Sports trivia questions are the perfect way to challenge a friend or colleague to a fun icebreaker. You can ask a question and see if he or she can provide the right answer on some of the most common to challenging sports trivia questions.
Sports Trivia
Explore this list of trivia questions around a sporting event, athlete, game rule, or general nice-to-know information on your favorite sport. Or try looking into trivia about a sport you don’t know well too.
Sports Trivia Questions and Answers
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In what year was the first modern Olympic Games held? | â–¶ 1896 |
Which athlete has won the most Olympic medals? | â–¶ Michael Phelps |
In which sport does the bowler deliver the ball to the batsman? | â–¶ Cricket |
In what country did table tennis originate? | â–¶ England |
A shuttlecock is used in what sport? | â–¶ Badminton |
Where did the sport of curling originate? | â–¶ Scotland |
The Walker Law passed in 1920 in New York was a law regulating which sport? | â–¶ Boxing |
What do the letters in NCAA, the name of the association that regulates athletes, stand for? | â–¶ National Collegiate Athletic Association |
NASCAR is an acronym for what family-owned and operated business? | â–¶ The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing |
The Grand Slam tournaments are the four most import annual events in which two sports? | â–¶ Tennis & Golf |
Shaquille Rashaun O’Neal retired in 2011 from what sport? | â–¶ Basketball |
In what year was the 4 minute mile first achieved? | â–¶ 1954 by Roger Bannister in 3:59.4 |
The Kangaroo Hoppet is a long distance cross-country skiing race that is held in which county? | â–¶ Australia |
Which five-times Grand Slam tennis champion tested positive for a banned substance at the 2016 Australian Open? | â–¶ Maria Sharapova |
What is the highest score possible in 10 pin bowling? | â–¶ 300 |
What sport does Cristiano Ronaldo play? | â–¶ Soccer (football) |
The Stanley Cup is a championship trophy awarded annually to the playoff winner in what sport? | â–¶ Hockey |
What country was host to the 1930 inaugural FIFA Football World Cup? | â–¶ Uruguay |
In sports, what does the acronym MVP stand for? | â–¶ Most valuable player |
Which country won the 2012 UEFA European Championship? | â–¶ Spain |
What is the real name of the former wrestler turned actor who went by the ring name “The Rock”? | â–¶ Dwayne Douglas Johnson |
Which tennis player has won the most men’s Grand Slam titles? | â–¶ Roger Federer |
What is professional wrestler John Cena’s famous catchphrase? | â–¶ You can’t see me! |
Who is the longest reigning heavyweight boxing champion with 25 successful defenses? | â–¶ Joe Louis |
Anthony Jerome “Spud” Webb retired from what professional sport in 1997? | â–¶ Basketball |
The Heisman Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in which college sport? | â–¶ Football |
“Game, set, match” is an expression used to indicate a competitor has won the game in which sport? | â–¶ Tennis |
Ozeki and yokozuna are the top ranks in which sport? | â–¶ Sumo wrestling |
In what sport does a jammer score a point for each opponent she skates past? | â–¶ Roller Derby |
In boxing, what is the term for an illegal punch to the back of the head or base of the skull? | â–¶ Rabbit Punch |
What skipper lost the 1983 America’s Cup and then won the Cup back in 1987? | â–¶ Dennis Conner |
Who is the only former heavyweight boxing champ to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery? | â–¶ Joe Louis |
In 2012, Magic Johnson became part owner of which Major League Baseball team? | â–¶ Los Angeles Dodgers |
In 2018, what video technology was used for the first time in a FIFA World Cup? | â–¶ Video Assistant Referees (VARs) |
MMA is the acronym for what full-contact combat sport? | â–¶ Mixed Martial Arts |
What two sisters faced each other in the finals of the French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open in 2002? | â–¶ Venus and Serena Williams |
Which water sport is the official state individual sport of Hawaii? | â–¶ Surfing |
Who was the first ever wrestler to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame? | ▶ André the Giant |
Who proclaimed “I am the greatest” after defeating Sonny Liston for the world heavyweight title? | â–¶ Muhammad Ali (Cassius Clay) |
In the sport of professional bicycle racing, what are the three Grand Tours? | â–¶ The Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. |
What is the name of both the championship game of the Canadian Football League and the trophy awarded to the victorious team? | â–¶ The Grey Cup |
A. J. Foyt was the first race car driver to win what race four times? | â–¶ The Indianapolis 500 |
St. Augustine Florida is the home to the hall of fame for what sport? | â–¶ Golf (The World Golf Hall of Fame) |
In Darts, what is the highest possible score using three darts? | â–¶ 180 (All three darts landing on triple 20) |
In 1957, who became the first African American to win Wimbledon? | â–¶ Althea Gibson |
Indianapolis 500 winners traditionally celebrate by drinking what beverage? | â–¶ Milk |
South Africa native Arthur D’Arcy “Bobby” Locke was an professional player in which sport? | â–¶ Golf |
Which team won the original XFL championship game in 2001? | â–¶ Los Angeles Xtreme |
Handsome Dan is a bulldog who serves as the mascot of which university’s sports teams? | â–¶ Yale University |
Who was the first black baseball player to play in the major leagues? | â–¶ Moses Fleetwood Walker |
How many soccer players should be on the field at the same time? | â–¶ Twenty Two |
Where is the baseball hall of fame located? | â–¶ Cooperstown, New York |
What year was the first Super Bowl played? | â–¶ 1967 |
In hockey, what is known as a hat trick? | â–¶ When a player scores three goals in a single game. |
What female singer had an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction during the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show? | â–¶ Janet Jackson |
What football teams have never made it to the Super Bowl? | â–¶ Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars |
What was the NBA player Kobe Bryant named after? | â–¶ Kobe beef |
How many teams are there in the American National Football League? | â–¶ 32 |
What do golfers shout to warn other golfers when they hit an errant shot? | â–¶ Fore |
What type of animal is the mascot for the Oakland Athletics baseball team? | â–¶ Elephant |
How much money is a US Olympic gold medalist awarded? | â–¶ $25,000 |
In what year did the Houston Texans become a team in the US National Football League? | â–¶ 2002 |
How many holes are there in a full round of golf? | â–¶ Eighteen |
In 1998, what Major League Baseball player broke the single season home run record previously set by Roger Maris? | â–¶ Mark McGwire |
Which team won the National Football League’s first Super Bowl? | â–¶ The Green Bay Packers |
What was the first wild card NFL team to win the Super Bowl? | â–¶ The 1980 Oakland Raiders |
In 1998, what Major League Baseball player broke the single season home run record previously set by Roger Maris? | â–¶ Mark McGwire |
How many Super Bowl Rings did Troy Aikman win? | â–¶ Three with the Dallas Cowboys. |
What city hosted the 2012 Summer Olympics? | â–¶ London, England |
Who was the last professional hockey player to play without a helmet? | â–¶ Craig MacTavish |
Who was the shortest player ever to play in the NBA? | â–¶ Tyrone Bogues, better known as Muggsy Bogues |
Which team won the 2016 Super Bowl? | â–¶ Denver Broncos |
Tiger Woods became a professional golfer in what year? | â–¶ 1996 |
Which hockey player has won the most Stanley Cups with 11 wins? | â–¶ Henri Richard |
Finish this phrase: You drive for show, but putt for “_____”? | â–¶ Dough |
El Clásico is the name given to football (soccer) matches between which two teams? | ▶ Real Madrid and FC Barcelona |
What is the regulation height for a basketball hoop? | â–¶ 10 feet (3.048 m) |
Which NFL Quarterback has been to the most Super Bowls? | â–¶ Tom Brady |
In what year was the “Perfect 10” scoring system in gymnastics abandoned? | â–¶ 2006 |
How many super bowls have the Denver Broncos won? | â–¶ Three |
Who was the first pinch hitter to score a home run in World Series play? | â–¶ Yogi Berra |
Who was the first Latin American born player to play in Major League Baseball? | â–¶ Luis Manuel Castro |
Which team did the Chicago Cubs play in the 1945 World Series? | â–¶ Detroit Tigers |
According to NBA rules how long does a player have after catching the ball to shoot a free throw? | â–¶ 10 seconds |
In hockey, how many players from each team are allowed to be on the ice at the same time? | â–¶ Six |
What is the name of Atlanta’s major league baseball team? | â–¶ Atlanta Braves |
Barry Bonds currently holds the Major League Baseball home run record with how many home runs? | â–¶ 762 |
What were the six original Hockey teams of the National Hockey League? | â–¶ Boston Bruins, Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, and Toronto Maple Leafs |
What football team had the biggest scoring comeback in the history of the Super Bowl? | â–¶ Patriots (Super Bowl LI) |
What is the most common type of pitch thrown by pitchers in baseball? | â–¶ Fastball |
Who is the only head basketball coach to win both an NCAA national championship and an NBA title? | â–¶ Larry Brown |
In what year did the Houston Texans join the NFL? | â–¶ 2002 |
Lambeau Field is the home field of which National Football League team? | â–¶ Green Bay Packers |
Bobby Fischer is considered by many to be the greatest player of all time in which game? | â–¶ Chess |
Who was the first golfer to win the Masters Tournament two years in a row? | â–¶ Jack Nicklaus |
Which NFL team overcame a 25-point deficit to win the 2017 Super Bowl? | â–¶ New England Patriots |
What is the most popular spectator sport in Australia? | â–¶ Australian Rules Football |
Who is the all time leading point scorer in NBA history? | â–¶ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar |
What was major league baseball’s Yogi Berra’s real name? | â–¶ Lawrence Peter Berra |
Which baseball team won the first World Series championship in 1903? | â–¶ Boston Americans |
What is the national sport of Japan? | â–¶ Sumo |
What NHL hockey player was nicknamed “The Golden Jet”? | â–¶ Bobby Hull |
What NBA player was known as “The Pearl”? | â–¶ Earl Monroe |
What international event for athletes with disabilities is held in the same years and cities as the Olympic Games? | â–¶ The Paralympic Games |
The 1927 New York Yankees batting order, including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, was known by what nickname? | â–¶ Murderer’s Row |
Ice hockey pucks are made from what material? | â–¶ Vulcanized rubber |
Professional footballer Lionel Messi was born in which country? | â–¶ Argentina |
What Catholic prayer lends its name to a very long forward pass thrown with time running out in American football? | â–¶ Hail Mary |
What is called when a player scores two goals in a game of soccer? | â–¶ A brace |
What was the first all-professional baseball team with salaried players? | â–¶ Cincinnati Red Stockings |
How many teams are in the American National Football league? | â–¶ 32 Teams |
Who holds the record for the most home runs in a single major league baseball season? | â–¶ Barry Bonds, with 73 home runs in 2001. |
What is the name of the Las Vegas professional ice hockey team that began play in the 2017–18 NHL season? | ▶ The Vegas Golden Knights |
Who is the only basketball player to score 100 points in a single NBA game? | â–¶ Wilt Chamberlain |
What are the official winter and summer sports of Canada? | â–¶ Ice hockey and lacrosse |
In Olympic archery, what is the standard distance of the target from the archer? | â–¶ 70 Meters |
The NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies formerly played in what Canadian city? | â–¶ Vancouver |
With 208 touchdowns, which player holds the record for the most touchdowns in the American National Football League? | â–¶ Jerry Rice |
Which soccer star ended his career by playing a half for each team in an exhibition match? | ▶ Pelé (Edson Arantes do Nascimento) |
Which Korean martial art literally means “the way of the foot and fist”? | â–¶ Taekwondo |
In basketball, what is the term used when a player reaches double digits in three of five statistical categories? | â–¶ Triple-double |
What Winter Olympic sport features stones, sheets, pebbles, and houses? | â–¶ Curling |
Every Major League Baseball team retired uniform number 42 to honor what barrier-breaking player? | â–¶ Jackie Robinson |
What former Chicago Bears teammate won a Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach and a head coach? | â–¶ Mike Ditka |
In baseball and softball what do the initials RBI stand for? | â–¶ Run batted in |
Soldier Field is an American football stadium that is home to which NFL team? | â–¶ Chicago Bears |
Which two baseball teams played in the 2000 World Series, sometimes called the “Subway Series”? | â–¶ The New York Yankees and the New York Mets |
In 1977 at age 34, who became the youngest inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame? | â–¶ Gale Sayers |
What is the only Major League Baseball team to never make it to the World Series? | â–¶ Seattle Mariners |
Basketball great Kobe Bryant played his entire 20-year career with which team? | â–¶ Los Angeles Lakers |
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based which state? | â–¶ Missouri |
In baseball, what is the term for a player that is in the batting order to hit only but not play defense? | â–¶ Designated Hitter |
In 1983, what two NBA teams set the record for the highest scoring regular-season game with a final score of 186-184? | â–¶ Denver Nuggets and Detroit Pistons |
What is the name of the professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Canada? | â–¶ Toronto Maple Leafs |
From 1965 to 1973, Dick Butkus played professional football as a linebacker for which NFL team? | â–¶ Chicago Bears |
At 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m), who was the shortest player ever to play in the National Basketball Association? | â–¶ Muggsy Bogues |
Which basketball team did Michael Jordan play for in college? | â–¶ University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Who is the only athlete ever to play in a Super Bowl and a World Series? | â–¶ Deion Sanders |
What do letters in the the acronym SCUBA stand for? | â–¶ Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus |
“Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything” is a Nike advertisement associated with what former NFL player? | â–¶ Colin Kaepernick |
What “King” of golf lent his name to a mixture of iced tea and lemonade? | â–¶ Arnold Palmer |
In what country were the Winter Olympics first held? | â–¶ France (1924) |
Who is the only professional athlete in history to have been named an All-Star in both baseball and football? | â–¶ Bo Jackson |
In what major Canadian city would you find the Lord Stanley’s Gift Monument? | â–¶ Ottawa |
About the Author
Tim majored in Humanities with a bachelor in English and Theatre at New York State University. He lectured on entertainment business studies for three years at Plymouth College.
Tim has been a trivia host in his current hometown of Pittsburgh for the past two years. He enjoys hanging out with people who love trivia just as much as he does.
His friends call him the Question Master.