A national sport is a physical activity or sport that is culturally significant or deeply embedded in a nation, serving as a national symbol and an intrinsic element to a nation's identity and culture.
Several sovereign states and constituent states have formally recognized a specific activity as their national sport, typically favouring sports with origins stemming from their own countries. Conversely, in many other nations, the designation of a national sport is an informal acknowledgment bestowed upon an activity that is either widely embraced or holds historical and cultural significance to that nation.
Official national sports
An official national sport is an activity that has been formally recognized and designated as a national sport of a particular nation by government authorities. This recognition often comes through legislation or decrees.
The following is a list official national sports:
| Country/territory | Sport | Year of official recognition | Basis | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Pato | 1953 | Argentina Decree Nº 17468 | [1] |
| Canada | Ice hockey (winter) Lacrosse (summer) | 1994 | National Sports of Canada Act | [2] |
| Chile | Chilean Rodeo | 1962 | Official letter No. 269 of the Consejo Nacional de Deportes and Chilean Olympic Committee | [3] |
| Colombia | Tejo | 2000 | Colombia Law 613 | [4][5] |
| Mexico | Charrería | 1933 | Presidential decree by Abelardo L. Rodríguez | [6] |
| Nepal | Volleyball | 2017 | Cabinet of Nepal decision | [7] |
| Philippines | Arnis | 2009 | Republic Act No. 9850 | [8] |
| Puerto Rico | Paso Fino | 1966 | Puerto Rico Act 64 of 2000 | [9] |
| South Korea | Taekwondo | 2018 | National Sport Designation Act for Taekwondo | [10][11] |
| Uruguay | Destrezas Criollas | 2006 | National Law Nº 17958 | [12][13] |
Unofficial national sports
An unofficial national sport is an activity that holds significant popularity or cultural and historical significance within a particular nation but lacks legal recognition as the official national sport. These informal national sports typically reflect a nation's preferences and their perceived connection to the nation's culture and identity. The designation of an unofficial national sport can be contentious, as it can vary within a nation based on regional preferences and traditions.
The following is a list of unofficial national sports: