International sports bring together athletes from different countries in a spirit of competition and friendship. The rules and regulations for the sport vary from country to country, as established by international federations such as FIFA (soccer), FIBA (basketball) and the IOC (Olympic Games).

Although international sports influence culture in many ways, they can also unite people in a shared sense of national pride and identity. They may also promote certain values and ideals, such as teamwork and fair play. They can also help shape the attitudes and behavior of young people.

Aside from the social benefits, international sporting events can have significant economic impacts. They attract visitors who spend money on hotels, food and transportation, as well as on merchandise such as hats and T-shirts. In addition, the construction and maintenance of stadiums creates employment opportunities for local workers.

There is a growing recognition of the positive role that international sports can play in achieving the United Nations’ goals for sustainable development and peace. This is highlighted by the fact that 6 April was declared the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP 2025). The theme for IDSDP 2025 is ‘Social Inclusion: empowering communities’, which aims to encourage greater inclusion by raising awareness, celebrating success stories and fostering discussion on critical issues such as gender equality, health, aging and racial equality. In addition, the International Journal of Sport Studies is a leading publication for research in this area and has been publishing since the 1960s.