Top 10 Best Sports to Play

Sports have been a huge part of human culture for centuries, bringing people together, keeping them active, and providing an outlet for competition and teamwork. But with so many options out there, it can be tough to decide which ones are the best to play.

Some sports test your endurance, others challenge your coordination, and some are all about strategy. No matter your skill level or interests, there's something out there for everyone.

The Top Ten

Soccer

Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players each. It is played with a spherical ball. The objective is to score goals by getting the ball into the opposing team's net. Soccer is the most popular sport globally, governed by FIFA... read more

People underestimate soccer because they think all you have to do is kick the ball. You need to get past skilled defenders, stop tricky offensive players, and make the shot get past an agile goalie. Soccer is just as much of a physical game as a mental game. Foot skills are needed, and every time you get shoved down, you have to grit your teeth and come back fighting harder.

Sheer Popularity
Versatility
Inclusion
Fun
It's just the best sport ever. Anyone can play soccer. You don't have to be huge like in football or tall in basketball. There is no huge advantage to your size. It's about your skill, abilities, work ethic, and teamwork. One player rarely ever scores a solo goal, especially as you climb the skill ladder. It is hard work to get good. It isn't easy, it's incredibly fun, and it's the best.
Basketball

Basketball is a sport played by two teams of five players on a rectangular court. The objective is to shoot a ball through a hoop 18 inches in diameter and 10 feet high mounted to a backboard at each end. It is one of the most popular sports worldwide, especially in the United States, where the NBA is... read more

Basketball is just so exciting. No matter what point in the game it is, making a shot just gives you a kind of thrill that you can't get anywhere else. Injuries are rare, and even so, it is one of the most fast-paced and tough games to play. It takes a lot of skill to make a ball in a small basket. Basketball is the best sport because it has CLASS and requires skill, not just brute force, to play.

Basketball is the best sport to play because it is a game where you need to hustle. You are always moving your feet, and it takes arm strength to shoot. You also need speed.
Another reason is that you can play basketball when you are older. If you play football, good luck with that. It doesn't involve tackling. It is less barbaric.
Basketball is the way to go!
Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is a contact team sport played on ice, usually in a rink, in which two teams of skaters use their sticks to shoot a vulcanized rubber puck into their opponent's net to score points.
The sport is known for its speed, physicality, and strategic play. It is most popular in countries like... read more

No sport requires more training than hockey, except for maybe swimming. At a very young age (1-3), a kid has to live in a cold, big city where there is a rink or frozen pond nearby to practice. After a few years, the kid eventually gets gear for hockey and plays it.
After a few more years of practicing, the kid eventually heads to bigger leagues, where they will be met with hard blows from tough players. By an extremely slim chance, the kid becomes a man and makes it onto prospect teams. By an even slimmer chance, the man makes it to the NHL/AHL, where they have to play against the best. No other sport requires such skill and dedication to play, unlike those who think American football is the best.
Baseball

Baseball is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of nine players each who take turns batting and fielding. The game is widely considered the national pastime of the United States. Major League Baseball (MLB) is the sport's highest level of professional play in North America.

They play the most games out of all sports. Despite only having about 500 million fans, other sports fans, like maybe about one-third of soccer fans and two-fifths of cricket fans, should start being fans of baseball. America's favorite pastime last century, it's still a great sport!
It needs to start regrowing its popularity by gaining almost another billion fans. Baseball is so much fun to watch!
I wish Major League Baseball had been called Mega League Baseball instead. It could include all mega-cities with a city population of at least 3 million or a metro of over 8 million around the globe. American football fans who say all other sports suck are wrong. You just don't care about other sports.
Football

American football is a sport played by two teams of eleven players on a rectangular field with goalposts at each end. The game involves advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone to score points. It is most popular in the United States, with the NFL being the top professional league.

I play basketball, football, and volleyball. I prioritize football simply because the feeling of being a football player makes me feel like a better person. Basketball is a great sport, but it doesn't impact my life outside of the game in the same way.
The way someone presents themselves on a football field reveals a lot about their character. It is a great reward to do amazing things on the field. I play volleyball to keep myself active during the off-seasons.

Football is an amazing sport that requires a lot of consideration and effort. This is personally why I enjoy the sport more than others. It makes you extremely fit if effort is put in properly, and though there are a lot of rules, it expands your memory and experience.
I love football, and I think it deserves rank 1.
Volleyball

Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.
It is played both indoors and on sand, with beach volleyball being an Olympic event since 1996.

Volleyball teams get closer than any other sports team. We are always there for each other. We are family, and we support each other on and off the court. No sport I have played has had so much impact on my life.
Volleyball is the way to go, socially and athletically.

Favorite sport I play out of soccer, swim team, and basketball! Great way to meet new people and a fun, energetic team sport.

Volleyball is a great sport to play. It allows players to develop team-building skills and hustling skills.
Swimming

Swimming is an individual or team sport and activity. Competitive swimming is one of the most popular Olympic sports, with events in freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
It requires strong cardiovascular fitness and technique, and is also widely practiced as a low-impact form of... read more

Swimming is amazing! It's the best sport ever. How could anyone think that swimming is for babies, weak, pathetic, and makes you sluggish? I am a competitive swimmer, and it's not easy at all. For all of you who think swimming is weak, try swimming 400m (16 lengths). I challenge you to try that. You probably can't even make it halfway. I swim around 3000m/3km five days a week, and it is so tiring.
And then there's dry land training, which involves push-ups and similar exercises. Also, try swimming 5km in 98 minutes. It is super exhausting. Swimming is amazing.

If one swims, they become jacked. All of a swimmer's muscles are very well defined and are not the average man's bulky muscles which, by the time you're 70, will be very sore and painful because of the tension. Swimmers can achieve sexy, elegant, and flexible muscles without having backstabbing and damaging effects on the body when you're older.
Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a contact team sport played between two teams using a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse or lacrosse stick.
The objective is to score by shooting the ball into the opponent's goal. Lacrosse has several variations, including field lacrosse, box lacrosse, and... read more

I play boys' lacrosse and I am a defenseman. It is the greatest sport here. Only hockey comes close, since I play both. It is really fast-paced and is played in the heat. Also, the fun of lacrosse tournaments completely made my summers before I turned 13.
I don't want to be a sore loser, but in basketball, it requires no strength. Since when do you see a hulking basketball player check someone onto their butt? Not much. Also, in swimming, there is no object to it really. You just slap a rubber cap on and frolic.
I just committed to a D1 lacrosse school, Notre Dame, and it is the best day of my life. LAX is LIFE.

I play girls' lacrosse, and I think it is the best because they don't give random sports the title of the fastest sport on two legs for no good reason. So maybe some of you should open your eyes and smell the roses because you must be dreaming if you think basketball is the best! And I expect better from football players to be at the top. So where are you standing right now? Are you in front of the line of duty (haha - or also meant as danger for those who don't know), or are you behind the line of righteousness?
Gymnastics

Gymnastics is a sport involving the performance of exercises requiring strength, flexibility, balance, and control.
It includes various disciplines such as artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, and acrobatics. Gymnastics is a core sport in the Summer Olympic Games and is governed... read more

I used to do gymnastics. Contrary to popular belief, it takes a lot of skill and confidence to participate. The amount of training you'd have to go through is crazy. So yes, it counts as a sport.

Gymnastics is the best sport to play because you can always learn new skills, get better, and perfect the basics. You can also express yourself through the style of your routine and skills, not to mention how physically fit it makes you.
I love this sport, and I don't know how I could live without it.

Gymnastics is fun, both to watch and do. I have tried a lot of sports in my lifetime, but gymnastics is the only one I still do. More people should try gymnastics.
Rugby

Rugby is my second favorite sport after roller derby but is definitely better than the ones in front of it. It's not just because I'm from Australia, the best rugby country in the world.

Rugby is probably one of the most stereotyped games ever. If anyone says that it is rough, violent, or barbaric, they obviously have not played it.
PS: Soccer is for wimps.

The purest of team sports. Communication is vital. It's violent, fast-paced, powerful, skillful, and flashy (even more so with sevens). The culture is the best.

The Newcomers

?
Taekwondo

Taekwondo is an amazing sport! It requires discipline, speed, and loads of endurance.
Sparring can be really hard, especially against someone with a higher belt rank.
?
Paintball

The Contenders

Tennis

Tennis is a racket sport that can be played individually against a single opponent or between two teams of two players each.
Matches are played on various surfaces such as grass, clay, or hard court, each affecting gameplay differently. It is a globally popular sport with major tournaments including... read more

Great to play, similar to badminton. It requires speed, reflexes, and some strength. I find watching it at a high level a bit tedious, as the top players just go through formulaic routines.

Such a great sport to play. You make so many great memories, and you make friends for life by playing with others. It's great because you can be on a team, or you can be independent.

This sport is really good fun. It takes up a lot of energy and gives you a good workout.
Cheerleading

Cheerleading is a sport and performance activity that combines elements of dance, gymnastics, and acrobatics. It originated in the United States and has changed significantly over the years.
The activity has expanded beyond leading cheers for sports teams to become a highly competitive sport.... read more

I'm really glad this is included. I don't even cheer, but my little sis does, and Jesus, it's so hard. People really underestimate the guys and girls who cheer. They really work their tails off.

I love all of these sports, so the honorable mentions are everything. But cheerleading is fun and cool. I have experience.

Cheerleading strengthens your muscles.
Cricket

Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players on a cricket field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard-long pitch with a wicket, a set of three wooden stumps sited at each end. It is one of the most popular sports in countries like India, England, Australia, and... read more

The only reason cricket is this low is that most of the people voting are Americans. That's also the only reason baseball, American "football" (which you don't actually use your feet for), and basketball are so high. If you had as many Australians (me), Pakistanis, Brits, and Indians voting as there are Americans, cricket would no doubt be number one or two.
This list is so biased.

Cricket is a very good sport. It's so underrated as well. Some people find test matches boring, but T20 cricket matches are so exciting! If T20 matches were introduced internationally or in the Olympics, it would blast off!
Softball

I think softball is an amazing sport. I love baseball just as much, and we share the same plays and skills. Being pushed by a baseball player is like saying both sports are not worth pursuing because they are very similar in certain ways.
Don't get me wrong, softball is different from baseball, but the differences are slim. If you want a faster sport, I would recommend softball. If you prefer a slower sport, perhaps an all-day event, then baseball might be more to your liking. It just depends.

Softball is an amazing game. Most softball players get insulted and pushed down by baseball fanatics because they think we can't play. It's ridiculous because we train just as hard and just as long as any baseball player.
Why isn't this up on the list with baseball?
Track

I train in soccer and athletics (track), and I prefer track to soccer because it relieves stress by running and increases your endurance and speed. There are no preferences in captains, and there is no bribery in athletics, unlike soccer, where there is a lot of corruption.

I think track would be a good sport to play because it helps you increase your endurance and is a little less demanding.

Raw athleticism. Track runners, jumpers, and throwers are no joke.
Surfing

Surfing is a surface water sport in which the wave rider, referred to as a surfer, rides on the forward or deep face of a moving wave, which typically carries the surfer toward the shore. It originated in ancient Polynesian culture and spread globally in the 20th century, becoming especially popular... read more

I haven't surfed yet, but I will soon. I've been encouraged by a lot of people, mostly friends. This sport is amazing, in my opinion. You should really try it.

The feeling you get pulling into a wave is second only to sex.
Horseback Riding

Horseback riding, or equestrianism, is one of the most intense sports known to man. It is physically challenging but also requires more than just athleticism. The sport demands commitment, time, patience, and most importantly, building a bond with your horse.... read more

Horse riding is so fun! I go to a barn and ride. My favorite horse died, and so did his owner. This is a sport. I don't care what people say! Some say basketball is thrilling because you have to move, but in my opinion, horses are the best animals (sorry, dogs and others). The only problem is the cost. I clean stalls for riding time.
Ask your parents if there is a local barn, and then see if you can clean stalls for riding time. Horses are such sweet and daring animals. Be safe while riding, but have fun! Thank you for reading.

Horseback riding is actually a lot harder than you think. You have to maintain balance and stay connected with your horse.
Cycling

It is very calming and a lot of fun. It helps me with my mental and physical health.

Cycling can be done at any level, from purely recreational to mountain bike and race bike competition.

It's the best sport in the world!
Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed martial arts is a full-contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, from a variety of other combat sports and martial arts.
It gained mainstream popularity through organizations such as the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship... read more
Golf

Golf is a club and ball sport in which players use various clubs to hit balls into a series of holes from a range of 80 to 600 yards on a course in as few strokes as possible.
The game is played on outdoor courses with varying terrains, typically consisting of 18 holes. Major professional tournaments... read more

The best thing about golf is that you can set your own pace. You can be a competitive golfer without the need to rush yourself or "play hard."

This game is so hard to master, which is what makes it so good. You'll never stop trying to improve your game.

Golf is the greatest! My dad taught me almost everything I know about golf.
Bowling

The only fun sport, in my opinion. You also have to use every part of your body, including your brain, because you need to think about how to get a strike 100% of the time.

Bowling is so much fun. I could bowl for hours and never get bored.
Field Hockey

Field hockey is a team sport played on a grass or turf field, involving two teams of 11 players each. The objective is to use a curved stick to hit a small, hard ball into the opponent's goal. Originating in the British Isles, the sport has gained global popularity and is especially well-known in regions... read more

Best sport ever. So dynamic, so fast, so fun to watch and play. Makes great groups. Takes lots of effort and sacrifice, but it is all worth it.
Badminton

Badminton is a racquet sport played using racquets to hit a shuttlecock across a net. Although it may be played with larger teams, the most common forms of the game are "singles" and "doubles."
It is an Olympic sport with fast-paced gameplay and requires quick reflexes and agility. Badminton is... read more

To those people who are well-advised or even in search of the truth, badminton is their sport. If you play it with proper equipment in indoor spaces dedicated to this awesome sport, there simply is nothing that even comes close. Exhilarating speed, power, soft touch, extremely explosive rallies, and tremendous stamina and speed are only some of what you'll see.
Most people, when exposed to top players' skills, are aghast and dumbfounded. It makes what they perceive as badminton look like a children's picnic. These top world players are very premium athletes who go through a training and conditioning regimen like no other. Just Google This is Badminton, and you might get my drift. Cheers!
Skateboarding

Skateboarding is an action sport that involves riding and performing tricks using a skateboard. It is also considered a recreational activity, an art form, a profession, and a method of transportation. Skateboarding originated in the United States in the 1940s and 1950s and has grown into a global culture... read more

Not sure if I'd call it a sport, but it's definitely one of the more fun things on this list.
Muggle Quidditch

Quidditch is awesome. I particularly love how the game continues endlessly until the Snitch is caught. It's way better than sports like soccer with a time limit. Also, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to fly around on a broomstick. That would be awesome, with or without the bludgers!

I really can't imagine life without broomsticks. It's way better than all those Muggle sports.