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Greetings, sports fanatics!

Are you eager to explore the diverse world of Commonwealth Games sports?

Jump right into our comprehensive list, sorted by popularity for your convenience.

From elite athletes to enthusiastic amateurs, there’s a sport for everyone in this exciting collection of games!

Commonwealth Games Sports List

  1. Athletics
  2. Badminton
  3. Aquatics
  4. Basketball
  5. Beach Volleyball
  6. Bowls
  7. Boxing
  8. Cricket (women’s)
  9. Cycling
  10. Gymnastics

#1 Athletics

Athletics

Athletics encompasses a wide range of track and field events and has origins dating back to ancient civilizations, including the Egyptian and Greek societies.

These competitive sports gained international prominence with the revival of the modern Olympic Games in 1896. Today, athletics is immensely popular worldwide, with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) governing the sport.

Notable events include the World Athletics Championships, the European Athletics Championships, and the Commonwealth Games.

#2 Badminton

Badminton

Badminton, a racket sport played with shuttlecocks, traces its roots to ancient games in India and China. It emerged as a modern sport in 19th-century England and has since gained global popularity.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) oversees the sport, and it made its Olympic debut in 1992. Major tournaments include the BWF World Championships, the BWF World Junior Championships, and the All England Open Badminton Championships.

#3 Aquatics

Aquatics

Aquatics includes a variety of water-based sports, such as swimming, diving, synchronized swimming, and water polo.

Swimming has ancient origins, dating back to 7,000 BCE, while modern aquatics competitions emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Fédération Internationale de Natation (FINA) governs these sports, with aquatic events being a staple in the Olympic Games since 1896.

The FINA World Aquatics Championships is a major showcase for the best of aquatic sports.

#4 Basketball

Basketball

Basketball was invented in 1891 by Canadian physical education instructor James Naismith in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA. The sport quickly gained popularity worldwide and was first introduced in the Olympic Games in 1936.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) oversees international competitions, with the National Basketball Association (NBA) being one of the most popular professional leagues. The FIBA Basketball World Cup and the EuroBasket are notable international tournaments.

#5 Beach Volleyball

Beach Volleyball

Beach volleyball originated in the United States in the 1920s and has since become popular worldwide. The sport consists of two-player teams competing on a sand court.

The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) governs the sport, which made its Olympic debut in 1996. Major events include the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships and the annual FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.

#6 Bowls

Bowls

Bowls, also known as lawn bowls, dates back to ancient Egypt and Rome but grew in popularity in medieval England. The sport involves rolling balls towards a target called a “jack” on a flat, grassy surface.

Bowls is most popular in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, with the World Bowls governing body organizing the World Championships. Bowls is a Commonwealth Games staple, but it is not currently an Olympic sport.

#7 Boxing

Boxing

Boxing is an ancient combat sport with roots in various civilizations, including Egyptian, Greek, and Roman societies.

Modern boxing emerged in 17th-century England, and the modern sport now has two distinct categories: amateur boxing, governed by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), and professional boxing, governed by multiple organizations.

Boxing has been part of the Olympic Games since 1904, and notable professional events include world championship fights in various weight classes.

#8 Cricket (women’s)

Cricket (women’s)

Cricket has its origins in 16th-century England and has since become a popular sport worldwide, particularly in countries such as India, Australia, and South Africa.

Women’s cricket has grown in prominence since the first recorded women’s match in 1745. The International Cricket Council (ICC) governs the sport, organizing major events like the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Cricket has not been included in the Olympics since 1900 but is part of the Commonwealth Games.

#9 Cycling

Cycling

Cycling, both as a means of transport and a sport, originated in Europe in the early 19th century.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) governs competitive cycling, which encompasses various disciplines such as road, track, mountain bike, and BMX.

Cycling has been part of the Olympic Games since the 1896 Athens Games, and notable events include the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and the UCI World Championships.

#10 Gymnastics

Gymnastics

Gymnastics has ancient origins, with evidence dating back to the Ancient Greek civilization. It gained prominence as a modern sport in the early 19th century, particularly in Germany and Sweden.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) oversees the sport, which includes artistic, rhythmic, trampoline, aerobic, and acrobatic disciplines.

Gymnastics has been part of the Olympic Games since 1896, with the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships being prominent events.

More Commonwealth Games Sports

  1. Hockey: Originating in ancient civilizations, modern field hockey was developed in early 19th-century England. It is most popular in Europe, India, Australia, and Argentina. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) governs the sport. Hockey has been an Olympic sport since 1908, with major events such as the FIH Hockey World Cup and the Hockey Champions Trophy.
  2. Netball: Netball evolved from early forms of basketball in the late 19th century. It is primarily popular in Commonwealth countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. The International Netball Federation (INF) governs the sport. Netball is not currently an Olympic sport, but the INF World Cup and the Commonwealth Games are major events.
  3. Rowing: Rowing dates back to ancient Egypt and Rome, with competitive modern rowing originating in the United Kingdom in the 18th century. The sport is popular in Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The International Rowing Federation (FISA) governs rowing, which has been part of the Olympic Games since 1900. The World Rowing Championships is a major event.
  4. Rugby 7s: Rugby 7s, a variant of rugby union, was developed in the late 19th century in Scotland. Today, it is popular worldwide, particularly in traditional rugby playing nations. World Rugby governs the sport, which made its Olympic debut in 2016. Major tournaments include the Rugby World Cup Sevens and the annual World Rugby Sevens Series.
  5. Shooting: Shooting sports have ancient origins in hunting but developed as competitive sports in the 19th century, mostly in Europe. The International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) governs the sport, which has been part of the Olympic Games since 1896. The ISSF World Shooting Championships is a major event.
  6. Squash: Squash originated in 19th-century England and is popular in the United Kingdom, Egypt, and the United States. The World Squash Federation (WSF) governs the sport, which is not currently an Olympic sport. However, the WSF World Championships and the Commonwealth Games serve as major events.
  7. Table Tennis: Table tennis, also known as ping pong, was developed in late 19th-century England and gained popularity in Europe and Asia. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) governs the sport, which became an Olympic sport in 1988. The World Table Tennis Championships is a major event.
  8. Triathlon: The modern triathlon, a combination of swimming, cycling, and running, was developed in the United States during the 1970s. The sport is popular worldwide, with the International Triathlon Union (ITU) governing the sport. Triathlon joined the Olympic Games in 2000, and the ITU World Triathlon Series serves as a major event.
  9. Weightlifting: Weightlifting has ancient origins in China, Greece, and Egypt, evolving as a competitive sport in Europe in the late 19th century. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) governs the sport, which has been part of the Olympic Games since 1896, with a brief hiatus in 1900. The IWF World Championships is a major event in weightlifting.
  10. Wrestling: Wrestling is an ancient sport with origins in various civilizations, including Greek and Roman societies. It has been a modern competitive sport since the 19th century. United World Wrestling (UWW) governs the sport, which has been part of the Olympic Games since 1896. The UWW World Wrestling Championships is a major event.
  11. Judo: Judo, a Japanese martial art, was created by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century. It is popular worldwide, with the International Judo Federation (IJF) governing the sport. Judo made its Olympic debut in 1964 and has remained a staple since. Major events include the IJF World Judo Championships and the Judo World Tour.
  12. Golf: Golf, a club-and-ball sport, dates back to 15th-century Scotland. It is popular globally, with The R&A and the United States Golf Association (USGA) governing the sport. After a 112-year absence, golf returned to the Olympic Games in 2016. The sport features notable events such as The Masters, the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship.
  13. Archery: Archery’s history dates back to ancient civilizations and has evolved as a competitive sport since the 18th century. The World Archery Federation (WA) governs the sport, which has been part of the Olympic Games since 1900, with a hiatus from 1928-1972. Major events include the World Archery Championships and the Archery World Cup.
  14. Tennis: Tennis traces its roots to medieval France, with modern tennis emerging in 19th-century England. The sport is globally popular, governed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF). Tennis joined the Olympic Games in 1896 and returned permanently in 1988, after an absence from 1928-1984. Notable events include the four Grand Slam tournaments: Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open.
  15. Tenpin Bowling: Tenpin bowling has origins in ancient Egypt, but it gained popularity in the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries. The sport is popular worldwide, with the International Bowling Federation (IBF) governing the sport. Tenpin bowling has not been part of the Olympic Games, but it does feature major events, such as the World Tenpin Bowling Championships and the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour

FAQ

What are the most popular Commonwealth Games sports?

The most popular Commonwealth Games sports include athletics, badminton, aquatics, basketball, beach volleyball, bowls, boxing, women’s cricket, cycling, and gymnastics.

How many different sports are featured in the Commonwealth Games?

Our Commonwealth Games sports list consists of 25 unique sports, showcasing a diverse range of athletic disciplines and talents.

Max is a sports enthusiast who loves all kinds of ball and water sports. He founded & runs stand-up-paddling.org (#1 German Paddleboarding Blog), played competitive Badminton and Mini Golf (competed on national level in Germany), started learning ‘real’ Golf and dabbled in dozens of other sports & activities.

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