England is part of the United Kingdom, though it has a unique history and sporting culture, and plays many sports in international competitions as a team from England, though at the Olympic Games athletes from England represent Great Britain. England is home to many sports like cricket, rugby, boxing but none so as football.

a cricket game in Oxford

A cricket game in Oxford

England is recognized by many as the birthplace of many modern sports, such as Association football, cricket, tennis and rugby. England also is the home of the most watched football league in the whole world, the Premier League. They also participated in the first-ever international match where they played against Scotland in November 30, 1872.

Although football seems to run in every Englishman's veins, there are also a lot of sports that flourish in England. Rugby union is ranked as the second most popular sport in England. The first-ever international rugby match was also between England and Scotland which took place in March 27, 1871.

Cricket was actually invented in England with laws that were set way back in 1788 by the Marylebone Cricket Club. England was also the birthplace of modern day tennis. The world's oldest tennis tournament, the Wimbledon championships, was first held in England in 1877. The "Sports of Kings", thoroughbred racing, also originated in England.

Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to England. See also about sport in the UK, and the individual pages for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.

Football (Soccer)

The national sport and home to the English Premier League, the world's most-watched football competition.

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Cricket

Invented in England with laws established in 1788, home to legendary venues like Lord's and The Oval.

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Rugby Union

The second most popular sport, with the first international match played against Scotland in 1871.

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Other popular sports include netball, field hockey, and rugby league.

Regional or Traditional Sports of England

  • Stoolball — a team sport played on a circular grass field, possibly the precursor to cricket and baseball.

England Sporting Successes

Major Achievements

  • 1966 FIFA World Cup — England men won their only World Cup, defeating West Germany 4-2 after extra time at Wembley
  • 2010 T20 World Cup — England men's cricket team won the ICC World Twenty20
  • 2019 Cricket World Cup — England men won their first ODI Cricket World Cup, defeating New Zealand in a dramatic super over
  • 2022 UEFA Women's European Championship — England women won their first major trophy, defeating Germany 2-1 after extra time at Wembley in front of a record 87,192 crowd
  • 2024 UEFA European Championship — England men reached the final, losing 2-1 to Spain in Berlin (their second consecutive Euro final)

Great Athletes from England

David Beckham

Legendary footballer known for his precision passing and free kicks, played for Manchester United, Real Madrid and England.

Roger Bannister

First athlete to run a sub-4-minute mile (3:59.4 in 1954), a milestone that transformed distance running.

Sebastian Coe

Middle-distance runner who won Olympic gold in 1500m (1980, 1984) and set multiple world records.

Other notable athletes include Tim Henman (tennis), Beth Mead (football), and Ben Stokes (cricket).

England Sports Trivia

  • London was awarded the 1944 Olympic Games, but due to the ongoing WWII it was not held.
  • England's women's Euro 2022 final attracted a record 87,192 attendance at Wembley Stadium, the highest for any European Championship final (men's or women's).
  • Wimbledon is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, first held in 1877.

England at Major Events

Past Sporting Events Hosted in England

  • 1908 Olympic Games Summer in London
  • 1911 British Empire Games London
  • 1934 British Empire Games London
  • 1948 Olympic Games Summer in London
  • 1966 FIFA World Cup England
  • 1975, 1979, 1983, 1999, 2019 Cricket World Cup
  • 1984 Paralympic Games in New York & Stoke Mandeville
  • 1991 Rugby World Cup hosted in UK and France
  • 1996 UEFA European (Euro) Football Championship
  • 2002 Commonwealth Games Manchester
  • 2009 Men's and Women's T20 World Cup hosted by England
  • 2012 London Olympics and Paralympic Games
  • 2014 Invictus Games
  • 2015 Rugby World Cup England
  • 2017 World Athletic Championships, London
  • 2018 Hockey Women's World Cup London
  • 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham
  • 2022 Rugby League World Cup
  • 2022 UEFA Women's European Championship
  • 2023 International Blind Sports Federation World Games, Birmingham
  • 2024 UEFA Champions League Final, Wembley Stadium, London
  • 2024 UEFA European Championship Final (England runners-up)

Upcoming Sporting Events in England

Major Events Coming to England

Annual Sporting Events Held in England

Sporting Facilities in England

Other Resources