There are 89 sports that start with the letter D. From Dabo to Dwarf Tossing. 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 D

Sports origin country player count equipment needed
Dabo United States 2-4 players Special table, dice, chips
Daggar Fighting India 2 players Daggers
Dance Sports various 1+ varies
Dancesport Various Pairs Dance shoes, dance attire
Dandi Biyo Nepal 2 players Stick, small ball
Dara Shikoh India 2 players Board, pieces
Dart Frog Racing Costa Rica 2-4 dart frogs, small raceway
Dart Golf United States 1-4 Darts, dartboard
Dart Juggling United Kingdom 1 player Darts
Dartmoor Hill Race United Kingdom individual none
Darts United Kingdom 2 Darts, dartboard
Darts Golf United Kingdom 2-4 players Darts, golf course
Deaflympics global thousands varies by sport
Death Rally Finland 2-20 race cars, weapons
Debate United Kingdom 2+ None
Decathlon Greece 10 Various
Deck Hockey Canada 2 teams of 4-6 players Hockey sticks, ball, and playing surface
Deck Tennis United States 2 players Flying ring
Deep Sea Fishing United States individual boat, fishing gear
Deer Hunting United States Individual Rifle, bow, or other hunting equipment
Dek Hockey Canada 4-6 per team hockey sticks, ball
Demolition Ball United States team protective gear
Demolition Derby United States 10+ Cars
Derry Walls Race United Kingdom individual none
Desert Rally Various 1 Off-road vehicle, safety equipment
Destroyer Ball United States 2-4 per team ball, net
Deuce United States 2 players Tennis court, tennis racket
Devilstick various 1+ devilstick
Dew Tour United States individual various
Dhordo India 2-4 players Wooden pieces, board
Dhotke India 2 players Sticks, ball
Diabolo China 1-2 players Diabolo, string
Diabolo Juggling China individual diabolo (spinning top)
Digital Motorsport global 1-20 gaming hardware
Dirt Bike Freestyle United States 1 rider Dirt bike, safety gear
Dirt Bike Racing United States 1 Dirt bike
Dirt Track Racing United States individual modified vehicles
Disc Dog United States 1 human, 1 dog flying disc
Disc Golf United States 1+ Frisbee, baskets
Discus Throw ancient Greece 1-2 discus
Disk Wheel Racing United Kingdom 1-2 riders Disk wheel bicycle
Diving Various 1 Swimsuit, diving equipment
Dodgeball United States 6 vs 6 Rubber balls
Dodgejball United States 6-10 per team rubber balls
Dog Agility United Kingdom 1 handler, 1 dog Agility equipment
Dog Disc United States 1-2 Frisbee, training aids
Dog Flyball Canada 4 dogs, 4 handlers Flyball equipment
Dog Lure Coursing United States 1 human, 1 dog lure machine
Dog Mushing Alaska, Canada 1-2 mushers, 4-12 dogs Sled, harness, dog team
Dog Sledding Canada, Alaska 1-8 dogs, 1-2 humans sled, harness
Dog Surfing United States 1 human, 1 dog surfboard
Dog Weight Pulling United States Individual with dog Harness, sled, weights
Dogsled Racing Canada individual dogsled, dogs
Dohyo-Iri Japan 2 wrestlers Sumo ring, loincloth
Dolf Israel 1-4 ball, net
Dolly Racing Various 1 Specially designed dolly, safety equipment
Dome Climbing United States 1-many climbing gear
Dome Skating United States Individual Roller skates, dome-shaped rink
Dominoes China 2-4 dominoes tiles
Donut Racing United States 1-4 go-kart, donut-shaped track
Double Dutch United States 2 turners, 1-many jumpers jump ropes
Downhill Mountain Biking United States Individual Mountain bike, protective gear
Downhill Skiing Various 1 Skis, boots, poles, safety equipment
Downing Australia 2 teams of 11 players Australian rules football
Dragon Boat Racing China 20 Dragon boat, paddles
Dragonboat China Crew of 20-22 paddlers, 1 drummer, 1 steersperson Dragon-boat, paddles
Draughts Netherlands 2 Checkerboard, checkers
Dressage Germany 1 Horse, saddle
Drift Skating United States Individual Roller skates, protective gear
Drift Triking Japan 1 Drift tricycle
Drifting Japan 1 driver Rear-wheel-drive car, safety gear
Drone Racing United States individual drone, controller
Drumline Competition United States 5-10 per team drums, uniforms
Dryland Curling Various 4 Curling stones, delivery device
Dryland Dog Sledding United States Team of 2-6 dogs and 1 musher Sled, harnesses, dogs
Dryland Luge Austria 1 luge sled, wheels
Duathlon Primarily Europe Individual Running shoes, bicycle, helmet
Ducks on the Pond United States 2 teams of 4-6 players Playground equipment
Dune Bashing Saudi Arabia Individual 4×4 vehicle, safety gear
Dune Buggy Racing United States 1 driver Dune buggy, safety gear
Dune Surfing Saudi Arabia Individual Sandboard, protective gear
Dung Beetle Rolling Africa, South America 1-2 dung ball
Dungeon Ball United States 6 vs 6 Volleyball, court
Dungeon Crawling United States 1-6 players Role-playing game materials
Dunking United States 1+ basketball, hoop
Durango Sled Dog Race United States Musher, dog team Sled, harness, dog team
Durban Beach Soccer South Africa 5 per team Soccer ball, goals, sand
Durban Poison South Africa 1+ skateboard
Dwarf Tossing United States 1 tosser, 1 tossee None

Descriptions

Dabo
A casino-style table game where players bet on the outcome of rolling dice.
Daggar Fighting
A traditional Indian martial art that involves the skilled use of daggers in combat.
Dance Sports
A group of competitive dances, including ballroom, latin, and other styles, typically performed by couples and judged on technical merit and artistic expression.
Dancesport
A competitive form of ballroom dancing with various disciplines such as Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, and Viennese Waltz.
Dandi Biyo
A game where players hit a small ball back and forth using sticks, requiring skill and coordination.
Dara Shikoh
A traditional Indian chess-like game played on an 8×8 board with unique pieces and movement rules.
Dart Frog Racing
Competitors race tiny poison dart frogs along a specially designed course, testing the frogs’ speed and agility. Strict safety protocols are followed to protect the endangered species.
Dart Golf
A variation of traditional darts where players aim to hit specific targets on the dartboard to complete a ‘hole’ or ‘course’.
Dart Juggling
The art of juggling with darts, requiring exceptional hand-eye coordination and precision.
Dartmoor Hill Race
A challenging cross-country running event held annually in the Dartmoor National Park, featuring steep hills, rocky terrain, and unpredictable weather conditions.
Darts
A precision throwing game where players take turns throwing small sharp-pointed missiles called darts at a circular target called a dartboard.
Darts Golf
A combination of darts and golf, where players throw darts at numbered targets on a golf course to achieve the lowest score.
Deaflympics
The Deaflympics are an international multi-sport event organized for Deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes. Participants must have a hearing loss of at least 55 dB in their ‘better ear’ to be eligible.
Death Rally
A vehicular combat racing game where players compete to be the last car standing by weaponizing their vehicles and eliminating opponents.
Debate
A formal discussion on a particular topic in a tournament-style format where opposing sides argue their positions.
Decathlon
A grueling multi-event track and field competition consisting of 10 challenging events tested over two consecutive days.
Deck Hockey
A variant of ice hockey played on a wooden or synthetic deck surface, typically in a gymnasium or arena.
Deck Tennis
A game similar to badminton played with a lightweight ring instead of a shuttlecock.
Deep Sea Fishing
A recreational sport involving the use of specialized boats and equipment to catch large, migratory fish species in the open ocean, typically found in deeper waters.
Deer Hunting
The pursuit and killing of deer, a popular hunting activity in many parts of the world.
Dek Hockey
A variant of ice hockey played on a specialized ‘dek’ or ‘deck’ surface instead of ice, with a lighter ball instead of a puck.
Demolition Ball
A variant of handball where players attempt to knock down or ‘demolish’ a reinforced rubber ball by striking it with their hands, elbows, or other body parts.
Demolition Derby
A motorsport event where drivers intentionally crash into each other, with the last vehicle still running declared the winner.
Derry Walls Race
An annual foot race held in Derry, Northern Ireland, where runners navigate the historic city walls and surrounding landmarks.
Desert Rally
A form of motorsport that takes place in remote desert environments, often across challenging terrain.
Destroyer Ball
A fast-paced team sport combining elements of soccer, basketball, and handball, played with a weighted ball that must be ‘destroyed’ through the opponent’s net.
Deuce
A variant of tennis where the court is divided diagonally, and players must return the ball to their opponent’s diagonal half.
Devilstick
A juggling prop consisting of a central stick with two ‘bats’ that are tossed, caught, and manipulated in various tricks and routines.
Dew Tour
A series of professional competitive events showcasing various freestyle skiing and snowboarding disciplines, including slopestyle, halfpipe, and big air.
Dhordo
A traditional Indian game played on a board with wooden pieces, involving strategy and skill.
Dhotke
A game where players hit a small ball back and forth using sticks, testing their coordination and reflexes.
Diabolo
A juggling and balancing act performed with a spool-shaped object called a diabolo, which is spun and tossed using a string connected to two sticks.
Diabolo Juggling
The art of manipulating a Chinese yo-yo-like object called a diabolo, performing tricks and stunts by tossing, catching, and spinning the device on a string between two hand-held sticks.
Digital Motorsport
Virtual car racing competitions held online or at gaming events, using highly realistic racing simulation software.
Dirt Bike Freestyle
A competitive motorsport where dirt bike riders perform acrobatic stunts and tricks, often in a specialized arena or course.
Dirt Bike Racing
A type of motorcycle racing that takes place on off-road circuits, often featuring jumps, berms, and other rugged terrain.
Dirt Track Racing
A form of auto racing that takes place on oval or circular dirt tracks, often using modified stock cars or purpose-built racing vehicles.
Disc Dog
A dog sport where handlers throw a disc for their canine companions to catch and retrieve, with points awarded for style and distance.
Disc Golf
A flying disc sport in which players throw a disc into a basket or at a target, with the goal of completing each hole or ‘course’ with the fewest number of throws.
Discus Throw
An ancient Greek field event in which athletes throw a heavy, flat circular disc as far as possible.
Disk Wheel Racing
A form of bicycle racing where riders use specialized disk-shaped wheels, often in a velodrome or closed course.
Diving
The sport of leaping from high platforms or boards into a body of water, with competitors being judged on the quality of their form and entry.
Dodgeball
A team sport in which players on opposing teams try to throw balls at each other while avoiding being hit themselves.
Dodgejball
A team sport in which players on two teams try to ‘dodge’ being hit by balls thrown by the opposing team.
Dog Agility
A dog sport in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy.
Dog Disc
A sport where dogs catch and retrieve flying discs, with competitions judging the dog’s speed, agility, and ability to execute various maneuvers.
Dog Flyball
A relay race where teams of dogs race side-by-side over a series of hurdles to trigger a box that releases a ball, which the dog must retrieve.
Dog Lure Coursing
A dog sport where dogs chase a mechanized lure, testing their prey drive and speed in a safe, controlled environment.
Dog Mushing
The sport of racing sled dogs, often in the snow, where mushers (dog sled drivers) guide a team of sled dogs.
Dog Sledding
A winter sport where teams of sled dogs pull a sled with one or more human passengers or cargo over snow-covered terrain.
Dog Surfing
A dog sport where canines ride on surfboards alongside their human companions, demonstrating balance and coordination.
Dog Weight Pulling
A competition where dogs demonstrate their strength by pulling a sled loaded with progressively heavier weights.
Dogsled Racing
A winter sport where a team of sled dogs pulls a sled with a human driver (musher) over a marked course, typically through snow-covered terrain.
Dohyo-Iri
The ritual entrance and preparations performed by sumo wrestlers before a match.
Dolf
A ball game played with a small, soft ball that must be hit into the opponent’s net using the head, chest, or feet.
Dolly Racing
A form of motorsport where small, lightweight vehicles called ‘dollies’ race around a track, often on dirt or gravel surfaces.
Dome Climbing
Rock climbing performed on the interior walls of large, geodesic domes, often used for training and competition.
Dome Skating
A form of roller skating that takes place on a dome-shaped rink, creating a unique and challenging skating experience.
Dominoes
A tile-based game where players attempt to be the first to play all of their tiles by matching the open ends of the tiles on the table.
Donut Racing
A go-kart racing event held on a circular, donut-shaped track, testing drivers’ handling and precision.
Double Dutch
A team jump rope game where two people turn two ropes in opposite directions while one or more people jump between them.
Downhill Mountain Biking
A form of off-road cycling where riders navigate steep, technical trails while descending a mountain.
Downhill Skiing
A winter sport that involves skiing down steep, snow-covered slopes, with competitors being judged on speed and technique.
Downing
A variant of Australian rules football played on a smaller field, with a focus on kicking and hand-passing the ball.
Dragon Boat Racing
A team water sport where crews of up to 20 paddlers race long, narrow boats decorated to look like Chinese dragons.
Dragonboat
A team water sport where crews of paddlers race long, narrow boats decorated to look like dragons.
Draughts
Also known as Checkers, a classic abstract strategy board game where the objective is to capture all of the opponent’s pieces.
Dressage
An equestrian sport in which a horse and rider perform a choreographed sequence of movements, with the horse’s training and the rider’s horsemanship evaluated.
Drift Skating
A form of roller skating that emphasizes techniques for turning, sliding, and performing tricks while maintaining speed and control.
Drift Triking
A motorsport where specialized three-wheeled vehicles are intentionally slid through corners at high speeds, creating a visually stunning display of vehicular control.
Drifting
A motorsport where drivers intentionally oversteer their vehicles to cause the rear wheels to lose traction and slide through a corner.
Drone Racing
A competitive sport where pilots remotely control small, high-speed unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) through obstacle courses at high speeds.
Drumline Competition
Organized competitions between marching percussion ensembles, showcasing technical skill, musicality, and choreographed routines.
Dryland Curling
A variant of curling that is played on a smooth, hard surface instead of ice, often indoors.
Dryland Dog Sledding
A variant of dog sledding that is practiced on dry, non-snowy surfaces, often using wheeled sleds or carts.
Dryland Luge
A summer adaptation of the winter Olympic sport of luge, where athletes race downhill on wheeled sleds without ice or snow.
Duathlon
A multi-discipline endurance event that combines running and cycling, with a running segment, a cycling segment, and a final running segment.
Ducks on the Pond
A playground game where players take turns trying to hit other players with a ball, who must then join the ‘pond’ (base) of the player who hit them.
Dune Bashing
A recreational activity where drivers navigate and race across sand dunes in off-road vehicles.
Dune Buggy Racing
A form of off-road racing where lightweight, high-powered buggies are driven over sandy, desert-like terrain.
Dune Surfing
A recreational activity where participants ride specialized sandboards down steep sand dunes, similar to traditional surfing.
Dung Beetle Rolling
A sport in which participants attempt to roll large, heavy balls of dung across finish lines or up inclines using only their heads.
Dungeon Ball
A fast-paced indoor team sport that combines elements of volleyball, handball, and basketball, played in a dark, dungeon-themed setting.
Dungeon Crawling
A cooperative adventure game where players explore a dungeon, battle monsters, and complete quests, often in a fantasy or sci-fi setting.
Dunking
The act of a basketball player jumping up and putting the ball through the hoop, often with great force and flair.
Durango Sled Dog Race
An annual sled dog race held in Durango, Colorado, where teams of sled dogs and their mushers race through the snowy terrain.
Durban Beach Soccer
A variation of traditional soccer played on sandy beaches, with a focus on technical skill and acrobatic maneuvers.
Durban Poison
A style of skateboarding originating in Durban, South Africa, known for its unique tricks, technical riding, and urban terrain.
Dwarf Tossing
A controversial event where people of short stature, known as ‘dwarfs’, are thrown or tossed for entertainment and competition.

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