If your colleagues have a secret competitive streak, there’s no better topic than sports trivia to bring it to the surface.
While taking part might be more important than winning, it doesn’t hurt to have a bit of friendly rivalry to energize your staff!
Engaging sports trivia questions can be the perfect icebreaker for bonding with coworkers during a virtual scavenger hunt, virtual happy hour, or as a way to boost remote culture and employee engagement.
In this ultimate guide, we’ve mixed in some easy sports trivia questions and some hard sports trivia questions, so that there’s something to suit the sports superfan and the occasional observer.
With queries that cover everything from gymnastics and swimming to tennis and rugby, you’ll find a little something for everyone, setting you up for a slam dunk of a team building session.
What Is Sports Trivia?
Sports trivia covers a broad swath of facts about popular games, famous sportspeople, and world records.
While there are a handful of sports that enjoy global popularity like soccer, basketball and tennis, there are a whole lot more niche sports that are limited to a narrow geography.
Even the most knowledgeable sports trivia buff won’t have all the answers to trivia questions spanning this diverse range. Some key reasons why a sports-themed trivia game or trivia contest can make for such an engaging team activity:
- Sports bring out people’s competitive spirit in a fun way
- Recalling amazing feats sparks enthusiasm and appreciation for athletic prowess
- Digging into the origins and firsts related to sports is fascinating trivia knowledge
- Sports fandom is a shared interest that connects colleagues
Best Sports Trivia Topics
Delve into the exciting world of sports trivia, spanning Olympic history, renowned athletes, records, terminologies, movies, global sports, awards, rivalries, geography, and mascots.
Whether you’re a dedicated fan or a curious observer, there’s something captivating for everyone in these diverse topics.
Olympic Games History
The Olympic Games, hailed as the pinnacle of global sporting excellence, boasts a millennia-old legacy. Challenge your peers’ sports knowledge with these intriguing trivia tidbits.
Q. Where did the original Olympic Games take place?
A. Olympia.
Q. What material were crowns awarded to ancient Olympic victors made from?
A. Olive.
Q. Who famously revived the Olympics in 1896?
A. Pierre de Coubertin.
Q. Who holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals?
A. Michael Phelps.
Q. Which sport has never been part of the Olympics: tug of war, bowling, or croquet?
A. Bowling.
Q. What is the official motto of the Olympics?
A. Faster, Higher, Stronger.
Q. Which country dominated the gold medal count in 2008?
A. China.
Famous Athletes
Explore the realm of legendary sports figures who have left an indelible mark on their respective disciplines.
From trailblazers breaking barriers to those hailed as the greatest of all time (GOAT), this category celebrates the remarkable achievements of sportsmen and sportswomen.
Q. Often hailed as the greatest basketballer of all time, who spent most of his professional career with the Chicago Bulls and briefly ventured into baseball?
A. Michael Jordan.
Q. Among these American football teams, which one has quarterback Tom Brady never played for: the Kansas City Chiefs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or the New York Patriots?
A. Kansas City Chiefs.
Q. Who was the first gymnast to achieve a perfect 10 at the Olympics?
A. Nadia Comaneci.
Q. Only one footballer has clinched the World Cup trophy three times. What is his name?
A. Pele.
Q. Many athletes have been lauded as great, but which hockey player earned the nickname “The Great One”?
A. Wayne Gretzky.
Q. Annika Sorenstam is renowned as one of the greatest female golfers ever. Which country does she represent?
A. Sweden.
Q. Geeta and Babita Phogat gained prominence through the Indian biopic Dangal. In which sport do they excel?
A. Wrestling.
Sports Records
In the realm of sports trivia, records stand as benchmarks of extraordinary human achievement, sparking debates over the greatest of all time (GOAT).
As one of the most popular bar sports trivia categories, they provide fascinating insights into athletes’ prowess and endurance.
Q. According to the World Athletics body, which object has been thrown the greatest distance: discus, shot put, or javelin?
A. Javelin.
Q. Brazil boasts the most FIFA World Cup victories, but how many trophies does the country have?
A. 5.
Q. Who jointly holds the record for the most grand slam tennis singles titles (24) as of 2023?
A. Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic.
Q. Who currently holds the record for the most test runs scored in cricket?
A. Sachin Tendulkar.
Q. Usain Bolt holds the current 100-meter record, but what is his fastest official time for the distance: 9.58, 9.69, or 9.72 seconds?
A. 9.58 seconds.
Q. Which rugby player has scored the most points for their nation across all Rugby World Cup appearances?
A. Jonny Wilkinson.
Q. What decade saw the setting of the oldest standing women’s 800-meter track athletics record?
A. 1980s.
Sports Terminologies
Unlock the intriguing world of sports terminologies where phrases like “full-court press,” “double fault,” and “catch a crab” hold a special charm for enthusiasts.
Test your team’s knowledge with these questions:
Q. How many goals constitute a hattrick in football?
A. 3.
Q. Which sport features terms like deke, goon, and saucer pass?
A. Ice hockey.
Q. What are the divisions of a polo match called?
A. Chukkas.
Q. If a tennis match’s score is announced as 15-40, how many points would the server have scored in that game?
A. 1.
Q. In which sport might the umpire tell a player to “take your base”?
A. Baseball.
Q. What slang term is sometimes used for a left-handed boxer?
A. Southpaw.
Q. Where would you find props, flankers, and a hooker?
A. In a rugby scrum.
Sports Movies
Even those less inclined towards sports can hit a home run with this category, embracing a mix of dramas, rom coms, and documentaries spotlighting boxers, baseball players, and basketballers.
Q. What is the title of the movie starring Robert de Niro, centered on real-life boxer Jake LaMotta?
A. Raging Bull.
Q. Which phrase does American football player Rod Tidwell demand sports agent Jerry Maguire to shout to retain him as a client?
A. “Show me the money!”
Q. Among these sports documentaries, which one does not revolve around basketball: The Last Dance, Hoop Dreams, or Touching the Void?
A. Touching the Void.
Q. “If you build it, he will come” is a famous line from which baseball movie?
A. Field of Dreams.
Q. Who portrayed Patches O’Houlihan in the film Dodgeball, famously stating: “If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball”?
A. Rip Torn.
Q. What is the name of the Oscar-winning documentary exposing Russia’s state-sponsored doping scandal?
A. Icarus.
Q. A League of Their Own, a baseball comedy-drama, featured Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Rosie O’Donnell, and which “Holiday” singer?
A. Madonna.
Sports Around the World
Test your team’s knowledge of international sports with this category, transcending common games to explore unique cultural pastimes.
Q. What is commonly considered the national sport of Japan?
A. Sumo.
Q. Kırkpınar is a time-honored oil-wrestling tournament that takes place in which country?
A. Turkey.
Q. Which of these martial arts does not originate in Asia: taekwondo, capoeira, or karate?
A. Capoeira.
Q. What Irish game is played with a ball called a sliotar?
A. Hurling.
Q. Nguni fighters in South Africa use what to compete: a ball, a stick, or their bare fists?
A. A stick.
Q. The Naadam Festival is a traditional competition that encompasses wrestling, horse racing, and archery, but which country is it native to?
A. Mongolia.
Q. With around 3.5 billion fans worldwide, what is the most popular sport on Earth?
A. Soccer.
Sports Awards & Honors
Explore the realm of sports awards and honors where champions are celebrated and legacies are etched in history. Test your knowledge with these trivia questions:
Q. What color is the jacket awarded to winners of the Masters golf tournament?
A. Green.
Q. The Ballon d’Or is presented annually to the best player of the year in which sport?
A. Soccer.
Q. The Laureus World Sports Awards are sometimes called the Oscars of sporting achievement, but which tennis player has won the most accolades?
A. Roger Federer.
Q. Coming first at which grand prix is arguably the most prestigious achievement of any Formula One driver’s career?
A. The Monaco Grand Prix.
Q. True or false: in the UK, you can receive a knighthood or a damehood for contributions to sport?
A. True.
Q. The America’s Cup is often cited as the oldest international competition, which is perhaps why the sailing contest’s trophy is also known by what tongue-in-cheek name?
A. The Auld Mug.
Q. What is distinctive about the male figure atop the Borg-Warner Trophy, which is awarded annually to the winner of the Indianapolis 500?
A. He’s completely naked.
Sports Rivalries
Embark on a journey through the fiery rivalries that add spice to the world of sports.
From historic clashes between nations to intense showdowns between individual athletes, these rivalries captivate audiences worldwide. Get ready to relive some of the most iconic confrontations:
Q. Which two countries fiercely contest the Ashes, a test cricket competition held every two years?
A. England and Australia.
Q. Who emerged victorious in the legendary Fight of the Century, a 1971 boxing match Q. featuring Joe Frazier and Muhammed Ali?
A. Joe Frazier.
Q. Alex Higgins and Steve Davis engaged in one of the most captivating rivalries in which sport?
A. Snooker.
Q. What figure skating star was embroiled in controversy for her alleged involvement in the assault of her rival, Nancy Kerrigan?
A. Tonya Harding.
Q. In the enduring tennis rivalry between Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, who held the upper hand in their overall head-to-head battles?
A. Martina Navratilova.
Q. Amidst the tensions of the Cold War, which pair of chess masters represented the USA and the USSR, respectively?
A. Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky.
Name the two teams that fiercely compete in golf’s prestigious Ryder Cup.
Europe and the United States.
Sports Geography
Challenge your team’s geographical knowledge with these sports-related questions. Score big by knowing not just the sports, but also the locations where they unfold.
Q. Juventus is one of Europe’s most successful football teams. Where is its base located?
A. Turin.
Q. The Tour de France is a renowned race in which sporting discipline?
A. Bicycle racing.
Q. The Narendra Modi Stadium, accommodating around 132,000 people, holds the title of the world’s largest sporting arena. In which country is it situated?
A. India.
Q. Where does the Kentucky Derby horse race annually take place?
A. Louisville.
Q. Every year, participants flock to Noosa to engage in an annual surfing contest. Which country hosts this event?
A. Australia.
Q. Which nation hosts the Wife Carrying World Championship?
A. Finland.
Q. Among Chile, Russia, and France, which country has never hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships?
A. Russia.
Test your team’s sports geography prowess and see if they can hit the mark with these intriguing questions!
Sports Mascots
Mascots in the sporting realm aren’t just child’s play; they’re strategic tools aimed at engaging adults in the excitement of the game.
While predominantly seen in the USA, these spirited ambassadors of sports culture are making waves across the globe.
Q. Designed by Bonnie Erickson, who collaborated with Jim Henson, which TV show featured the creation of the Phillie Phanatic, one of America’s most adored mascots?
A. The Muppets.
Q. Revealed as the mascot for the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics, what city will host the games?
A. Paris, France.
Q. Among these food items, which one has not yet been featured as a FIFA World Cup mascot: an orange, a chili pepper, or a hamburger?
A. A hamburger.
Q. Due to controversies, mascots associated with what ethnic group have been removed from sports teams in the USA and Canada?
A. Native Americans.
Q. In which year was the first official Olympic mascot introduced?
A. 1972.
Q. Which country has boasted mascots named Canarinho and Fuelco?
A. Brazil.
Q. Who is the National Hockey League mascot that unexpectedly gained notoriety as an anti-Trump meme in the late 2010s?
A. Gritty.
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Final Thoughts
This article provided 70 cool sports trivia topics to foster a competitive spirit at work. You learned trivia questions spanning Olympic history, famous athletes, sports records, terminology, movies, international sports, awards, rivalries, geography and mascots.
The trivia topics covered easy questions for casual fans and hard questions for sports buffs. Engaging in a sports-themed trivia contest allows you to bond with colleagues over shared interests.
It promotes friendly competition which boosts morale and energy. International sports trivia also helps develop cultural understanding and inclusivity.
Overall, this comprehensive guide equips you with diverse sports trivia knowledge to spark fun, competitive team building activities at work.
