When it comes to sports, there’s no denying that competition can get intense, but one thing that always wins—no matter the score—is good sportsmanship. It’s the secret sauce that puts the “win” in “win-win,” even if you lose! Did you know that the concept of sportsmanship dates all the way back to the first Olympics in 776 B.C.?
Back then, the athletes were all about fair play and—rumor has it—telling a mean chariot-related pun to keep things light. So, in honor of this age-old tradition, we’ve rounded up a list of sportsmanship jokes guaranteed to tickle the funny bones of your teammates and opponents alike. Let’s face it—there’s no better way to break the ice after a hard-fought game than a well-aimed sports joke.
Whether you’re on the field or in the stands, these sportsmanship jokes will keep spirits high, providing a perfect post-game cooldown for everyone involved. Ready to dish out some crowd-pleasing humor? Let’s go!
Table of the Funniest Sportsmanship Jokes
1. Why did the basketball team bring a ladder?
Because they wanted to take their game to the next level.
2. What do you call a golfer who’s also a magician?
A putt-rician!
3. How do volleyball players stay cool during matches?
They spike the heat!
4. Why did the football coach go to the bank?
To get his quarterback!
5. What’s a baseball player’s favorite type of sandwich?
A slider.
6. Why don’t tennis players ever marry?
Love means nothing to them.
7. Why did the soccer player bring string to the game?
In case he needed to tie the score.
8. What’s a sprinter’s least favorite part of the race?
The hurdles—they really bring them down!
9. Why did the boxer go broke?
Because he kept giving away punches for free.
10. What do swimmers say when they win a race?
Water you waiting for?
11. Why do golfers always bring a change of pants?
In case they get a hole in one.
12. What does a quarterback use to pay for snacks?
A gridiron card!
13. Why don’t baseball pitchers ever go broke?
They always have a good pitch for investments.
14. What’s a runner’s favorite kind of music?
Rock on a roll!
15. Why did the gymnast go to art school?
To perfect her cart-wile.
16. What do you call a hockey player who solves mysteries?
Sher-block Holmes.
17. Why did the referee get promoted?
He was outstanding in his field.
18. What did the cyclist say to their bike before a race?
I’m wheelie excited for this!
19. Why are bowlers terrible at keeping secrets?
They always strike up a conversation.
20. What do you call a high jump champion’s favorite dessert?
Upside-down cake!
21. Why did the marathon runner carry a pencil?
To draw energy from the crowd.
22. What’s a gymnast’s favorite type of music?
Anything with a good balance!
23. Why was the basketball team great comedians?
Because they always knew how to deliver the punchline!
24. What do you call a wrestler who loves sandwiches?
A sub-mission specialist.
25. How do you stop a soccer goalkeeper from being funny?
You take away their pun-alties!
26. Why don’t wrestlers trust stairs?
They’re always up to something.
27. What did the ping pong ball say to the paddle?
Stop hitting on me!
28. Why are badminton players so humble?
Because they’re always down-to-shuttle.
29. What’s a runner’s favorite piece of furniture?
The sprint chair!
30. Why did the track coach become a musician?
He had perfect tempo.
31. What’s a kayaker’s favorite movie?
Row-cky!
32. What do you call an all-star mathlete?
A problem solver and a scorer!
33. Why was the chess player a great babysitter?
Because they always looked out for pawns.
34. Why did the soccer player sit on the sideline at band practice?
To keep the tempo in check!
35. What’s the basketball team’s favorite horror movie?
Dunk-ula!
36. Why was the skier banned from the library?
They kept going downhill!
37. What did the referee say to the unruly pancake?
You’re out of batter!
38. Why don’t race car drivers ever get lost?
They always know how to take the right turn.
39. What’s a boxer’s favorite type of candy?
Jaw-breakers.
40. Why did the weightlifter break up with their partner?
They felt too much pressure to lift their relationship.
41. What do baseball players call ghosts?
Field boos.
42. Why did the soccer player carry a book about nutrients?
To stay ahead of the game.
43. What do you call a fishing tournament champion?
A reel winner!
44. How do swimmers clean their pools?
They chlorine together.
45. Why don’t golfers ever need maps?
They’re always on course.
46. What’s a sprinter’s breakfast of choice?
Fast food.
47. Why are basketball players the best roommates?
They’re great at rebounds.
48. Why are Olympians such bad liars?
Because they always go for the gold.
49. What did the soccer player say to the ball?
Catch you goal-side later!
50. Why do hockey players love math?
They excel at calculating angles.
51. What do you call a marathon that’s also a comedy show?
A running gag!
52. Why do basketball teams have bad chefs?
They always dribble while cooking.
53. What’s a skier’s favorite type of magic trick?
Snow illusions.
54. Why was the track runner such a good singer?
They had great range.
55. How do soccer players cheer up their teammates?
With a kick of humor.
56. Why did the figure skater never gamble?
They were on thin ice as it was.
57. What is a football stadium’s favorite thing to eat?
Hotshots!
58. Why did the lifeguard join the swim team?
She thought it would be shore fun!
59. Why do badminton players always carry extra birdies?
Spare-rows.
60. What do you call an athletic ghost?
The running dead.
61. Why did the cheerleader bring a math book to practice?
To learn how to count on her moves!
62. How does a curling player get their hair so perfect?
They sweep up every morning.
63. Why do tennis players never argue with their coaches?
Because their arguments won’t hold court.
64. What’s a swimmer’s least favorite candy?
Anything dry!
65. How do you tell a secret to a softball player?
Under-pitch!
66. Why do cricket players always seem relaxed?
They just go with the flow.
67. What did the golfer yell when his ball went missing?
Fore-ever gone!
68. Why are bowlers great dinner guests?
They know how to “roll” with it.
69. Why did the rookie quarterback bring soap to practice?
He wanted a clean slate!
70. What does a wrestler use to clean up?
They tag out with a towel!
71. Why was the soccer ball so quiet after the game?
It was deflated.
72. What’s a sprinter’s favorite drink?
High-speed water.
73. Why are football stadiums always so windy?
They’re full of fans!
74. Why don’t baseball players tell secrets?
Too many bats in the dugout.
75. How does a hurdler trust themselves?
They take a leap of faith.
76. What’s a referee’s dream job?
Judging panel shows.
77. Why did the volleyball player bring a whistle to lunch?
No foul play allowed.
78. What did the coach say to the soda can?
You’re too flat for my team.
79. Why don’t athletes nap before a game?
They can’t turn off “rest mode.”
80. How do you know a cricket match is funny?
When you see everyone bowled over!
81. Why do gymnasts make the best superheroes?
They’re flexible in any situation.
82. What’s a tennis player’s outfit made of?
Strings attached!
83. How does a soccer player make decisions?
They kick around some ideas.
84. Why are sprinters so reliable?
They’re always running on time.
85. What’s a bowler’s ultimate goal?
To stay in the strike zone!
Share the laughter, spread the cheer
Good sportsmanship is nothing without a heaping dose of humor. Whether you’re cracking these jokes between plays or using them as icebreakers with the opposition, a good laugh is the ultimate game-changer.
If these witty sportsmanship jokes tickled your funny bone, don’t keep them all to yourself—bookmark this page, share it with your teammates, and spread the cheer on social media. Let’s aim for the ultimate prize: making the world laugh, one joke at a time.
