There are 119 sports that start with the letter M. From Macrosse to Mystery Orienteering. 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 M

Sports origin country player count equipment needed
Macrosse Canada 2 teams of 6-12 players Lacrosse sticks, ball
Madeira Toboggan Ride Portugal 1-2 riders Wooden sled
Mah-Jongg China 4 Mah-Jongg set
Mah-Jongg Solitaire China 1 Mah-Jongg tiles
Mahan Iran 2 players Stick and ball
Mahjong Solitaire China 1 Mah-Jongg tiles
Malakhra India 2 teams of 6-12 players None
Malakoff Russia 2-4 Malakoff board, pieces
Mallakhamb India 1 Vertical pole or rope
Mamallapuram Beach Surfing India 1 Surfboard
Mancala Africa 2 Mancala board and stones
Mancala Solitaire Africa 1 Mancala board
Mancosi Italy 2 Two wooden paddles, a ball
Mancuri Romania 2-4 mancuri (wooden mallets)
Manelka Poland 2 none
Mango Ball India 2-4 Mangoes, sticks
Mangrove Kayaking Various 1-2 Kayak, life jacket
Mantra Ball India 2-4 Mantra ball
Mao Shan Wushu China 1 or more participants None
Marathon Greece 1-unlimited Running shoes, hydration
Marble Bowling Various 2-4 Marbles, bowling pins
Marble Darts Various 2-4 Marbles, dartboard
Marble Maze Various 1-2 Marbles, maze structure
Marble Pinball Various 1-2 Marbles, pinball machine
Marble Racing United States 1+ Marbles, marble track
Marble Shoot Various 2-4 Marbles, target
Marble Soccer Various 2-4 Marbles, miniature goals
Marble Solitaire United Kingdom 1 player Marbles, board
Marble Tic-Tac-Toe Various 2 Marbles, game board
Marble Toss Various 2-4 Marbles, targets
Marble Volleyball Various 2-4 Marbles, miniature volleyball net
Marbles Various 2+ Marbles
Marching Band United States 20-400 members Instruments, uniforms
Marching Band Drill United States 30+ Marching band instruments, uniforms
Mariposa Mexico 2 Mariposa equipment
Marn Grook Australia 2+ ball-shaped object
Marraqueta Chile 2-4 Wooden paddles, ball
Martial Arts Asia 1+ Varies by discipline
Mas Wrestling Russia 2 players Wooden stick
Mass Ascent Switzerland 2+ Parachutes
Mat Ball United States 2-12 ball
Matka India 2 players Earthen pot, ball
Matkot Israel 2 Wooden paddle, ball
Matsuri Taiko Drumming Japan ensemble taiko drums
Matteball United States 2-4 Matteball set
Maui Surf Polo United States 2 Surfboards, water polo ball
Mayan Ball Game Mesoamerica 2 teams of 2-7 players Rubber ball
Mazeball United States 2-4 Rubber ball, Maze court
Mdawwara Malta 2 teams of 6-8 players Ball, net
Medieval Jousting Europe 2 lances, horses
Megafootball United States 11 vs 11 Football, field
Megumi Japan 2-4 Megumi set
Mehndi India 1+ henna paste
Meiyintang China 2+ shuttlecock, rackets
Mejorada Mexico 2-4 Wooden puck, curved sticks
Melasti Indonesia Variable None
Melee United States 2+ Weapons (safe replicas)
Melon Bowling Japan 2+ Watermelons, sticks
Men’s Rhythmic Gymnastics Russia 1 male competitor Apparatus (hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon)
Meodori South Korea 2-4 Shuttlecock, net
Mepham England 2+ ball, goals
Merellspel Netherlands 2 players Checkers board, pieces
Merellus Ancient Rome 2-4 Merellus board, pieces
Meshi Japan 2 players Go stones, board
Meshky Iran 2-4 Meshky equipment
Metanoia Greece 2-4 Metanoia board, pieces
Meteu Greece 2 Wooden discs, sticks
Metli Pakistan 2 players Ball, sticks
Metraball Brazil 2-4 Ball, court
Metronome Drumming United States 1 Drum, metronome
Michegan United States 2-4 Michegan equipment
Midget Car Racing United States 1 Midget race car
Miglior Calcio Balilla Italy 2-4 Table football table, players
Milkla Finland 2 Wooden paddles, puck
Milkshake Drinking Contest United States 2 or more contestants Milkshakes
Mill Various 2 Game board, pieces
Mini Bike Racing United States 1-2 riders Mini bike, safety gear
Mini Golf United States 1-4 Putter, golf ball
Mini Polo United Kingdom 2 teams of 3-4 players Mallets, ball, goals
Mini-Javelin Throw Various 1+ Mini-javelin
Miniature Golf Various 1+ Putter, golf ball
Minigolf Germany 1 or more players Putter, golf ball
Mintonette United States 2 teams Volleyball net, ball
Mirador Chile 2 teams of 5 players Ball, net
Misak Iran 2-4 Misak equipment
Mohawk Lacrosse Canada 2 teams Lacrosse stick, ball
Mollymawks New Zealand 1+ Glider, harness
Mongolian Ankle Tossing Mongolia 2+ Sheep anklebones
Mongolian Archery Mongolia 1 or more archers Bow, arrows
Mongolian Horse Racing Mongolia Jockeys, spectators Horses
Mongolian Wrestling Mongolia 2 none
Monkey Ball Various 2-4 Ball, court
Monkey Bridge Vietnam 2 teams of 5-7 players None
Monobob Switzerland 1 Monobob sled
Monowheel Various 1 rider Monowheel, safety gear
Montainboard France 1 Montainboard
Montainboarding New Zealand 1 mountainboard
Morabaraba South Africa 2 Morabaraba board, pieces
Motocross United States 1 Motorcycle, protective gear
Motocross Freestyle Various 1 rider Motorcycle, safety gear
Motocross Sidecar Racing Various 2 Motorcycle, sidecar
Motosports Global 1 Motorcycle, equipment
Mountain Biking United States 1 Mountain bike, protective gear
Mountain Boarding United States 1 Mountain board, protective gear
Mountain Unicycling United States 1 Unicycle, protective gear
Mousetrap Car Racing Various 1 or more participants Mousetraps, materials
Muay Thai Thailand 2 Boxing gloves, wraps, mouth guard
Mud Football United States 2 teams None
Mud Run Various Individual or team None
Mud Soccer Various 2 teams of 11 players Soccer ball
Mudlarking United Kingdom 1 None
Mukhota India 2-4 Mukhota equipment
Muktuk Greenland 2 or more players Muktuk (whale skin and fat)
Mulka Egypt 2 players Mulka board, pieces
Muntjac Racing United Kingdom 2-4 Muntjac, equipment
Munzee Various 1 or more players Smartphone, app
Mushball United States 2-12 Softball, gloves
Mystery Hunt United States 1+ Clues, puzzles
Mystery Orienteering Sweden 1+ Compass, map

Descriptions

Macrosse
A team sport combining elements of lacrosse and American football. Players use the lacrosse stick to pass, carry, and score a ball into the opposing team’s goal.
Madeira Toboggan Ride
A traditional means of transportation on the island of Madeira, where wicker sleds are pushed by men in white suits down the steep streets of Funchal.
Mah-Jongg
A tile-based game that originated in 19th century China, involving skill, strategy, and a degree of chance. Players aim to build particular ‘hands’ using tiles drawn and discarded.
Mah-Jongg Solitaire
A solo variant of the classic Chinese tile-matching game Mah-Jongg, where the player tries to complete a hand by making sets and sequences from a limited set of tiles.
Mahan
An ancient Persian game similar to field hockey, played on horseback using a wooden mallet to hit a small ball.
Mahjong Solitaire
A puzzle game where the player arranges matching pairs of Mah-Jongg tiles from a grid layout to clear the board.
Malakhra
A traditional wrestling sport from the Indian state of Gujarat, where the objective is to push the opponent out of a circular ring using various grappling techniques.
Malakoff
A board game involving strategy and capturing opponent’s pieces. Players attempt to surround and capture the ‘malakoff’ piece in the center of the board.
Mallakhamb
An ancient Indian sport that involves gymnastic feats and yoga-like postures performed on a vertical wooden pole or suspended ropes.
Mamallapuram Beach Surfing
Surfing on the waves near the historic town of Mamallapuram in Tamil Nadu, India.
Mancala
An ancient strategy game played on a board with shallow pits, in which players move stones to capture their opponent’s stones. Originated in Africa and has numerous regional variations.
Mancala Solitaire
A variant of the classic African game Mancala where a single player attempts to capture all the stones on the board.
Mancosi
Mancosi is a traditional Italian ball game played with wooden paddles on a long, narrow court. Players take turns hitting the ball back and forth, trying to score points by landing the ball on the opponent’s side of the court.
Mancuri
A traditional Romanian game played with wooden mallets and a small wooden ball. Players take turns hitting the ball through a series of gates or goals to score points.
Manelka
A Polish lawn bowling game where players roll wooden balls towards a smaller target ball, similar to bocce ball.
Mango Ball
Mango Ball is a traditional Indian game played with mangoes and sticks. Players take turns hitting the mango, trying to knock it out of a designated area. The game requires skill in timing and aiming to hit the mango accurately.
Mangrove Kayaking
Paddling through the intricate network of mangrove forests in coastal regions, observing wildlife and natural landscapes.
Mantra Ball
A traditional Indian sport where players use their hands, feet, and heads to keep a small ball in the air while reciting mantras.
Mao Shan Wushu
A traditional Chinese martial art that emphasizes fluid, dance-like movements and the integration of the mind, body, and spirit.
Marathon
A long-distance running event with origins in ancient Greece, where runners cover a distance of approximately 26.2 miles (42.195 km).
Marble Bowling
A game where players roll marbles to knock down a set of miniature bowling pins.
Marble Darts
A game where players toss marbles at a dartboard-like target to score points.
Marble Maze
A game where players guide a marble through a complex, multi-level maze structure using various obstacles and mechanisms.
Marble Pinball
A game where players launch and manipulate marbles on a pinball-style playing field to score points.
Marble Racing
A competitive sport where participants race small glass or steel balls down elaborate tracks, often made of various materials. Gained popularity through online videos showcasing intricate track designs.
Marble Shoot
A game where players take turns shooting marbles at a designated target to score points.
Marble Soccer
A game where players kick and maneuver marbles into miniature soccer goals to score points.
Marble Solitaire
A single-player game where the objective is to remove all but one marble from a board by jumping one marble over another.
Marble Tic-Tac-Toe
A game where players take turns placing marbles on a tic-tac-toe grid, trying to get three of their marbles in a row.
Marble Toss
A game where players take turns tossing marbles at a set of targets, trying to knock them down or score points.
Marble Volleyball
A game where players use their hands to hit a marble over a miniature volleyball net, aiming to score points by landing the marble on the opponent’s side.
Marbles
Marbles is a classic game where players take turns trying to knock other players’ marbles out of a circle or designated area using their own marble. The game requires strategy, aim, and hand-eye coordination.
Marching Band
A musical ensemble that performs at events, parades, and sporting events, with members marching in formation and playing various instruments.
Marching Band Drill
A synchronized, choreographed performance by a marching band, often seen at halftime shows of American football games. Requires precise coordination and movement patterns.
Mariposa
A traditional Mexican game where players take turns throwing wooden discs called ‘mariposas’ at a target, similar to lawn bowling or curling.
Marn Grook
An Indigenous Australian game where players attempt to catch and carry a ball-shaped object without it touching the ground, similar to modern football.
Marraqueta
Marraqueta is a traditional Chilean game played with wooden paddles and a ball. Players hit the ball back and forth, trying to score points by hitting it to the opponent’s side of the court.
Martial Arts
A broad category of combat sports and self-defense practices that originated in various Asian countries. Includes disciplines such as karate, taekwondo, judo, and jiu-jitsu, each with distinct techniques and philosophies.
Mas Wrestling
A traditional strength sport from Siberia, where two opponents sit on the ground and use a wooden stick to pull each other forward.
Mass Ascent
Mass Ascent is a skydiving event where a large group of skydivers jump from an aircraft simultaneously, forming a formation in the air. It requires precise timing, coordination, and skill among the participants.
Mat Ball
A team sport similar to volleyball, but played on a mat or mat-like surface with a ball that can be hit with any part of the body.
Matka
A traditional game from India where players try to hit a target pot with a small ball using an improvised bat or stick.
Matkot
A beach racket sport played with a wooden paddle and a small, hard rubber ball on the beaches of Israel.
Matsuri Taiko Drumming
A form of traditional Japanese drumming performed during festivals (matsuri), often in synchronised rhythmic patterns by a group of drummers.
Matteball
A variation of handball where players use their hands to hit a ball against a wall, with the goal of scoring points by forcing the opponent to miss the return.
Maui Surf Polo
A variant of water polo played on surfboards, originating in Maui, Hawaii. Combines the skills of surfing and water polo, creating a unique and challenging sport on the open ocean.
Mayan Ball Game
An ancient Mesoamerican sport played with a solid rubber ball, where the objective was to pass the ball through a stone hoop using only the hips, shoulders, and elbows.
Mazeball
A fast-paced ball sport played in a maze-like court, where players must navigate the maze and score points by throwing the ball through designated goals. Requires quick thinking and agility to outmaneuver opponents.
Mdawwara
A traditional Maltese team sport played with a leather ball, where the objective is to score points by throwing the ball through a hoop-like target.
Medieval Jousting
A combat sport from the Middle Ages where knights on horseback attempted to strike each other with lances, testing skill and bravery.
Megafootball
A variant of American football played on a larger field with fewer players, emphasizing open-field running and passing.
Megumi
A Japanese game involving a wooden ball and two paddles, similar to table tennis but played on a larger court.
Mehndi
A traditional Indian art form where intricate designs are created by applying henna paste to the hands and feet, often as part of cultural celebrations and ceremonies.
Meiyintang
A traditional Chinese game similar to badminton, where players use small rackets to keep a weighted shuttlecock airborne.
Mejorada
A traditional Mexican ice hockey-like game played on foot using curved wooden sticks and a wooden puck.
Melasti
A Hindu-Balinese ritual cleansing ceremony that involves communal processions and performances.
Melee
A combat-based competitive sport that involves the use of medieval-style weapons, such as swords, axes, and maces. Participants wear protective gear and engage in choreographed, non-contact combat.
Melon Bowling
Melon Bowling is a traditional Japanese game where players use sticks to knock down watermelons placed in a row. The game combines the fun of bowling with the refreshing taste of watermelon.
Men’s Rhythmic Gymnastics
A competitive gymnastics discipline for men that incorporates elements of dance, acrobatics, and the manipulation of various apparatus, such as hoops, balls, clubs, and ribbons.
Meodori
A traditional Korean game similar to badminton, played with a weighted shuttlecock and a low net.
Mepham
An old English game similar to association football, played with a ball and two small goals, with players aiming to score by kicking the ball through the goals.
Merellspel
A traditional Dutch game similar to checkers, played on an 8×8 board with 16 pieces per player, where the objective is to capture all of the opponent’s pieces.
Merellus
An ancient Roman game of strategy and skill, played on a grid-like board with movable pieces, similar to modern-day checkers or chess.
Meshi
A traditional Japanese game similar to Go, played on a 19×19 grid with black and white stones, where the objective is to surround more territory than the opponent.
Meshky
A traditional Iranian game involving a ball and two long-handled mallets, used to strike the ball through the opposing team’s goal.
Metanoia
An ancient Greek game of logic and strategy, played on a board with abstract shapes and patterns, requiring players to make deductive moves.
Meteu
An ancient Greek game involving the throwing of wooden discs or stones at a target.
Metli
A traditional Pakistani sport similar to field hockey, played with a small wooden ball and curved wooden sticks, where the objective is to hit the ball through the opponent’s goal.
Metraball
Metraball is a Brazilian sport similar to volleyball, played on a court with a net. Players hit a ball back and forth, trying to score points by landing the ball on the opponent’s side of the court.
Metronome Drumming
A musical and rhythmic exercise where drummers synchronize their playing to the steady beat of a metronome. Helps develop timing, coordination, and the ability to maintain a precise tempo.
Michegan
A variation of croquet played on a larger, more open field, allowing for longer and more complex shot-making strategies.
Midget Car Racing
A form of open-wheel auto racing featuring small, lightweight cars known as midgets.” They are highly maneuverable and capable of high speeds
Miglior Calcio Balilla
A competitive version of table football (foosball) with standardized rules and equipment.
Milkla
Milkla is a traditional Finnish game played with wooden paddles and a puck. Players take turns hitting the puck, aiming to score points by getting it past the opponent’s goal.
Milkshake Drinking Contest
A competitive eating event where participants try to drink a milkshake as quickly as possible, with the winner being the first to finish their drink.
Mill
Mill, also known as Nine Men’s Morris, is an ancient strategy game played on a board with a grid pattern. Players take turns placing and moving their pieces, trying to form a line of three to capture the opponent’s pieces.
Mini Bike Racing
A motorsport where small, lightweight motorcycles called mini bikes are raced on closed-circuit tracks, often in a dirt oval or road course format.
Mini Golf
A scaled-down version of traditional golf, played on a miniature course with obstacles and challenges, such as loops, tunnels, and water hazards. Often used as a recreational activity or for competitive tournaments.
Mini Polo
A variant of traditional polo played on a smaller field with smaller teams, using a smaller ball and shorter mallets, often as a training or recreational activity.
Mini-Javelin Throw
The Mini-Javelin Throw is a variation of the traditional javelin throw, using a smaller and lighter javelin. Participants aim to throw the mini-javelin as far as possible, showcasing their strength and accuracy.
Miniature Golf
Miniature golf, or ‘putt-putt,’ is a scaled-down version of traditional golf, played on a course with small, elaborate obstacles and hazards. Players use a putter to navigate the ball through the course, aiming to complete each hole with the fewest strokes possible.
Minigolf
A competitive sport similar to miniature golf, played on standardized, regulation-size courses with various obstacles and challenges, often with national and international competitions.
Mintonette
An early 20th century game invented by William G. Morgan, which later evolved into the modern sport of volleyball.
Mirador
A traditional Chilean team sport played with a large, inflated rubber ball, where the objective is to hit the ball through the opponent’s goal using any part of the body except the hands.
Misak
A traditional Iranian game similar to hockey, played with a wooden ball and long sticks on a grassy or dirt field.
Mohawk Lacrosse
A variant of the traditional Indigenous game of lacrosse played by the Mohawk people of North America.
Mollymawks
A type of hang gliding or paragliding sport where pilots launch themselves from high cliffs or hills and soar over the ocean, taking advantage of the strong winds and updrafts near coastal areas. Popular in New Zealand and other coastal regions.
Mongolian Ankle Tossing
A traditional Mongolian game where players toss sheep anklebones at a target, testing their aim and strategy.
Mongolian Archery
A traditional Mongolian martial art and competitive sport that involves firing arrows from a recurve bow at a distant target, with a focus on accuracy and form.
Mongolian Horse Racing
A traditional Mongolian horse racing event, where riders compete in long-distance races across open landscapes, testing the speed, endurance, and skill of both horse and rider.
Mongolian Wrestling
A traditional Mongolian grappling sport, one of the ‘Three Manly Sports of Mongolia’, focusing on technique, strength, and agility.
Monkey Ball
Monkey Ball is a game where players use their hands and feet to propel a ball through a series of obstacles and into a goal. The game requires agility, balance, and quick reflexes to navigate the challenging course.
Monkey Bridge
A traditional Vietnamese sport where teams of players must cross a bridge made of their own bodies, with the objective of being the first team to reach the other side without falling.
Monobob
A solo version of the bobsleigh event in the Winter Olympics, where a single athlete pilots a specialized sled down an icy track. Requires exceptional skill, balance, and control to navigate the high-speed, twisting course.
Monowheel
A unicycle-like vehicle with a single large wheel that the rider sits inside, powering and steering the device using their own movements and weight distribution.
Montainboard
A sport that combines elements of snowboarding, skateboarding, and surfing, where riders use a specialized board to navigate down steep, off-road terrain.
Montainboarding
A thrilling extreme sport where riders use specialized four-wheeled boards to descend steep, off-road terrain, similar to skateboarding on mountains.
Morabaraba
A traditional African strategy game, similar to tic-tac-toe, played on a 3×3 grid with distinctive game pieces.
Motocross
A form of off-road motorcycle racing that takes place on closed dirt circuits, featuring jumps, turns, and obstacles. Requires a high level of skill, physical fitness, and bike control to navigate the challenging terrain at high speeds.
Motocross Freestyle
A freestyle motocross competition where riders perform stunts and tricks, such as jumps, spins, and other acrobatic maneuvers, while navigating a course of obstacles and ramps.
Motocross Sidecar Racing
A form of motorcycle racing where a driver and passenger navigate a closed off-road circuit together in a sidecar-equipped motorcycle.
Motosports
A broad category of sports involving the use of motorcycles, including racing, freestyle stunts, off-road riding, and more.
Mountain Biking
A cycling discipline that involves riding specialized bicycles over rough, unpaved terrain, such as hills, forests, and mountains. Requires technical skills, balance, and the ability to navigate challenging obstacles and trails.
Mountain Boarding
A sport that combines elements of skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding, where riders use a specialized board with large, soft wheels to navigate down steep, off-road terrain. Requires balance, coordination, and the ability to control the board at high speeds.
Mountain Unicycling
A variant of unicycling that involves riding a single-wheeled vehicle over rough, uneven terrain, such as hills, trails, and obstacles. Requires exceptional balance, core strength, and the ability to navigate challenging environments on a unicycle.
Mousetrap Car Racing
A STEM-based competition where participants design and build small cars powered by the energy stored in one or more mousetraps, then race them against each other.
Muay Thai
A combat sport and national sport of Thailand, also known as Thai Boxing
Mud Football
A variant of American football played in muddy or wet conditions, often as a casual or recreational activity.
Mud Run
A obstacle course race that takes place in muddy or wet environments, often incorporating mud pits, water crossings, and other challenging terrain, testing the participants’ endurance and problem-solving skills.
Mud Soccer
A variation of soccer played in a muddy field or pitch, where players must navigate the slippery, soft terrain while trying to score goals, often resulting in a messy and physically demanding game.
Mudlarking
The practice of scavenging in the mud of river banks, particularly along the River Thames in London, to find historical artifacts and other items of interest.
Mukhota
A traditional Indian game involving the use of wooden discs or ‘mukhota’ that are thrown at a target or other discs to knock them down.
Muktuk
A traditional Inuit game where players take turns biting pieces of frozen muktuk (whale skin and fat) without using their hands, with the winner being the one who takes the largest bite.
Mulka
An ancient Egyptian board game played on a 5×5 grid, where the objective is to capture the opponent’s pieces by jumping over them, similar to checkers or draughts.
Muntjac Racing
A competitive sport where participants race small, deer-like animals called muntjacs around a track or course, often as a fundraising or conservation event.
Munzee
A location-based social game where players use a mobile app to discover, capture, and deploy virtual pins” at real-world locations
Mushball
A variant of softball played with a larger, softer ball, allowing for a more relaxed and social gameplay experience. Often used as a recreational activity or in community events.
Mystery Hunt
A team-based competitive event where participants work together to solve a series of complex puzzles, riddles, and challenges. Requires critical thinking, collaboration, and a diverse set of skills to uncover the hidden mystery.
Mystery Orienteering
A variant of orienteering where the course and checkpoints are not revealed until the start of the competition, challenging participants to navigate unfamiliar terrain and quickly adapt to the unknown challenges presented.

If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.