sport tests strength, precision, and connection to the natural environment.
Nat Geo Photographers’ Race
A competition where teams of photojournalists race to capture the most compelling and newsworthy images on a global scale, with points awarded for creativity and impact.
National Cornhole Championship
A popular lawn game in the United States where players take turns throwing bean bags at a raised, angled platform, trying to get the bags to land in the hole.
Natto Eating Contest
A Japanese competitive eating event where participants try to consume the most servings of the pungent, sticky natto dish in a set time period.
Nautical Knot Tying
A sport that tests one’s dexterity and knowledge of various nautical knots, with competitors racing to tie specific knots quickly and correctly.
Neck Endurance
Competitors lay on their backs and use only their neck muscles to raise and hold their head off the ground for as long as possible. Endurance, core strength, and stamina are crucial.
Needle Hockey
Nettle Weaving
Needle Threading
A dexterity-based competition where participants try to thread a needle as quickly as possible, testing hand-eye coordination and precision.
Nerfball Basketball
A variant of basketball played with soft, foam Nerf balls, emphasizing fun and safety over intense physicality.
Nerfgun Accuracy Challenge
A marksmanship competition where participants use Nerf guns to hit a variety of targets, testing their aim, speed, and reaction time.
Nerfgun Biathlon
A winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and Nerf gun shooting, requiring endurance, marksmanship, and agility.
Net Catching
A sport where two opponents try to catch a thrown object, such as a ball or Frisbee, using a large fishing net, testing hand-eye coordination and timing.
Net Climbing
A sport where participants scale and traverse large cargo nets or obstacle course-style net structures, often suspended several stories above the ground.
Net Fishing
A competitive form of recreational fishing where participants use specialized nets to catch as many fish as possible within a set time frame.
Netball
A team sport similar to basketball, played predominantly by women, where players pass a ball and try to score points by throwing it through a high hoop.
Netgun Capturing
A nonlethal sport where participants use specialized netguns to temporarily immobilize and capture moving targets, such as small animals or drones, without harming them.
New Age Curling
A modern variation of the traditional Scottish sport of curling, incorporating elements of meditation, mindfulness, and holistic wellness into the game.
New Zealander Haka Challenge
A competitive performance art where rugby teams and other groups engage in a traditional M?ori war dance, displaying unity, strength, and cultural pride.
Newborn Crawling Race
A lighthearted competition where newborn babies are placed on a mat and encouraged to crawl the fastest to a finish line, testing their early motor skills and coordination.
Newspaper Delivery
A sport where participants demonstrate their speed and accuracy in delivering newspapers to designated locations, often by bicycle, in a timed competition.
Newspaper Relay
Teams pass a newspaper from one member to the next in a relay, aiming to complete the course the fastest without the newspaper breaking.
Newspaper Toss
A contest where individuals try to throw crumpled-up newspaper articles the farthest distance, testing their arm strength and throwing technique.
Newspaper Umbrella Twirling
A whimsical sport where participants show off their coordination and dexterity by twirling and manipulating an open newspaper attached to an umbrella handle.
Newspaper Writing Race
A competition where writers race against the clock to compose the most well-written and engaging news article on a given topic within a short time frame.
Newspaper Yoga
A unique yoga practice that incorporates the use of newspapers as props, challenging practitioners to balance, contort, and perform poses using the versatile newsprint material.
Nichols Noodle Eating
A competitive eating event where participants try to consume the most bowls of a specific type of noodle dish, such as ramen or lo mein, within a set time limit.
Night Fishing
Fishing in low-light or complete darkness, often done at night or in deep caves, requiring specialized techniques and equipment to locate and catch fish.
Night Golfing
A nocturnal version of golf where players use specially designed glow-in-the-dark golf balls and course markers to play through the darkness, often under the light of the moon.
Night Orienteering
A challenging navigation sport that takes place at night, requiring participants to use a compass and map-reading skills to find their way through unfamiliar terrain.
Night Skating
Skating on outdoor rinks, trails, or pathways at night, often with illumination from streetlights or special event lighting.
Night Sledding
A thrilling winter sport where participants race down snowy slopes in the dark, using headlamps or other lighting to guide their way and avoid obstacles.
Night Surfing
A dangerous extreme sport where surfers brave the ocean at night, relying on dim lighting and their senses to catch waves and navigate the unpredictable waters.
Night Swimming
A recreational sport where participants swim in pools or open water at night, often under the moonlight or using glow sticks for visibility and ambiance.
Night Trekking
Hiking or backpacking through wilderness areas at night, often using headlamps or moonlight to navigate the terrain.
Night Triathlon
A challenging endurance event that combines swimming, cycling, and running, all conducted under the cover of darkness, testing the athlete’s navigation and adaptation skills.
Night Volleyball
A variant of traditional volleyball played in the dark, with players relying on their senses of sound and touch to locate the ball and coordinate their movements.
Night Walking
A leisurely sport where participants take guided walks or hikes through natural environments at night, experiencing the world in a new, atmospheric light.
Ninja Archery
A combination of traditional Japanese martial arts and archery, where practitioners demonstrate their accuracy, agility, and stealth in hitting targets while performing acrobatic movements.
Ninja Training
A discipline focused on the development of stealth, agility, and combat skills inspired by the historical ninja warriors of Japan.
Ninja Warrior
A physically demanding sport where contestants navigate a challenging, multi-stage obstacle course that tests their strength, speed, balance, and problem-solving abilities.
Ninja Yoga
A unique fusion of yoga and traditional Japanese ninja training, incorporating fluid movements, core strengthening, and mental focus to develop overall physical and mental discipline.
Ninjutsu
A Japanese martial art that combines various fighting techniques, stealth, and strategy, often depicted in popular culture as the art of the ninja, emphasizing self-defense and spiritual awareness.
Nitro Circus
A high-octane extreme sports entertainment event featuring a troupe of daredevil stunt performers executing death-defying tricks and stunts on a variety of action sports equipment.
Nitro Powered Skateboarding
A thrilling extreme sport where participants ride specialized skateboards powered by small nitro engines, reaching high speeds on both paved and off-road surfaces.
No Hands Climbing
A specialized rock climbing discipline where participants must ascend the wall without using their hands, relying solely on their feet and core strength to make progress.
No Limit Texas Hold’em
A variant of the popular poker game Texas Hold’em, where players compete to win the largest pot possible by making the best five-card hand using a combination of their hole cards and community cards.
Nocturnal Snowshoeing
A winter sport where participants hike through snowy landscapes at night, using specialized snowshoes and lighting to navigate the terrain and enjoy the serene, moonlit atmosphere.
Noggin Knocker
A sport where participants wear specialized helmets and attempt to knock each other off balance by bumping heads, testing their strength and resilience.
Noodling
Also known as ‘handfishing,’ this unusual sport involves catching catfish by sticking one’s hand into underwater holes and crevices to lure and grab the fish with bare hands.
Nordic Combined
A winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and ski jumping, challenging athletes to excel in both disciplines and demonstrating their well-rounded skiing abilities.
Nordic Walking
A fitness-focused activity that involves using specialized poles to enhance the cardiovascular benefits and muscle engagement of regular walking, popularized in the Nordic countries.
Nose Flicking
A peculiar sport where participants take turns flicking each other’s noses, trying to inflict the most pain or discomfort on their opponent through the strategic use of their index finger.
Nose Picking
A controversial sport where contestants compete to see who can extract the largest or most impressive nasal specimen, often for comedic or shock value.
Nose Typing
Participants use only their nose to type on a keyboard, competing to see who can type the fastest and most accurately using this unconventional method. — MORE AVAILABLE —“
Nosedive Skydiving
A dangerous extreme sport where skydivers perform controlled, head-first freefall dives, reaching high speeds and performing complex maneuvers before deploying their parachutes.
Not Your Everyday Sport
A whimsical competition that features a variety of unique, obscure, or unconventional sports, challenging participants to showcase their versatility and embrace the unexpected.
Noughts and Crosses
A classic pen-and-paper game of Tic-Tac-Toe, where two opponents take turns placing X’s and O’s on a grid, trying to strategically create a row of their symbol.
Nunchaku Spinning
A martial arts-inspired sport where participants demonstrate their dexterity and coordination by performing intricate and dynamic spinning routines with a pair of connected wooden or metal sticks (nunchaku).
Nut Cracking Contest
A competition where participants use a nutcracker tool to quickly and efficiently crack open various types of nuts, testing their strength, dexterity, and nut-cracking expertise.
Nut Tossing
A game where players try to toss nuts (such as peanuts or almonds) into a container or at a target, challenging their aim, hand-eye coordination, and nut-tossing technique.
Nutcracker Ballet
A traditional Russian ballet performance featuring a story about a young girl’s magical journey, where dancers showcase their technical prowess and artistry through classical ballet movements and character portrayals.

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