100 Sports Trivia Questions and Answers
Records, championships and the moments fans still replay.
Every question below is shown with its answer, so you can scan the whole set, pick the ones you want, and run a round without clicking through. They are free to use for quiz nights, classrooms and pub quizzes. Where a question has extra background, it links to the full explanation.
Go deeper: Sports and Games codex on Codexery — every major sport, from archery to the Tour de France
1.What is the name of the trophy awarded to the NHL's most valuable player during the regular season?
Answer: Hart Memorial Trophy
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Hart Memorial Trophy2.What is the 'hop-up' system in an airsoft gun designed to do?
Answer: Apply backspin to the BB for greater range
Read the full explanation3.How many players are on a standard basketball team on the court?
Answer: Five
Read the full explanation4.Which country has won the most FIFA World Cup titles?
Answer: Brazil
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Brazil5.What is the term for the part of an arrow that clips onto the bowstring?
Answer: Nock
Read the full explanation6.What legendary English outlaw is most famously associated with exceptional skill in archery?
Answer: Robin Hood
Read the full explanation7.In traditional Japanese archery (kyudo), what is the standard target distance for ceremonial and competitive shooting?
Answer: 28 meters
Read the full explanation8.What system, using a small amount of gas stored in the magazine, allows airsoft pistols to have a realistic sliding action when fired?
Answer: Gas Blowback (GBB)
Read the full explanation9.What is the term for the rigid or semi-rigid center section of a bow that the archer grips?
Answer: Riser
Read the full explanation10.What defensive strategy in hockey involves a team clogging the neutral zone to prevent the opposing team from entering their offensive zone?
Answer: The trap
Read the full explanation11.What Japanese company, founded in 1965, is widely considered the pioneer and gold standard of airsoft gun manufacturing?
Answer: Tokyo Marui
Read the full explanation12.In what country did airsoft originate during the 1970s as a way for civilians to own realistic-looking firearms?
Answer: Japan
Read the full explanation13.What term describes the measurement of the force required to pull a bow to its full draw length?
Answer: Draw weight
Read the full explanation14.What is the term for the airsoft game mode modeled after military operations where teams must complete objectives like capturing positions or rescuing hostages?
Answer: MilSim (Military Simulation)
Read the full explanation15.How many players from each team are typically on the ice during regular play in hockey?
Answer: Six
Read the full explanation16.What term describes scoring three goals in a single hockey game by one player?
Answer: Hat trick
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Hat-trick17.What is the standard diameter of a regulation NHL hockey puck in inches?
Answer: 3 inches
Read the full explanation18.What is the name of the Korean traditional archery style that uses a short composite bow and thumb draw technique?
Answer: Gungdo
Read the full explanation19.What mechanism type uses a motor-driven gearbox to compress and release a piston to fire BBs, commonly found in airsoft rifles?
Answer: AEG (Automatic Electric Gun)
Read the full explanation20.In competitive archery, how far is the standard outdoor target distance for the Olympic recurve event?
Answer: 70 meters
Read the full explanation21.What medieval siege weapon used a horizontal bow mounted on a stock, allowing soldiers to aim and shoot bolts with greater mechanical advantage?
Answer: Crossbow
Read the full explanation22.What is the name of the area directly in front of the goal in hockey, painted blue in the NHL?
Answer: The crease
Read the full explanation23.In tennis, what is a score of zero called?
Answer: Love
Read the full explanation24.In what year did the first women's ice hockey tournament take place at the Winter Olympics?
Answer: 1998
Read the full explanation25.What is the standard diameter of an airsoft BB pellet used in most airsoft guns?
Answer: 6 millimeters
Read the full explanation26.What color tip is required on airsoft guns sold in the United States to distinguish them from real firearms?
Answer: Orange
Read the full explanation27.What unit of measurement is used to rate the power output of airsoft guns, indicating the velocity of fired BBs?
Answer: FPS (Feet Per Second)
Read the full explanation28.On October 2, 1920, the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates did something on the same day, that no baseball teams have ever done since. What did they do?
Answer: PLAYED A TRIPLE HEADER
Read the full explanation29.In 1985, Olympic basketball star Lynette Woodward made history when she became the first female member of a professional basketball team. Which team did she join?
Answer: HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
Read the full explanation30.Identify three major league baseball team names (regardless of cities), that have played most frequently in the World Series.
Answer: accept any three of YANKEES / DODGERS / GIANTS / Cardinals
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Baseball31.The person who spent the longest time in a New York baseball uniform, played for the New York Giants for 22 years from the 1920's to 1940's. Who is he?
Answer: MEL OTT - Giants
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: New York Giants32.What honor can be won by a great baseball player, or by a great race horse?
Answer: TRIPLE CROWN baseball ba,rbi,hr / kentucky derby, preakness, belmont
Read the full explanation33.What Korean type of martial arts was first contested for medals at the 2000 Sydney Olympics?
Answer: TAE KWON DO
Read the full explanation34.In the 1980 film Raging Bull, Robert DeNiro played the role of which boxer?
Answer: JAKE LA MOTTA
Read the full explanation35.Feb. 25, 1964, young boxing phenomenon Cassius Clay first gained the heavyweight title when he knocked out which champion?
Answer: SONNY LISTON
Read the full explanation36.For the 1994 Winter Olympics an ice hockey arena was built entirely inside a mountain. Which city hosted those Games?
Answer: LILLEHAMMER (the cavern arena is in nearby Gjovik)
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: The Olympics37.In February 1990, in the heavyweight championship fight in Tokyo, this boxer knocked out the previously undefeated Mike Tyson in the tenth round. Who was he?
Answer: BUSTER DOUGLAS
Read the full explanation38.Name four baseball players whose faces have been displayed on U.S. postage stamps.
Answer: 1982--BABE RUTH / 1983--ROBERTO CLEMENTE / 1983--LOU GEHRIG / 1989--JACKIE ROBINSON
Read the full explanation39.Which country besides the United States produces the largest number of Major League baseball players?
Answer: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Major League Baseball40.This person is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time. She participated in track and field, basketball, baseball, tennis, javelin, and swimming. She won two gold medals in the 1932 olympics, and numerous golf tournaments in the 1940's and 50'
Answer: BABE DIDRICKSON ZAHARIAS 1914-1956
Read the full explanation41.This sport, invented in the USA in 1895, is played in every country of the world, indoors or out, by men or women, with various number of players on a side. It became an official Olympic sport in 1964. What is it?
Answer: VOLLEYBALL It can be played with two, three, four, or six players on a team.
Read the full explanation42.What are the nicknames of each of these college football teams? a. Notre Dame b. Penn State c. Florida State d. Purdue e. Georgetown
Answer: a. FIGHTING IRISH b. NITTANY LIONS c. SEMINOLES d. BOILERMAKERS e. HOYAS
Read the full explanation43.The term Alpine skiing refers to downhill skiing. The term Nordic skiing refers to what?
Answer: CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING or SKI JUMPING
Read the full explanation44.a. Jose Canseco was born in which country? b. Was he ever voted MVP in the American League?
Answer: A. CUBA b. YES/1988
Read the full explanation45.What were the names of the two athletes who raised their fists in the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympic games, and in which city did this occur?
Answer: TOMMY SMITH / JOHN CARLOS / MEXICO CITY
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Olympic Games46.In July, 1994, the World Cup of Soccer was held in the United States. The final three games of this tournament were held in which stadium?
Answer: ROSE BOWL, in Pasadena, California
Read the full explanation47.What significant change in the basic rules of major league baseball first occurred in the 1973 season, and is still used today?
Answer: DESIGNATED HITTER
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Baseball48.In which sport do people compete for the America's Cup?
Answer: YACHT RACING
Read the full explanation49.Which two NFL teams met in Super Bowl XXX on January 28, 1996, and what was the score?
Answer: DALLAS COWBOYS DEF. PITTSBURGH STEELERS 27-17
Read the full explanation50.Which one of these college teams uses the Halloween color, orange, as its uniform color? Penn State, Alabama, or Syracuse University?
Answer: SYRACUSE
Read the full explanation51.Can you name the Australian aborigine who won the Wimbledon Women's singles tennis championship in 1980?
Answer: EVONNE GOOLAGONG
Read the full explanation52.In 1908, what was the name of the first black boxer to win the world heavyweight boxing championship?
Answer: JACK JOHNSON
Read the full explanation53.Possibly the most common last name in the Baseball Hall of Fame is Robinson: can you give the four first names of the people named Robinson?
Answer: FRANK / BROOKS / JACKIE / WILBERT… who was a manager inducted in 1945
Read the full explanation54.Which three baseball players hit the most home runs at Candlestick Park?
Answer: WILLY McCOVEY 236 / WILLY MAYS 201 / BARRY BONDS ... matt williams
Read the full explanation55.When Michael Jordan retired from the Chicago Bulls for the first time in 1994, he signed a minor-league contract with what major league baseball team?
Answer: CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Read the full explanation56.This marial art has existed for 2,000 years, but was never an olympic medal event until the Sydney Olympics, in the year 2000. Generally speaking, Korean athletes excel at this sport. What is it?
Answer: TAE KWON DO
Read the full explanation57.Football fans in 1999 were saddened by the death of the man who was then the NFL's all-time leading rusher, called "Sweetness" for his smooth moves and pleasant nature. Who was he?
Answer: WALTER PAYTON
Read the full explanation58.Shortly after he earned the NBA 1997 Rookie of the Year award, he was arrested in Virginia for drug and firearms possession. He went on to become the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the 2000-2001 season. Who is he?
Answer: ALLEN IVERSON
Read the full explanation59.This major league baseball player played on 10 teams which won the World Series, was voted MVP 3 times during the 1950's, and managed both the Yankees and Mets to pennants. Who was he?
Answer: YOGI BERRA
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Yogi Berra60.Which tennis player won the Wimbledon mens' singles championship 7 of the last 8 years of the 20th century?
Answer: PETE SAMPRAS
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Pete Sampras61.Which of these things found in the Olympics moves the fastest? Ice hockey puck, bobsled, luge, or speed skier?
Answer: SPEED SKIER = 140 mph
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: The Olympics62.In 1968, this person became the first professional golfer to top $1 million in career earnings. Who was he?
Answer: ARNOLD PALMER
Read the full explanation63.Where did each of these people play college football? a. Troy Aikman? b. Jerry Rice? c. Bo Jackson?
Answer: a. UCLA b. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE c. AUBURN
Read the full explanation64.Which of these people, one male and one female, have never won the Wimbledon singles tennis tournament? a. Monica Seles, Steffi Graf, Chris Evert, Billy Jean King? b. Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Arthur Ashe?
Answer: a. MONICA SELES b. IVAN LENDL
Read the full explanation65.College bowl games: a. Name the bowl game named after a Spanish party? b. Name the bowl game named after an animal. c. Name the bowl game named after a greeting:
Answer: a. FIESTA BOWL b. GATOR BOWL C. ALOHA BOWL
Read the full explanation66.How many NBA teams are located in California?
Answer: 4: Los Angeles LAKERS / Los Angeles CLIPPERS / Golden State WARRIORS / SACRAMENTO KINGS
Read the full explanation67.The modern rules of which sport were drawn up at Cambridge University in 1848?
Answer: SOCCER FOOTBALL
Read the full explanation68.Which European tennis star, in 1988, became only the 3rd woman ever to win the Grand Slam of tennis?
Answer: STEFFI GRAF
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Steffi Graf69.In 1936 Adolf Hitler's theory of Aryan supremacy was upset when a certain black American athlete defeated his German stars, winning four gold medals in running and long jump at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Who was he?
Answer: JESSE OWENS
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Jesse Owens70.Several team names are shared by different cities in different major sports. For example, Giants - San Francisco in baseball and New York in football. Can you think of up to 4 more team names, in baseball, football, basketball, or hockey?
Answer: CARDINALS - St. Louis, Arizona / RANGERS - New York, Texas / KINGS - Sacramento, Los Angeles / JETS - New York, Winnipeg / PANTHERS - Carolina, Florida
Read the full explanation71.What NHL record, often called the most unbreakable in sports, is Wayne Gretzky's career points total?
Answer: 2,857 points
Read the full explanation72.After Cassius Clay changed his name to Muhammad Ali, he defended his heavyweight boxing title for the first time in May, 1965, against which opponent?
Answer: SONNY LISTON who he knocked out in the first round
Read the full explanation73.As a way of showing team support, Green Bay Packer fans wear which Wisconsin-made product on their heads?
Answer: CHEESE
Read the full explanation74.In which three consecutive years did the Oakland A's play in the World Series, and who were their opponents?
Answer: 1988, 89, 90 / DODGERS / GIANTS / REDS
Read the full explanation75.Which three golfers, all born in 1912, are credited with making the game into the popular pastime it is today?
Answer: BEN HOGAN / BYRON NELSON / SAM SNEAD
Read the full explanation76.Between 1988 and 1992, three Oakland A's won the Most Valuable Player award in the American League. Who were they?
Answer: 88: JOSE CANSECO / 90: RICKEY HENDERSON / 92: DENNIS ECKERSLEY
Read the full explanation77.Jesse Owen's world record in which sporting event stood from 1935 until 1960?
Answer: LONG JUMP
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Long jump78.As heavyweight champion of the world from 1937 to 1948, which boxer won 25 consecutive championship fights?
Answer: JOE LOUIS
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Joe Louis79.Women in sports: a. This runner won 3 gold medals at the 1988 Olympics, including setting the world records in the 100 and 200 meter runs? b. This speedskater won the 500 meter gold medal at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Answer: a. FLORENCE GRIFFITH JOYNER b.BONNIE BLAIR
Read the full explanation80.Who was the first black manager of a Major League baseball team?
Answer: FRANK ROBINSON
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Frank Robinson81.You might call this college, "Quarterback U.", because it has produced some of the greatest quarterbacks in college (and pro) football history, such as Jim McMahan and Steve Young. What college is this?
Answer: BRIGHAM YOUNG / BYU
Read the full explanation82.1995's Athlete of the Year was Cal Ripken, who broke the record for playing in the most consecutive baseball games. This record was previously held by which person, and in which numbered game did Cal break this record?
Answer: LOU GEHRIG / game number 2,131 (Gehrig's record was 2,130)
83.This game evolved in the Spanish-Basque region in the 17th century. The ball used in this game sometimes reaches speeds of 150 miles per hour, and people bet on the outcomes of the games. It is sometimes called pelota, but more commonly known as what?
Answer: JAI ALAI
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Jai alai84.Name three major sports figures with the same name as a fruit, vegetable or flower.
Answer: DARYL STRAWBERRY / PETE ROSE / BOB LEMON ...
Read the full explanation85.What was the automobile speed record for one running mile, in 1906? Was it closer to 25 miles per hour, 75 miles per hour, or 125 miles per hour?
Answer: 127 MILES PER HOUR
Read the full explanation86.In 1976 at what Olympic city did Nadia Comaneci score a perfect 10 in gymnastics?
Answer: MONTREAL
Read the full explanation87.Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson were the first five ... what?
Answer: MEMBERS OF BASEBALL HALL OF FAME, 1936 - Cobb was the first player elected
Read the full explanation88.Every year both the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated choose their "athlete of the year." These athletes can come from any sport: golf, tennis, swimming, football, etc. However, in 1980, both the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated chose not an individual but a team. Which team?
Answer: U.S. OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM
Read the full explanation89.One of the great comebacks of the 1990's belongs to a tennis star who returned to the sport two years after being stabbed by a tennis fan. Who is she?
Answer: MONICA SELES
Read the full explanationLearn more on Codexery: Monica Seles90.Can you name the first black man to manage in the World Series?
Answer: CITO GASTON manager of the Toronto Blue Jays
Read the full explanation91.Can you name three sports in which the participants move backwards most of the time in attempting to win?
Answer: TUG OF WAR / BACKSTROKE / ROWING OR CREW
Read the full explanation92.Which 15-year old American figure skater became Olympic champion in 1998, the youngest winner since Sonja Henie in 1928?
Answer: TARA LIPINSKY
Read the full explanation93.With which NFL team did Steve Young play in 1985-86 before moving to the San Francisco 49'ers?
Answer: TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Read the full explanation94.Most sports fans agree that the four greatest are the Irish, French, English, and Kentucky. The greatest what?
Answer: HORSE RACING DERBIES
Read the full explanation95.What is the name of the sport played on ice, without skates, using a broom?
Answer: CURLING
Read the full explanation96.Born in 1964, this speed skater was the first American woman to win five gold medals in Olympic competition. Who is she?
Answer: BONNIE BLAIR
Read the full explanation97.The first college football game took place in 1869, between two colleges in New Jersey. Which two teams played this first game?
Answer: PRINCETON / RUTGERS
Read the full explanation98.Can you name the Japanese-American woman who won the Gold Medal in Figure Skating at the 1992 Winter Olympics in France.
Answer: KRISTI YAMAGUCHI
Read the full explanation99.In soccer football and in hockey: what is the meaning of the term "hat trick"?
Answer: SCORING THREE GOALS IN ONE GAME
Read the full explanation100.One of the more unusual Olympic events is the biathlon. Which two athletic endeavors make up the Biathlon?
Answer: CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING, RIFLE SHOOTING
Read the full explanation
Learn more on Codexery
Reference codexes behind our sports trivia questions:
- NHL Teams · 15 questions
- Fan-owned Football Clubs · 9 questions
- Baseball & Softball · 8 questions
- Winter Sports · 6 questions
- Ice Hockey Terminology · 6 questions
- Aerobatic and Racing Aircraft · 6 questions