There are 123 sports that start with the letter Z. From Zabani to Zymper. 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 Z

Sports origin country player count equipment needed
Zabani Syria 2-4 Ball
Zacari Ecuador 2+ Net, ball
Zacateras Mexico 2-4 Ball
Zachanalytics United States 1 Data analysis software
Zacho Argentina 1-2 Wooden bat, ball
Zachtlopen Netherlands 1 None
Zacko Japan 2 Zacko ball, court
Zagranica Poland 2-4 Boomerang-like disc
Zaki Nigeria 2-4 Ball
Zama Philippines 2+ Ball
Zama-Zama South Africa 2-4 Ball
Zambesi Zambia 2-4 Zambesi rackets, net
Zamboanga Sipa Philippines 2-6 Sipa (shuttlecock)
Zamboni Curling Canada 4-8 Zamboni, curling stones, broom
Zanbatsu Japan 2-4 Wooden sword-like clubs
Zancho Peru 2+ Zancho (pole)
Zanda India 2-8 Net, racket, shuttlecock
Zandvoort Netherlands 2+ Ball, net
Zangazanga Malawi 2+ Ball
Zangetsu Japan 2-4 Sword, armor
Zangola Angola 2-4 Ball
Zanima Japan 2-4 Ball
Zanqui China 2-4 Zanqui paddles, net
Zanzibar Foosball Tanzania 2-8 Foosball table
Zaouli C�te d’Ivoire 2+ Mask, costume
Zap Ball United States 2-4 Ball, goal posts
Zap-Zap United States 2+ Ball, goal
Zapocricket Zambia 2-6 Zapocricket bat, ball
Zaporozhian Cossack Wrestling Ukraine 2 None
Zaragiti India 2-4 Ball
Zarpan Iran 2-4 Net, ball
Zas China 2-4 Zas paddles, net
Zascka Croatia 2+ Ball, goal
Zathog India 2 Zathog balls, goal posts
Zawady Poland 2-4 Wooden skittles, ball
Zayno Egypt 2 Zayno board, pieces
Zazi South Korea 2-4 Zazi paddles, net
Zball United States 2-4 Ball, net
Zbirky Czechoslovakia 2-4 Wooden discs, goals
Zebangka Indonesia 2-6 Zebangka rackets, net
Zeda Archery Georgia 1-4 Bow, arrows
Zeen Egypt 2-4 Ball
Zeepkisten Racen Netherlands 2+ Soapbox car
Zeepkisten Rennen Netherlands 1-4 Homemade soapbox cart
Zeese Belgium 2 Skis, poles
Zefra Ball Senegal 2-4 Zefra ball
Zeipen Germany 2-4 Ball
Zelatti Italy 2-4 Zelatti board, pieces
Zeltlauf Germany 1 Tent
Zemigo Japan 2-4 Ball
Zemkomush Kyrgyzstan 2-4 Ball, goal posts
Zendama Japan 2-4 Ball
Zepball United States 2-4 Ball, net
Zephy Greece 2 Zephy board, pieces
Zephyros Greece 2-4 Zephyros board, pieces, dice
Zerafah Egypt 2-4 Ball
Zeroball United States 2-4 Ball, goal
Zerzino Italy 2-4 Wooden mallets, ball
Zetaball Greece 2-4 Zetaball, court
Zeylam Indonesia 2-4 Ball
Zezao Brazil 2-4 Zezao board, pieces
Zgo Mongolia 2-4 Zgo paddles, net
Zhamshi Buzkashi Kazakhstan 2-12 Horse, goat carcass
Zhan Zhuang China Individual None
Zhanga China 2-4 Zhanga paddles, net
Zhanqi China 2-4 Flags, field
Zheng Qi China 2-4 Zheng Qi paddles, net
Zhong Guo Qiu China 2+ Ball, net
Zhulong Dragon Boat Racing China 20-50 Dragon boat, oars
Zhuqi China 2-4 Ball
Zhuque China 2-4 Zhuque paddles, net
Zhuzi China 2-4 Ball
Zi Beng China 2-4 Zi Beng paddles, net
Zibakuji Japan 2-4 Zibakuji board, pieces
Zibandee India 2-6 Hoops, poles
Zibo China 2+ Ball, goal
Zidda Egypt 2 Zidda board, pieces
Zidkari Iran 2-4 Wooden sticks, ball
Zig-Zag South Korea 2-4 Zig-Zag paddles, net
Zigamino Italy 2-4 Zigamino tiles, rack
Zigzag Ball United States 2-4 Ball
Zila India 2-4 Zila rackets, net
Zim Zam South Africa 2-4 Zim Zam board, pieces
Zimball South Africa 2-4 Ball
Zimkicking Zambia 2-6 Zimkicking ball
Zineg Iran 2-4 Ball
Zinkiki Zambia 2-6 Zinkiki sticks, ball
Zipi Zape Spain 2-4 Ball
Zirconium United States 2-4 Zirconium board, pieces
Zireela India 2-4 Wooden discs, field
Ziryan Iran 2-4 Ball
Zithers South Africa 2-4 Ball
Ziul China 2-4 Ziul paddles, net
Zixuan China 2-4 Ball
Zizhu China 2+ Ball, net
Zoba Egypt 2-4 Ball
Zodiac Ball United States 2-4 Zodiac Ball, court
Zog Ball United States 2-4 Ball, net
Zolly India 2-4 Ball
Zoma Namibia 2-6 Zoma sticks, ball
Zoomdash United States 2-4 Zoomdash rackets, court
Zorb Ball New Zealand 1-2 Zorb ball
Zorbee United States 2-4 Zorbee paddles, court
Zorcina Italy 2-4 Ball
Zoucho Brazil 2-4 Ball
Zoupu China 2-4 Zoupu paddles, net
Zoux France 2-4 Ball
Zubal Egypt 2-4 Ball
Zukhara Uzbekistan 2-4 Zukhara rackets, net
Zul India 2-6 Zul sticks, ball
Zulu Stick Fighting South Africa 2 Sticks
Zuma South Africa 2-4 Zuma paddles, net
Zuma Racket Sports Brazil 2-4 Racket, ball
Zumba Brazil Group None
Zunka Japan 2-4 Zunka paddles, net
Zurakobako Japan 2-4 Zurakobako paddles, net
Zurumba South Africa 2-4 Zurumba paddles, net
Zwarte Piet Netherlands 2-4 Zwarte Piet sticks, ball
Zygomatic United States 2-4 Zygomatic paddles, court
Zygon United States 2-4 Zygon paddles, net
Zyma Russia 2-4 Zyma paddles, net
Zymbol China 2-4 Zymbol paddles, net
Zymper United States 2-4 Zymper paddles, court

Descriptions

Zabani
A traditional Syrian ball game where players compete to keep a small ball in the air using their elbows, shoulders, and heads.
Zacari
A traditional Ecuadorian sport played with a small, woven ball that players try to keep off the ground using only their heads and feet.
Zacateras
A Mexican game similar to volleyball, played with a lightweight ball that must be kept off the ground using any part of the body except the hands.
Zachanalytics
A virtual sport that involves using advanced analytics to predict the outcomes of real-world sporting events.
Zacho
A traditional Argentine game involving hitting a small ball using a wooden bat. Players take turns hitting the ball as far as possible within a designated playing area.
Zachtlopen
A traditional Dutch sport where participants compete to see who can walk the slowest without stopping or falling over.
Zacko
A traditional Japanese ball game where players try to keep a small ball in the air using their hands, elbows, and feet.
Zagranica
A traditional Polish outdoor game played with a wooden disc that is thrown and caught.
Zaki
A Nigerian sport involving kicking a ball through a series of obstacles. Players must navigate the ball through the course while maintaining control and avoiding contact with the obstacles.
Zama
A traditional Filipino sport similar to volleyball, played with a rattan ball on a raised platform or court.
Zama-Zama
An underground mining game played in South African gold mines, where players use their hands and feet to maneuver a ball through a series of tunnels.
Zambesi
An African paddle sport similar to table tennis, played on a suspended net with a small, lightweight ball.
Zamboanga Sipa
A traditional Filipino sport where players use their feet to keep a woven rattan ball in the air for as long as possible.
Zamboni Curling
A unique hybrid sport that combines the skills of curling with the power of a Zamboni ice-resurfacing machine. Players must navigate the Zamboni while accurately delivering curling stones to the target.
Zanbatsu
A martial art-inspired sport where two opponents use specialized wooden weapons to strike and block each other’s attacks.
Zancho
A Peruvian sport where players use long poles to push a ball through the air and score points by getting it through a hoop.
Zanda
An Indian variation of badminton where players use small, racket-like implements to hit a shuttlecock back and forth over a net.
Zandvoort
A Dutch beach sport played with a ball that must be hit over a net without it touching the ground.
Zangazanga
A traditional Malawian ball game where players try to keep a small ball in the air using their heads, chests, and feet.
Zangetsu
A Japanese martial arts-inspired sport where participants use wooden swords and protective gear to engage in choreographed sword fighting routines.
Zangola
A Angolan team sport similar to handball, where players pass a ball to teammates and attempt to score by throwing the ball through a raised hoop or net.
Zanima
A Japanese game similar to handball, where players use their hands, arms, and bodies to pass and score with a small ball.
Zanqui
A Chinese game similar to badminton, played with paddles and a small, lightweight ball over a low net.
Zanzibar Foosball
A fast-paced table soccer game originating from the island of Zanzibar. Players use small ‘kickers’ to propel the ball into the opposing team’s goal, with unique local rules and techniques.
Zaouli
A traditional dance from C�te d’Ivoire that has been transformed into a competitive performance sport, with teams showcasing their interpretations of the Zaouli dance.
Zap Ball
A fast-paced American sport where players use their hands to hit a ball through a goal post at either end of a playing field. Points are scored by hitting the ball through the opponent’s goal.
Zap-Zap
An American sport that combines elements of soccer, volleyball, and basketball, played on a small court with a ball that must be hit into the opponent’s goal.
Zapocricket
A variant of cricket played with a smaller bat and a ball that is thrown underhand, popular in rural Zambian communities.
Zaporozhian Cossack Wrestling
A traditional Cossack martial art that emphasizes grappling, throwing, and leg sweeps. Combatants wear traditional Cossack garb and engage in intense, ritualized matches to showcase their strength and skill.
Zaragiti
A traditional Indian game played with a ball made of woven strips of cloth, where players use their hands, arms, and bodies to keep the ball in the air.
Zarpan
A traditional Iranian sport similar to volleyball, where players use their hands and arms to hit a ball over a net and into the opposing team’s court.
Zas
A fast-paced Chinese racket sport played with lightweight paddles and a shuttlecock-like projectile over a low net.
Zascka
A Croatian sport similar to water polo, played in shallow water with a ball that must be thrown into the opponent’s goal.
Zathog
An ancient Indian game similar to lacrosse, played with a ball and net-like equipment.
Zawady
A Polish bowling-style game where players knock down wooden pins with a thrown ball.
Zayno
A traditional Egyptian board game similar to checkers, played with wooden pieces on a marked board.
Zazi
A Korean game similar to table tennis, played with short-handled paddles and a perforated plastic ball on a small court.
Zball
An American sport similar to volleyball, played with a larger, softer ball that can be hit with any part of the body above the waist.
Zbirky
A traditional Czech game where players score points by throwing discs through elevated goals.
Zebangka
An Indonesian badminton-like game played with wooden rackets and a shuttlecock on a raised net.
Zeda Archery
An ancient Georgian archery discipline that involves shooting arrows at distant targets from a seated position. Emphasis is placed on precision, control, and mental focus to achieve long-range accuracy.
Zeen
An ancient Egyptian game similar to handball, where players use their hands and arms to pass and score with a small ball.
Zeepkisten Racen
A Dutch sport where participants race homemade soapbox cars down a hill, testing their engineering and driving skills.
Zeepkisten Rennen
A thrilling soapbox derby-style race where participants build their own small, lightweight ‘zeepkisten’ (soapbox) carts and race them down steep hills, testing their engineering and driving skills.
Zeese
A winter sport originating in Belgium where participants use specialized skis to slide down a steep, winding course while performing various tricks and stunts.
Zefra Ball
A traditional West African game where players use their hands, feet, and head to keep a specialized ‘zefra’ ball in the air for as long as possible, incorporating acrobatic maneuvers and intricate ball control.
Zeipen
A German game similar to basketball, played with a larger, softer ball that can be passed, dribbled, and scored using any part of the body.
Zelatti
An Italian strategy game involving capturing opponent’s pieces by jumping over them on a gridded board.
Zeltlauf
A unique German sport where participants race to set up and take down a tent in the fastest time possible.
Zemigo
A traditional Japanese game where players use their hands, arms, and bodies to keep a lightweight ball in the air.
Zemkomush
A traditional Kyrgyz game similar to soccer, but played with a ball made from goat or sheep hide and using only the head, chest, and shoulders to control and pass the ball.
Zendama
A Japanese game similar to badminton, played with a lightweight ball that must be hit back and forth over a net using any part of the body above the waist.
Zepball
An American sport that combines elements of volleyball and basketball, played with a large, inflatable ball that can be hit, passed, and scored using any part of the body.
Zephy
An ancient Greek game of strategy and chance, played with colored discs on a checkered board.
Zephyros
A Greek game of wind and navigation, using a board with wind directions and a dice to guide ship movements.
Zerafah
An ancient Egyptian game similar to modern-day handball, played with a small, leather ball that must be passed and scored using the hands and arms.
Zeroball
A sport where players use their entire bodies to move a large, inflatable ball towards the opposing team’s goal, aiming to score by pushing the ball through the goal.
Zerzino
An Italian variant of croquet, played on a rectangular field with a wooden ball and mallets.
Zetaball
A Greek sport that combines elements of basketball, volleyball, and handball, played with a large, inflated ball on a court.
Zeylam
A traditional Indonesian game where players use their hands, arms, and bodies to keep a small, woven ball in the air.
Zezao
A Brazilian game of spatial reasoning, where players strategically place pieces on a grid to capture territory.
Zgo
A traditional Mongolian paddle sport similar to table tennis, played with long-handled paddles and a small, lightweight ball.
Zhamshi Buzkashi
An intense Central Asian equestrian sport where riders on horseback attempt to grab and carry a decapitated goat carcass (‘buzkashi’) through a goal, battling against opponents in a display of horsemanship and physical prowess.
Zhan Zhuang
A Chinese martial arts-based practice that involves standing in static postures to improve balance, strength, and mental focus.
Zhanga
A Chinese racket sport that involves keeping a small, lightweight projectile in the air using specialized paddles and a low net.
Zhanqi
A Chinese foot-based game where players score by kicking flags on the opposing side of the field.
Zheng Qi
A Chinese table tennis variant played with longer paddles and a larger, heavier ball on a smaller court.
Zhong Guo Qiu
A Chinese sport similar to volleyball, played with a lightweight ball that must be hit over a net without touching the ground.
Zhulong Dragon Boat Racing
A traditional Chinese water sport where teams of paddlers race long, narrow boats decorated with ornate dragon heads and tails. Synchronized rowing, drumbeats, and team camaraderie are essential to victory.
Zhuqi
A Chinese game similar to volleyball, played with a lightweight ball that must be kept off the ground using any part of the body except the hands.
Zhuque
A traditional Chinese racket sport played with long, straight-handled paddles and a lightweight projectile over a low net.
Zhuzi
A traditional Chinese game where players use their hands, arms, and bodies to pass and score with a small, weighted ball.
Zi Beng
A Chinese game similar to badminton, played with specialized paddles and a lightweight, perforated ball on a small court.
Zibakuji
A traditional Japanese game of abstract strategy, played on a board with interlocking pieces that must be placed carefully.
Zibandee
An Indian game where players use hoops and poles to hit and pass a ball through the opposing team’s goal.
Zibo
A Chinese sport where players use their feet to keep a ball in the air and try to score points by getting it through a goal.
Zidda
An ancient Egyptian game of skill and chance, involving the movement of pieces on a checkered board.
Zidkari
A traditional Iranian game where players use wooden sticks to strike and control a leather ball.
Zig-Zag
A Korean racket sport where players hit a shuttlecock back and forth, changing direction after each hit.
Zigamino
An Italian tile-laying game, similar to Dominoes, where players match patterns and colors to form connecting lines.
Zigzag Ball
An American game where players use their hands, arms, and bodies to hit a ball back and forth, attempting to make it zig-zag through the air.
Zila
An Indian sport that combines elements of tennis and badminton, played with long-handled rackets and a lightweight ball over a net.
Zim Zam
A traditional South African game of strategy and dexterity, played with wooden pieces on a marked board.
Zimball
A traditional South African game where players use their hands, arms, and bodies to keep a small, woven ball in the air.
Zimkicking
A Zambian game where players use their feet to control and kick a small, lightweight ball in a designated playing area.
Zineg
An Iranian game similar to volleyball, played with a lightweight ball that must be kept off the ground using any part of the body except the hands.
Zinkiki
A traditional Zambian sport where players use long, thin sticks to hit a small ball back and forth on a court.
Zipi Zape
A traditional Spanish game where players use their hands, arms, and bodies to pass and score with a small, lightweight ball.
Zirconium
An American game of spatial reasoning and tile placement, where players build structures by strategically placing shaped tiles.
Zireela
An ancient Indian game where players throw wooden discs to score points on a marked field.
Ziryan
An Iranian game similar to handball, played with a small, leather ball that must be passed and scored using the hands and arms.
Zithers
A traditional South African game where players use their hands, arms, and bodies to keep a small, woven ball in the air.
Ziul
A Chinese racket sport played with specialized paddles and a lightweight, perforated ball on a small court.
Zixuan
A Chinese game similar to badminton, played with a lightweight ball that must be hit back and forth over a net using any part of the body above the waist.
Zizhu
A Chinese sport similar to badminton, played with a lightweight ball that must be hit over a net without touching the ground.
Zoba
An ancient Egyptian game similar to modern-day handball, played with a small, leather ball that must be passed and scored using the hands and arms.
Zodiac Ball
A unique American sport that combines elements of basketball, volleyball, and handball, played with a large, inflated ball on a specialized court.
Zog Ball
An American sport that combines elements of soccer, basketball, and volleyball, played with a large, inflatable ball that can be passed, dribbled, and scored using any part of the body.
Zolly
A traditional Indian game where players use their hands, arms, and bodies to keep a lightweight, woven ball in the air.
Zoma
A traditional Namibian sport where players use long, thin wooden sticks to hit a small, woven ball back and forth.
Zoomdash
A fast-paced American racket sport played on a specialized court, using lightweight rackets and a high-speed projectile.
Zorb Ball
A unique sport where participants roll down hills or across fields while enclosed in a large, transparent, inflatable ball.
Zorbee
An American sport that combines elements of table tennis and badminton, played with specialized paddles and a lightweight ball on a small court.
Zorcina
An Italian game similar to volleyball, played with a larger, softer ball that can be hit with any part of the body above the waist.
Zoucho
A Brazilian game similar to soccer, played with a small, lightweight ball that must be maneuvered using the feet, legs, and bodies of the players.
Zoupu
A Chinese paddle sport that involves keeping a small, perforated ball in the air using specialized paddles and a low net.
Zoux
A traditional French game where players use their hands, arms, and bodies to pass and score with a small, leather ball.
Zubal
An ancient Egyptian game similar to modern-day handball, played with a small, leather ball that must be passed and scored using the hands and arms.
Zukhara
A traditional Uzbek sport that combines elements of tennis and badminton, played with long-handled rackets and a lightweight ball over a low net.
Zul
A traditional Indian sport where players use long, thin wooden sticks to hit a small, woven ball back and forth.
Zulu Stick Fighting
A centuries-old martial art practiced by the Zulu people, involving the use of long, wooden sticks in combat. Practitioners demonstrate intricate footwork, strikes, and defensive maneuvers in a display of cultural heritage and physical skill.
Zuma
A South African paddle sport similar to table tennis, played with specialized paddles and a small, lightweight ball over a low net.
Zuma Racket Sports
A collection of fast-paced racket sports popular in Brazil, including variants of tennis, badminton, and squash played on smaller courts with specialized ‘zuma’ rackets and balls, emphasizing quick reflexes and strategy.
Zumba
A high-energy fitness dance routine that incorporates elements of various Latin and international dances, promoting cardiovascular health and muscle toning.
Zunka
A Japanese paddle sport that involves keeping a small, lightweight projectile in the air using specialized paddles and a low net.
Zurakobako
A traditional Japanese racket sport played with long, thin paddles and a perforated, lightweight ball over a low net.
Zurumba
A South African paddle sport that combines elements of table tennis and badminton, played with specialized paddles and a small, lightweight ball.
Zwarte Piet
A traditional Dutch game where players use long, thin sticks to hit a small, weighted ball back and forth.
Zygomatic
A unique American sport that combines elements of racquetball and squash, played with specialized paddles on a small, enclosed court.
Zygon
An American sport that features a combination of table tennis, badminton, and tennis, played with paddles and a lightweight ball over a low net.
Zyma
A traditional Russian racket sport that involves keeping a small, perforated ball in the air using specialized paddles and a low net.
Zymbol
A Chinese paddle sport similar to table tennis, played with long-handled paddles and a lightweight, perforated ball over a low net.
Zymper
An American sport that blends elements of racquetball, squash, and tennis, played with specialized paddles on a small, enclosed court.

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