Team sports involve competitive games where players work together as a unit towards a common goal. The cooperation, coordination, and community created through team sports provides invaluable life lessons. In this guide, we will explore popular examples of team sports played around the world. We’ll cover team sports like football, soccer, basketball, baseball, rugby, hockey, cricket, volleyball, and more. For each sport, we’ll discuss the basics of how it is played, governing bodies, major competitions, origins, global popularity, equipment needed, and professional leagues. Whether you are looking to participate in team sports yourself or gain more appreciation for them as a spectator, this guide offers a comprehensive overview of the most beloved team sports worldwide.

Association Football/Soccer

The most popular team sport globally with over 4 billion fans, association football is better known as “soccer” in North America.

How It’s Played

Two teams of 11 players compete on a rectangular field to score goals by kicking a ball into the opposing team’s net. Only the goalkeeper can use hands. Teams advance the ball downfield through a combination of short passes, individual dribbling, and defensive pressure. Matches last 90 minutes total with two 45-minute halves and a halftime break.

Governing Bodies

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) governs soccer globally. Six regional confederations manage soccer in different continents under FIFA.

Major Competitions

The FIFA World Cup, held every four years, is soccer’s premier event. Other major tournaments are the continental championships like the Euros and Copa America. Top leagues include the English Premier League, Spain’s La Liga, and Germany’s Bundesliga. The UEFA Champions League pits the best European clubs together.

Origins and History

Modern soccer originated in England in the 19th century, building on earlier forms of football played going back centuries. England’s Football Association standardized rules in 1863 that spread internationally. FIFA formed in 1904 to govern the sport globally.

Global Popularity

Soccer is the national sport in most countries. It is extremely popular across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Soccer continues growing in the US. Over 250 million players worldwide are involved in soccer.

Equipment and Setup

Soccer requires a ball, goals with nets, field, cleats/boots, and minimal protective equipment like shin guards. Matches are played on grass or artificial turf. Teams wear numbered jerseys and shorts.

Professional Leagues

Besides domestic leagues, top continental pro leagues include the UEFA Champions League in Europe, the AFC Champions League in Asia, and the CONCACAF Champions League in North America. The best players compete in these leagues, especially in Europe.

American Football

American football is a fast-paced collision sport with tremendously complex strategy for gaining yardage and scoring touchdowns.

How It’s Played

Teams of 11 players aim to advance the oval-shaped ball downfield toward the end zone. The team with the ball (offense) attempts to gain 10 yards in four downs. If successful, they earn a new set of downs to gain another 10 yards until scoring. The defending team tries stopping them through tackles, interceptions, and more. Games consist of four 15-minute quarters.

Governing Body

The National Football League (NFL) governs pro and amateur American Football in the US. College football is run by the NCAA, high school football by state associations, and youth leagues by Pop Warner.

Major Competitions

The NFL season culminates in the massively popular Super Bowl championship game. At the college level, teams compete for a national championship through events like bowl games and playoffs. High school state championships generate local excitement.

Origins and History

American football evolved from rugby and association football roots in the late 19th century, with Walter Camp credited as integral to establishing many key rules. The early professional league AFL merged with the NFL in 1970. The Super Bowl era lifted the NFL to become a television ratings juggernaut.

Global Popularity

American football remains most popular at the professional, college, high school, and youth levels in the United States. But the sport is slowly gaining fans internationally, especially in Europe and Asia. Mexico also maintains a strong collegiate football tradition.

Equipment and Setup

American football requires a football, field with end zones, helmets, pads, and uniforms. Games are played on grass or artificial turf. Teams wear padded uniforms and specialized equipment for protection.

Professional League

The NFL is the premier professional league consisting of 32 franchises divided between the NFC and AFC conferences. It remains the most lucrative and popular professional sports league in America with massive revenues and viewership.

Basketball

Basketball is a fast-paced sport played between two teams of five players who aim to score points by shooting a ball through a hoop. It is characterized by dynamic athleticism and non-stop action.

How It’s Played

Teams advance the ball upcourt by dribbling or passing towards their hoop. Players score by shooting the ball through the elevated hoop, either from field goal range or closer by the net. Defenses try preventing scores by challenging shots, stealing the ball, and forcing turnovers. Games consist of four 12-minute quarters.

Governing Body

The National Basketball Association (NBA) governs professional basketball internationally. College basketball is overseen by the NCAA, high school by state associations, and youth leagues by organizations like AAU.

Major Competitions

The NBA season ends with the NBA Finals championship series. In college, teams compete in March Madness and other tournaments for a national title. High school basketball includes exciting state championships.

Origins and History

Basketball was invented in 1891 by Canadian professor James Naismith and initially played at the YMCA. Professional leagues formed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coalescing around the NBA, which launched in 1946. The sport has soared globally since.

Global Popularity

Basketball is one of the most participated and watched team sports worldwide. It is popular across North America, Europe, South America, China, Australia, and Africa. Over 800 million people play basketball recreationally.

Equipment and Setup

Basketball requires a court with baskets, a ball, and minimal gear like uniforms, shoes, and optional headbands, wristbands etc. The sport can be played indoors or outdoors on hardwood or blacktop.

Professional League

The NBA is the premier global basketball league, with 30 teams split into the Eastern and Western Conferences. It attracts the best talent in the world across its 450 roster spots. NBA average attendance, ratings, and revenues lead American pro sports.

Volleyball

Volleyball is a fast-paced indoor or beach court sport contested between two teams separated by a net who score points by grounding the ball in their opponent’s court.

How It’s Played

Teams volley a ball back and forth over a net aiming to ground it in the opponent’s court. Players can hit the ball up to 3 times before sending it back over. Rotating players move clockwise around the court after gaining serve. Matches consist of sets and points capped at 25.

Governing Body

The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) governs indoor and beach volleyball globally. Domestic volleyball leagues fall under regional confederations like USA Volleyball. The NCAA runs college volleyball.

Major Competitions

The FIVB Volleyball World Championships and Volleyball World Cup are top international events along with the Olympics. Each continent also holds major championships. College volleyball includes NCAA tournaments, while beach volleyball has the AVP tour.

Origins and History

Volleyball originated in the United States in 1895 invented by William G. Morgan. It spread internationally by the early 20th century, with early Olympic exhibition play leading to official inclusion in 1964. Professional leagues formed in the 1970s onward.

Global Popularity

Volleyball is popular worldwide, especially as a recreational sport. Over 800 million people play volleyball around the world. Indoor volleyball dominates in Europe and South America, while beach volleyball is huge in North America.

Equipment and Setup

Volleyball requires a court, a net, a ball, and minimal uniform gear. Rotation of players around the court is a key element requiring no specialized equipment. Games take place indoors or on sand courts.

Professional Leagues

The main professional indoor leagues are Russia’s Super League, Italy’s Serie A1, Poland’s PlusLiga, Iran’s League, and others concentrated in Europe with growth in Asia. The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour spans events globally, while the AVP Beach Tour is held across the United States.

Baseball/Softball

Baseball is a sport played between two teams who take turns batting and fielding. The batting team attempts to score runs by hitting the ball and running the bases, while the fielding team tries recording outs.

How It’s Played

The batting team sends a player to hit pitches from the pitcher and attempt to safely reach bases and score runs. The fielding team occupies set positions to try catching hits and getting outs. Teams switch between batting and fielding each half-inning. Games last 9 innings.

Governing Body

In the United States and Canada, Major League Baseball (MLB) governs professional baseball and works with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) internationally. Baseball and softball are united under the WBSC.

Major Competitions

In pro baseball, teams compete annually for the World Series title. International events include the World Baseball Classic and Premier12 tourneys. Baseball is also in the Olympics. College baseball includes the College World Series.

Origins and History

Baseball descended from old stick and ball games evolving into a standardized sport in the mid-1800s in America. The National League (1876) and American League (1901) formed the basis for MLB’s creation in 1903. Baseball rapidly grew into “America’s Pastime” in the early 20th century.

Global Popularity

Baseball is most popular in North America, East Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. While lagging behind soccer/football and cricket globally, baseball still has between 300-500 million fans worldwide. It continues expanding internationally.

Equipment and Setup

Baseball requires bats, balls, gloves, bases, helmets, and more specialized gear. Games are played on a cleared grass or artificial turf field arranged into a diamond shape featuring bases and a pitcher’s mound.

Professional League

Major League Baseball is the premier professional league worldwide featuring 30 teams split between the American League and National League. It boasts over $10 billion in annual revenues and is the second most attended pro sports league in the world after European soccer.

Cricket

Cricket is a globally popular bat and ball sport contested between two teams on a field where batters attempt to score runs while the fielding team aims to contain runs and take wickets.

How It’s Played

The batting team attempts to score runs by striking the ball and running between wickets. The bowling team strategically delivers the ball and fields it to limit runs and dismiss batters by hitting wickets. Innings alternate between teams until a winner is decided.

Governing Body

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the governing body globally, while national cricket federations like Cricket Australia or the England and Wales Cricket Board govern the sport in each cricket-playing country.

Major Competitions

International cricket is highlighted by the Cricket World Cup. Domestic leagues include internationally renowned competitions like the Indian Premier League. The Ashes series between England and Australia is one of the biggest rivalries.

Origins and History

Cricket originated in England in the 16th century, evolving over centuries before the codification of rules in the late 18th century. The first official international matches took place in the 19th century. The ICC formed in 1909 to administer cricket globally.

Global Popularity

Cricket has around 2.5 billion fans. It is massively popular across the British Commonwealth including the Indian subcontinent, Australia, England, South Africa, and more. Professional T20 leagues continue growing the sport worldwide.

Equipment and Setup

Cricket requires a large grass field, bats, ball, wickets, protective gear, and uniforms including pads. The playing pitch features a central strip of hardened clay in the middle of an open grass field. Matches range from hours to days.

Professional Leagues

International cricket involving national teams is the highest level. But top professional leagues like the Indian Premier League are increasingly popular. Other major pro leagues exist in Australia, England, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and South Africa, which attract global talent.

Ice Hockey

Ice hockey is a fast-paced team sport played between two sides of skaters competing to drive a small rubber disk (puck) into the opposing team’s goal with hooked sticks.

How It’s Played

Teams pass and shoot the puck across the ice aiming to score goals in the net. Players skate, stickhandle, hit, block shots, and defend rigorously. Hockey emphasizes speed, contact, scoring, and strong goaltending. Games consist of three 20-minute periods.

Governing Body

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) governs worldwide hockey. Most countries also have their own governing hockey bodies that oversee leagues and national teams.

Major Competitions

The Olympic ice hockey tournaments and IIHF World Championships feature prominently. The NHL season finishes with the Stanley Cup playoffs and championship series. Beyond North America and Europe, leagues are growing in Russia, Scandinavia, and China.

Origins and History

Hockey originated from stick and ball games dating back centuries. Rules evolved in late 19th century Canada leading to the first organized indoor games. Professional leagues appeared in the early 20th century, coalescing around the NHL by 1917 which drove the sport’s growth.

Global Popularity

Ice hockey enjoys immense popularity across North America, Europe, and Russia. It continues growing in Asia, particularly in China due to government investment. Hockey has around 400 million fans globally as a participation and spectator sport.

Equipment and Setup

Hockey requires equipment like skates, sticks, helmets, pads, nets, and pucks. The game takes place in specialized ice hockey rinks with walled playing surfaces and goals at each end surrounded by seats.

Professional League

The NHL is the premier pro hockey league worldwide, consisting of 32 teams split between the Eastern and Western Conferences. It boasts the best players globally attracting spectators and huge sponsorships and broadcast deals.

Rugby Union and Rugby League

Rugby refers to a family of football-like team sports featuring scrums, lineouts, tackling, and more. The two main codes are rugby union and rugby league.

How It’s Played

Two teams of 15 (union) or 13 (league) compete to carry an oval ball downfield and ground it over the opponent’s try line to score. Tackling, scrums, lineouts, kicking, and running with the ball advance play. They derive from common football roots but diverged into separate codes by the late 19th century.

Governing Bodies

World Rugby governs rugby union globally while the Rugby Football League (RFL) oversees rugby league. Each sport has governing bodies in individual countries as well.

Major Competitions

In union, the top events are the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations Championship, and The Rugby Championship involving national teams. Rugby league highlights include the World Cup and State of Origin series. Domestic club leagues garner large crowds in each sport too.

Origins and History

Rugby emerged from British public school football games in the early 1800s at Rugby School, leading to the formation of rugby football. It diverged into union and league codes by the late 1800s as rules and professionalism differentiated the sports.

Global Popularity

Rugby union enjoys immense popularity across the British commonwealth, France, South Africa, Japan and more at both international and club levels. Rugby league is most popular in Australia, England, and New Zealand, with growth in Canada and the USA.

Equipment and Setup

Rugby requires minimal equipment like a ball, field, and flags. Protective gear like pads and helmets are optional. Fields are typically expansive, 120 meters long with try zones on each end. Games consist of 40-minute halves.

Professional Leagues

Top pro leagues exist within both main codes of rugby globally. In union, leagues include the Premiership in England, Pro14 in Ireland/Scotland/Wales/Italy, Top 14 in France, and Super Rugby across the Southern Hemisphere. Rugby league features the professional Super League primarily across Europe.

Water Polo

Water polo is a competitive team aquatic sport between two sides who attempt to throw a ball into the opponent’s goal by passing and shooting it with one hand while treading water.

How It’s Played

Teams of six field players and a goalkeeper aim to score goals by throwing the ball into a net defended by the opposing goalie. Players pass and shoot using one hand while constantly moving in the water. Games consist of four quarters ranging from 4-10 minutes each depending on the level.

Governing Body

The international governing body FINA (Fédération internationale de natation) oversees rules and governance of water polo leagues and competitions worldwide along with other aquatic sports like swimming.

Major Competitions

The Olympics and FINA World Championships feature water polo at the international level. Professional club leagues exist across Europe, while collegiate water polo is popular in the United States, culminating in the NCAA Championships.

Origins and History

Water polo originated midway through the 19th century in England as an aquatic version of field polo played in rivers and lakes. Standardized rules developed over decades, with the sport featuring prominently at early Olympic Games. Professionalization advanced in the 20th century.

Global Popularity

Water polo is popular at both recreational and competitive levels globally but does not have as massive a fan base as some other team sports. It is widely participated in North America, Europe, Australia, and has grown well in China. Over 800,000 athletes play water polo worldwide.

Equipment and Setup

Water polo requires swim caps, balls, nets, and minimal gear given play in a pool.

Professional Leagues

Professional water polo leagues exist primarily across Europe and attract the world’s best talent. Top pro leagues include the LEN Euro League, A1 Ethniki in Greece, and Serie A1 in Italy. International club competitions like the FINA Water Polo World Cup also showcase pro-level water polo.

Field Hockey

Field hockey is a team sport played between two sides of 11 players who strike a hard, plastic ball across a field aiming to score goals by shooting into cages with hooked sticks.

How It’s Played

Using hockey sticks, players pass, dribble, and shoot trying to score past the opposing goalkeeper. Teams include forwards, midfielders, defenders and a goalie. Field hockey emphasizes passing skills, speed, and tactical playmaking. Matches consist of two 35-minute halves.

Governing Body

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) governs field hockey internationally, setting rules and organizing events and leagues around the world. Continental and national federations manage local leagues and teams.

Major Competitions

The FIH Men’s and Women’s World Cups, Olympics, and Pro League highlight field hockey globally. Top professional leagues include India’s Hockey India League which attracts the world’s best players with lucrative salaries.

Origins and History

Versions of field hockey date back centuries, developing out of various folk games involving balls and sticks. The modern version originated in mid-19th century England, leading to the first hockey association in 1885 and international matches by the early 1900s.

Global Popularity

Field hockey enjoys widespread participation and fandom across Europe, South Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Americas. It is a major sport in India, Pakistan, Australia and the Netherlands among other countries. Around 2-3 million compete globally.

Equipment and Setup

Field hockey requires specialized hockey sticks with curved heads, a small dense ball, shin guards, turf shoes, and goal cages. It is played on a rectangular grass or artificial turf field about 91m long with goals on each endline.

Professional League

Field hockey continues to turn increasingly professional across both men’s and women’s leagues worldwide. Top countries with pro field hockey include Australia, Germany, Netherlands, India, and Belgium. The FIH Pro League features 9 pro teams across both genders battling annually.

Lacrosse

Lacrosse is a fast-paced team sport where players use netted sticks to pass, catch, and shoot a ball along a field trying to score by shooting into the opposing goal.

How It’s Played

Two teams of 10 compete to score goals by shooting into the opponent’s netted goal. Players advance the ball downfield throwing and catching with lacrosse sticks. The sport emphasizes stick skills, speed, physicality, and scoring. Games consist of four 15-minute quarters.

Governing Body

The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) serves as the global governing body overseeing rules, competition, and development internationally. Lacrosse also has national governing bodies like US Lacrosse in America.

Major Competitions

In international lacrosse, the FIL World Lacrosse Championships and World Indoor Lacrosse Championships are major events, as is lacrosse at the Summer Olympics. The National Lacrosse League and Premier Lacrosse League are professional indoor leagues in North America. NCAA lacrosse is hugely popular at the college level in the US and Canada.

Origins and History

Lacrosse originated over 500 years ago among Indigenous tribes in North America who considered it a sacred medicine game. French missionaries began writing about indigenous stickball games in the 1600s that evolved into modern lacrosse. The first games between standardized teams occurred in the mid 1800s.

Global Popularity

Lacrosse remains most popular at amateur, high school, and college levels across the Eastern United States and Canada, but participation continues to grow internationally. Around 1 million total players compete domestically.

Equipment and Setup

Lacrosse requires lacrosse sticks with netted heads, helmets with face masks, protective gloves, balls, and goals with nets. It is played on a variety of outdoor and indoor field types.

Professional League

The Premier Lacrosse League and National Lacrosse League constitute the top two pro indoor lacrosse leagues in North America, showcasing the sport’s elite talent during a spring season. Outdoor pro lacrosse remains semi-professionalized but growing.

Ultimate Frisbee

Ultimate frisbee is an exciting, fast-paced disc sport played between two seven-player squads on a field where teams attempt to catch a disc in the opponent’s end zone.

How It’s Played

Players pass a flying disc between teammates attempting to move downfield and complete a catch in the endzone for a point. Defenders try intercepting passes or knocking down receptions. Ultimate emphasizes cuts, throwing skills, endurance and defensive athleticism. Games last around 1.5 hours total.

Governing Body

The international governing body is the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF), which sets rules and organizes competitions globally. Controlling bodies within each country like USA Ultimate also oversee the sport.

Major Competitions

International events sanctioned by WFDF include the biannual World Ultimate Championships and World Games. The Triple Crown Tour constitutes primary elite club competition in the USA and Canada, culminating in the National Championships. College has an active scene through USA Ultimate.

Origins and History

Ultimate originated as a recreational sport in 1968 invented at Columbia High School in Maplewood, New Jersey by students. It spread across North American schools and colleges over the late 1900s, leading to the first world championship in 1983 and WFDF’s founding in 1985.

Global Popularity

Ultimate enjoys a niche following but remains lesser known than mainstream sports. Participation is concentrated in the United States, Japan, Canada, Europe, and Australia. An estimated 7 million players compete globally, predominantly at recreational levels. But competitive, organized ultimate continues growth.

Equipment and Setup

Ultimate requires minimal gear like a plastic disc, field with end zones, and cones. Players wear no protective equipment and it is traditionally self-officiated without referees. Games take place on fields about 110 yards by 40 yards.

Professional League

Professional ultimate remains in emerging status, though the American Ultimate Disc League and Premier Ultimate League both offer increased competition and visibility for the sport in North America. The semi-pro Major League Ultimate previously existed as well. The pro leagues showcase the sport’s elite players.

Team Handball

Team handball is an exciting team sport contested between two sides passing and dribbling a ball on a court who try scoring into their opponent’s goal by throwing it in.

How It’s Played

Two teams of six court players and one goalie per side compete to shoot the ball into the other team’s net for a goal. Players throw and pass the ball using hands only, advancing it downcourt through dribbling, passing sequences, and shots on goal. Matches consist of two 30-minute halves.

Governing Body

The International Handball Federation (IHF) is the worldwide governing body managing rules and tournaments. Continental and national federations oversee local leagues and teams under the IHF.

Major Competitions

The IHF Men’s and Women’s World Championships, Olympics, and European Championships attract the top international talent. Club competitions include the EHF Champions League featuring the best professional club teams.

Origins and History

European predecessors to team handball emerged in the late 19th century out of Irish Gaelic football and other influences. Towards the early 1900s, formalized handball sports developed across Northern Europe, coalescing into definitive indoor team handball by the 1920s. The IHF formed in 1946.

Global Popularity

Handball enjoys widespread popularity across much of Europe, with over 500,000 players in the European Handball Federation. It continues to gain ground globally as well. Particularly strong countries include Denmark, France, Spain, Hungary, and Sweden.

Equipment and Setup

Team handball requires balls, goals with nets, court markings, and minimal protective gear. Indoor courts are around 82 feet by 50 feet. The goal is surrounded by a semicircular “D” marking. Games consist of two 30 minute halves.

Professional Leagues

Professional handball leagues proliferate across Europe and attract some of the world’s best talent. Leading pro leagues include Germany’s Bundesliga, Spain’s Liga ASOBAL, Hungary’s Nemzeti Bajnoksag, and France’s LNH Division 1. The Champions League offers top intercontinental club competition.

Bandy

Bandy is a winter team sport played between sides of 11 skaters who pass and shoot a small ball across ice trying to score goals into their opponent’s cage using sticks.

How It’s Played

Similar to ice hockey, bandy players shoot and pass a ball trying to score into goals on a large frozen playing area. However, rules prohibit high-sticking, body checking, and offside. Players strike the ball using curved bandy sticks. Games consist of two 45-minute halves.

Governing Body

The Federation of International Bandy governs and represents bandy internationally. National bandy associations promote the sport within individual countries that play.

Major Competitions

Top international bandy events include the Bandy World Championships and Bandy World Cup. Within countries where it is popular like Russia, Sweden, and Kazakhstan, domestic leagues produce major events and global talents.

Origins and History

Bandy has origins to ball and stick games dating back centuries and developed across Northern Europe and Russia over time. The first rules emerged in England in the late 19th century, with the first formal Bandy Federation forming in 1955 and a modern international federation in 1983.

Global Popularity

Bandy enjoys popularity mainly across cold weather northern hemisphere countries with winter sports traditions. The sport has around 300,000 players worldwide, concentrated in Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Kazakhstan, and a few other countries.

Equipment and Setup

Bandy requires a large ice playing surface (165m by 65m minimum), bandy sticks, skates, goals, and special balls. The large playing area and ball/stick techniques differentiate bandy from ice hockey. Games feature two 45 minute halves.

Professional Leagues

Many bandy-playing countries feature domestic professional or semi-pro leagues, with the best talent concentrated in Russia, Sweden, Kazakhstan, and a couple other strong bandy nations. The Russian Bandy Super League stands as the most elite professional circuit currently.

I hope this overview provides more useful knowledge about popular team sports across the world! Let me know if you would like me to expand on any of the sports in more detail or have additional questions.