How to Write a Sports Report

Reviewed by Gerald Posner

Last Updated: August 7, 2024 Fact Checked

A sports report tells the reader what happened in a game or match, including the highlights and anything controversial or groundbreaking that may have occurred. It is the role of the writer to bring the sporting event back to life for the reader without miring the reader in dull details or personal interpretations. A sports report is a good way to learn about the art of writing concisely, carefully and with tempered enthusiasm.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Before you start writing

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1
Research the event that you are going to write about in detail. It's important to know what you're talking about, so that you can describe the relevant goals, fouls, moves and equipment with expertise. Extra background information such as quotes, statistics, and team news are great to know too, as they'll make your report stand out from any other recount of that particular match.^{[1]
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- What do you know about individual players? Try to read up on their backgrounds to gain an idea of their personalities, past sporting history and hopes for the future. This human element can add a lot to your writing, helping to make these people more real to the readers.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Writing the report

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1
Start by describing the atmosphere, or something that may have happened before the game or event. This will 'set the scene' for the reader.
- For example: "Conditions looked difficult for the two teams, despite the groundsman's best efforts to clear the pitch before the game."
Include things like who had the first shot, and which team started the strongest, any missing players or the form of particular players as they went onto the field or arena.^{[2]
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3
Describe the important events. This means detailing the goals, the sendings off and any altercations. If there is a groundbreaking achievement, such as "the first time" something has ever happened in that sport, be sure to detail it well, as the readers will be extremely curious. Fill in the gaps with statistics.
- For example: "For the next twenty minutes, the home side dominated - with 80 percent possession."
4
When recounting a goal, describe the build up. For example, if the goal came from a free kick, then mention that a foul was committed, which resulted in the set piece. After explaining that, go onto describe how the goal was scored.^{[3]
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- For example: "The resulting free kick was beautifully curled into the top right corner."

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Finishing off

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1
End your report with a summary of what happened. This can include a discussion of what the result means to the teams involved, such as whether they survived to another round or are out of the series. If it's an individual, explain what this sports player is likely headed for next, such as another championship round or retirement.^{[4]
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- For example: "The victory lifted them out of the relegation zone and into the top half of the table."

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Tips

Read many other sports writers' work to glean from their work what styles you like the most and what sorts of phrasing, expressions and wording you think you'd like to adopt when developing your own sports writing style.

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Be careful as to how much of your own opinion you inject into the sports report. If you're an authority on the sport, you will have more liberty to pass judgment on things that happened in the game or event but if not, hold back on making such expert judgments and instead, seek to get across the correct facts backed up by statistics and interview quotes.

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