Summary
Sports are not only popular in the muggle world, but also in the Wizarding World ofHarry Potter. And just like normal sports, the Wizarding World’s sports also have a loyal fanbase who cheers for their favorite teams whenever they can. In the Wizarding World, they also have a set of rules that exist to control the game, but they are sometimes more complicated because they can use magic while competing.
The sports inHarry Potterare also far more dangerous since the sports equipment is often enchanted by magic, which can turn violent at any time. However, these dangers are still within control, since the participants are equally powerful, and using magic is allowed to protect themselves.
7Exploding Snap
Wizarding Card Game
Although not thoroughly shown in the Harry Potter universe, this game is heavily popular within Hogwarts, as depicted in thevideo game version of the franchise. InHarry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Year 6, Chapter 2 (Curses and Prophecies), History of Magic Lesson “History of Wandlore'', this game is described as a magical card game that can automatically blow up when triggered according to the version of the game played.
There are three versions; classical (simple and only requires good reflexes with the help of wands), Patience (medium difficulty, paired card game), and Bavarian Rules (Very Hard, time-bound, and very easy for the cards to explode).
6Gobstone
Magical Marble Game
Another sport that is usually played by children,gobstone is a popular pastimethat requires little to no equipment other than the gobstone itself, and some players. Similar to the regular marble game, a gobstone is a magical ball that can spatter the loser of the game with a putrid liquid. The gobstone itself is made of various materials such as stone, metals, and even gold.
Another type of gobstone is a noisy hitter, a bewitched gobstone that makes louder noises when hit, compared to the regular Gobstones. This game appears several times throughout the franchise in the book and video games such as Harry Potter:Hogwarts Legacy, but not shown in the movie version ofHarry Potterfranchise.
5Dueling
Magical 1 On 1 Combat
Dueling is one of the most popular sports in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, not only for entertainment purposesbut also for survival. It is even taught in schools, as a part of the Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum.
InHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Gilderoy Lockhart, alongside Severus Snape, taught the students of Hogwarts how to duel properly by demonstrating it in front of the students. The aim of the duel is to defeat the opponent, using spells that the participants master. It is known that Filius Flitwick is a professional dueling champion who won dozens of trophies when he was younger, proving how prestigious this sport is.
4Broom Race
The Magical Version Of Formula 1
If muggles have Formula 1, NASCAR, MotoGP, Tour de France, and many more, the magical community has an annual broom race. This sport is particularly popular in Sweden, where it has been celebrated every year since the 10th century.The fastest broomwill not guarantee a victory as it depends on the rider’s skill as well.
This international sports event is a prestigious sport that requires its participants to master their flying skills like no other. In Sweden, the starting point of the race is from Kopparberg to Arjeplog, with a distance of more or less 300 miles. Whoever wins this competition will be rewarded with honer, the Swedish Short-Snout silver trophy, and other rewards. This game is first mentioned inQuidditch Through the Ages.
3Triwizard Tournament
Olympics, But Make It More Dangerous
Triwizard tournament is notoriously known for its danger, hence its requirement for the participants to be over the age of 17 when applying. Consisting of various branches of physical activity, Triwizard Tournament also requires its participants to solve riddles and clues. The three tasks are supposed to examine one’s magical ability, brilliance, and bravery.
It is established as a bridge of solidarity within magical schools in Europe;Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. Although started as a friendly competition, the game was banned after many lost their lives. This game is first introduced inHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, where Harry Potter participated although he was underaged after the Goblet of Fire was manipulated by Barty Crouch Jr.
2Magical Chess
Brutal Chess Game
Wizard’s chess is not like the typical muggle chess. The chess pieces are enchanted to be able to move–and destroy their opponent’s pieces–if said piece is taken. Hermione Granger described this game as barbaric, although Ron Weasley and Harry Potter seem to enjoy playing it together.Ron Weasley in particularpossesses an incredible ability to play this game, including when the Golden Trio has to solve the giant-version of this game duringHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
The giant chess pieces in the Chessboard Chamber are most likely to be enchanted by thePiertotum Locomotorspell, making the pieces multiple times more dangerous than usual. However, if played casually with the regular wizard’s chess, this game is not dangerous at all and is a popular pastime activity.
1Quidditch
The Legendary Magical Sport
Quidditch in the Harry Potter universe can have a spin-off on its own. This highly popular sport is heavily featured in the Harry Potter universe, depicted as early as inHarry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and has continued tomake appearances in the whole franchiseother than the last two books/movies. To play quidditch, a field, quidditch equipment, and 2 teams consisting of 7 members each are needed.
The objective of the game is to catch the golden snitch and to shoot a quaffle and 2 bludgers into the opponent’s goalpost while flying with broomsticks. The team consists of 3 chasers, 2 beaters (with bats), 1 keeper, and 1 seeker who are tasked with snatching the golden snitch. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, the 1994 Quidditch World Cup was held amidst the danger of the rising of Voldemort into power.
