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This is a list of international sports federations, each of which serves as a non-governmental governing body for a given sport and administers its sport at a world level, most often crafting rules, promoting the sport to prospective spectators and fans, developing prospective players, and organizing world or continental championships. Some international sports federations, such as the International Swimming Federation and the International Skating Union, may oversee multiple activities referred to in common parlance as separate sports: FINA, for example governs swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, and water polo as separate "disciplines" within the single "sport" of Aquatics.

International sports federations form an integral part of the Olympic and Paralympic movements. Each Olympic sport is represented by its respective international sports federation, which in turn helps administer the events in its respective sport during the Games. For a sport to become an Olympic sport, its international sports federation must be recognized by the International Olympic Committee.[1]

Likewise, an international sports federation must be recognized by the International Paralympic Committee for its sport to become a paralympic sport, though in the latter case, several Paralympic Sports are governed by a dedicated committee of the International Paralympic Committee itself, under the World Para branding, for example track and field athletics for disabled athletes is governed by the IPC itself, under the name "World Para Athletics". Other Paralympic sports are governed within the structure of the able-bodied equivalent: for example, the UCI governs both able-bodied and paralympic cycling.

Federations recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF)

The following are recognised by the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF):

Sport Federation Annual revenue
(USD Millions)[2]
Aquatics FINA (Fédération internationale de natation) 33.92 (2018)
Archery World Archery Federation (WA) 3.81 (2019)
Athletics World Athletics (formerly International Association of Athletics Federations; IAAF) 55 (2019)
Badminton Badminton World Federation (BWF) 25.79 (2019)
Basketball FIBA 102.2 (2018)
Boxing (amateur) International Boxing Association (formerly Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur; AIBA) 8.52 (2018)
Canoeing International Canoe Federation (ICF) 0.87 (2018)
Cycling Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) (or International Cycling Union, ICU) 41.86 (2018)
DanceSport World DanceSport Federation (WDSF)
Equestrianism International Federation for Equestrian Sports (Fédération Équestre Internationale, FEI) 65.08 (2018)
Fencing Fédération Internationale d'Escrime (FIE) 6.35 (2018)
Football/Soccer FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) 4640 (2018)
Golf International Golf Federation (IGF) 0.58 (2018)
Gymnastics Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) (International Gymnastics Federation, IFG) 17.32 (2019)
Handball International Handball Federation (IHF) 19.89 (2018)
Field hockey Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) (International Hockey Federation) 14.08 (2018)
Judo International Judo Federation (IJF) 31.11 (2018)
Modern pentathlon Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM) 0.59 (2018)
Rowing Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d'Aviron (FISA) (International Rowing Federation) 7.11 (2018)
Rugby union World Rugby (WR) 33.46 (2018)
Sailing World Sailing 11.89 (2018)
Shooting sports International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) 5.35 (2017)
Table tennis International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) 21.35 (2018)
Taekwondo World Taekwondo (WT) 10.19 (2018)
Tennis International Tennis Federation (ITF) 72.84 (2018)
Triathlon International Triathlon Union (ITU) 8.04 (2018)
Volleyball and beach volleyball Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) 65.34 (2017)
Weightlifting International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) 4.10 (2018)
Wrestling United World Wrestling (UWW) 5.12 (2017)

Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF)

The following are recognized by the Association of International Olympic Winter Sports Federations (AIOWF):

Sport Federation
Biathlon International Biathlon Union (IBU)
Bobsleigh and skeleton International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF)
Curling World Curling Federation (WCF)
Ice hockey International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)
Ice skating (including figure skating, speed skating, and short-track speed skating) International Skating Union (ISU)
Luge Fédération Internationale de Luge de Course (FIL)
Skiing (including Alpine, Nordic combined, cross-country, freestyle, and ski jumping) and snowboarding Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS)

Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF)

The following are recognised by the Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF):[3]

Sport Federation Discipline Federation
Air sports (including aerobatics, air racing, ballooning, gliding, hang gliding, and parachuting/skydiving) Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI)
American football International Federation of American Football (IFAF)
Auto racing Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA)
Bandy Federation of International Bandy (FIB)
Baseball, softball, and Baseball5[4] World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC)
Basque pelota Fédération Internationale de Pelota Vasca (FIPV)
Billiard sports (including carom billiards, pocket billiards (pool), and snooker) World Confederation of Billiards Sports (WCBS) Carom Union Mondiale de Billard (UMB)
Pool World Pool-Billiard Association (WPA)
Snooker International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF)
Boules sports Confédération Mondiale des Sports de Boules (CMSB) Bocce Confederazione Boccistica Internazionale (CBI)
Boule lyonnaise Fédération Internationale de Boules (FIB)
Pétanque Fédération Internationale de Pétanque et Jeu Provençal (FIPJP)
Bowling International Bowling Federation (IBF) Ten-pin bowling World Tenpin Bowling Association (WTBA)
Nine-pin bowling World Ninepin Bowling Association (WNBA)
Bridge World Bridge Federation (WBF)
Cheerleading International Cheer Union (ICU)
Chess Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE)[5][6][7]
Climbing and mountaineering Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme (UIAA)
Cricket International Cricket Council (ICC)[8]
Floorball International Floorball Federation (IFF)
Flying disc World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF)
Ice stock sport International Federation IceStockSport (IFI)
Karate World Karate Federation (WKF)
Kickboxing World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO)
Korfball International Korfball Federation (IKF)
Lacrosse Federation of International Lacrosse
Life saving International Life Saving Federation (ILS)
Motorcycle sport Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM)
Muaythai International Federation of Muaythai Amateur (IFMA)
Netball International Netball Federation (INF)
Orienteering International Orienteering Federation (IOF)
Polo Federation of International Polo (FIP)
Powerboating Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM)
Racquetball International Racquetball Federation (IRF)
Roller sports (including inline hockey, roller racing, rink hockey, roller derby, skateboarding, and artistic roller skating) World Skate (WS)
Sambo Fédération Internationale de Sambo (FIAS)
Ski mountaineering International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF)
Sport climbing International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC)
Squash World Squash Federation (WSF)
Sumo International Sumo Federation (ISF)
Surfing and bodyboarding International Surfing Association (ISA)
Tug-of-war Tug-of-War International Federation (TWIF)
Underwater sports Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques (CMAS)
University sports Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire (FISU)
Water skiing and wakeboarding (including cable skiing and cable wakeboarding) International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF)
Wushu International Wushu Federation (IWUF)

Federations recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)

There are 11 international federations recognized by the IPC, while the IPC itself serves as the international federation for 10 sports.[9][10]

On 30 November 2016, the IPC adopted the "World Para" brand for all 10 of the sports that it directly governs.[11]

Sport Federation
Alpine skiing World Para Alpine Skiing
Archery World Archery Federation (WA)
Athletics World Para Athletics
Badminton Parabadminton World Federation (PBWF) / Badminton World Federation (BWF)[12]
Boccia Boccia International Sports Federation (BISFed)[13]
Cycling Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
Equestrian International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI)
Flying disc World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF)
Nordic skiing (including biathlon and cross-country skiing) World Para Nordic Skiing
Para Dance Sport[i] World Para Dance Sport
Para ice hockey[ii] World Para Ice Hockey
Powerlifting World Para Powerlifting
Rowing International Rowing Federation (FISA)
Sailing International Association for Disabled Sailing (IADS)
Shooting[iii] World Shooting Para Sport
Snowboarding World Para Snowboard
Swimming World Para Swimming
Para table tennis International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
Volleyball World Organization Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD)
Wheelchair basketball International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF)
Wheelchair curling World Curling Federation (WCF)
Wheelchair rugby International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF)
Wheelchair tennis International Tennis Federation (ITF)
i At the time of the IPC's "World Para" rebranding, it changed the official name of the sport from "wheelchair dance sport" to "Para dance sport".[11]
ii At the time of the IPC's "World Para" rebranding, it changed the official name of the sport from "sledge hockey" to "Para ice hockey".[11]
iii At the time of the IPC's "World Para" rebranding, it changed the official name of the sport to "shooting Para sport".[11]

Disability specific organizations

Sport Federation
Paralympic sports for athletes with cerebral palsy Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA)
Football 7-a-side International Federation of Cerebral Palsy Football (IFCPF)
Football 5-a-side International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA)
Goalball International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA)
Judo International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA)
Wheelchair fencing International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS)
For athletes with an intellectual disability Inas

Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF)

Federations whose sports are either included in the Olympic Games (ASOIF, AIOWF) or recognized by the IOC (ARISF) are also members of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), formerly known as SportAccord. Other members of GAISF (non-IOC recognized) compose the Alliance of Independent Recognized Members of Sport (AIMS).

Sport Federation
Aikido International Aikido Federation (IAF)
Arm wrestling World Armwrestling Federation (WAF)
Bodybuilding International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness (IFBB)
Casting International Casting Sport Federation (ICSF)
Darts World Darts Federation (WDF)
Dragon boat racing International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF)
Draughts World Draughts Federation (FMJD)
Fishing International Confederation of Sport Fishing (CIPS)
Fistball International Fistball Association (IFA)
Go International Go Federation (IGF)
Sport Ju-Jitsu Ju-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF)
Kendo International Kendo Federation (IKF)
Miniature golf World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF)
Powerlifting International Powerlifting Federation (IPF)
Savate Federation Internationale de Savate (FISav)
Sepak takraw International Sepaktakraw Federation (ISTAF)
Sled dog sports International Federation of Sleddog Sports
Soft tennis International Soft Tennis Federation (ISTF)
Teqball International Federation of Teqball (FITEQ)

Other than full members (composing ASOIF, AIOWF, ARISF and AIMS), there are Associate members of GAISF.

Sport Federation
Commonwealth Games Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)
Masters Games International Masters Games Association (IMGA)
Mediterranean Games International Committee of Mediterranean Games (ICMG or CIJM)
Military World Games Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM)
World Mind Sports Games International Mind Sports Association (IMSA)
World Olympians Association (WOA)
Panathlon International (PI)
Paralympic Games International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
School Sports International School Sport Federation (ISF)
Special Olympics Special Olympics (SOI)
International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS)
Federation Internationale de Chiropratique du Sport (FICS)
Sports for the Deaf International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (CISS)
International Federation of Sports Medicine (FIMS)
International Sports Press Association (AIPS)
CSIT World Sports Games International Workers and Amateurs in Sports Confederation (CSIT)
World Games International World Games Association (IWGA)
World Union of Olympic Cities
World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry

Other international sports federations

Sport Federation
Aesthetic group gymnastics International Federation of Aesthetic Group Gymnastics (IFAAG)
Amputee football World Amputee Football Federation (WAFF)
Australian rules football Australian Football International (AFI)
Axe throwing International Axe Throwing Federation (IATF)
Beach handball World Beach Handball Association (WBHA)
Beach soccer Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
Beeni World Beeni Federation (WBF)
Brazilian jiu-jitsu International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF), Sport Jiu Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF)
Bodyboarding International Bodyboarding Association (IBA)
Bodybuilding, physique sports, and fitness World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation (WBPF)
Boot throwing International Bootthrowing Association (IBTA)
Canadian five-pin bowling Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers Association (C5PBA)
Bowls Professional Bowls Association (PBA)
Bowls World Bowls (WB)
Boxing World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF)
Broomball International Federation of Broomball Associations (IFBA)
Cageball Professional Cageball Association (PCA)
Chess International Amateur Chess Federation (IACF)
Correspondence chess International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF)
Corporate football International Federation of Corporate Football (FIFCO)
Cricket International Cricket Council (ICC)
Croquet World Croquet Federation (WCF)
Crossminton International Crossminton Organisation (ICO)
Debating World Debating Council (WDC)
Debating (in Spanish) Consejo Mundial de Debate (COMUDEES)
eSports International e-Sports Federation (IeSF), Global Esports Federation (GEF)
Dodgeball World Dodgeball Federation (WDBF)
Elephant polo World Elephant Polo Association (WEPF)
Floor tennis World Floor Tennis Federation (WFTF)
Footgolf Federation for International FootGolf (FIFG)
Futsal Asociación Mundial de Futsal (AMF)
Gaelic football Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)
Gaelic handball Irish Handball Council, United States Handball Association (USHA)
Gateball World Gateball Union (WGU)
Gillidanda Gilli Danda International Federation
Goalball International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA)
Golf The R&A; United States Golf Association (USGA)
Greyhound racing American Greyhound Track Operators Association (AGTOA), National Greyhound Racing Club (NGRC)
Ground golf International Ground Golf Federation (IGGF)
Gungdo World Kung-do Federation
Ham radio contesting, amateur radio direction finding, and high speed telegraphy International Amateur Radio Union (IARU)
Hapkido boxing Hapkido Boxing International Organization (HBIO)
Harness horse racing Harness Horsemen International (HHI), Union Europeenne du Trot (European Trotting Union) (UET)
Horseback archery International Horseback Archery Alliance (IHAA)
Horse racing International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA)
Horseshoes National Horseshoe Pitchers Association of America (NHPA)
Hurling Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)
Intercrosse Fédération Internationale d’Inter-Crosse (FIIC)
Juggling World Juggling Federation (WJF)
Kabaddi International Kabaddi Federation (IKF)
Kendo World Kendo Association
Kettlebell lifting International Union of Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL)
Kickboxing International Kickboxing Federation (IKF)
Kin-Ball International Kin-Ball Federation (IKBF)
Kite sports International Federation of Kitesports Organisations (IFKO)
Krav maga International Krav Maga Federation (IKMF)
Lethwei World Lethwei Federation (WLF)
Mahjong Mahjong International League (MIL), World Mahjong Organization (WMO)
Mallakhamb Mallakhamb Confederation of World (MCW)
Mixed martial arts International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), International Sport Combat Federation (ISCF)
Modern Arnis International Modern Arnis Federation (IMAF)
Mountain running World Mountain Running Association (WMRA)
Mountainboarding International Mountainboard Riders Association (IMRA)
Muay Thai International Kickboxing Federation (IKF)
Obstacle racing World Obstacle (FISO)
Obstacle sports (O-sport) World O-Sport Federation (WOF)
Paddleball National Paddleball Association (NPA)
Padel International Padel Federation (IPF)
Parkour World Freerunning Parkour Federation (WFPF)
Pencak Silat International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT)
Pesäpallo (Finnish baseball) Pesäpalloliitto
Pickleball International Federation of Pickleball (IFP)
Pigeon racing Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA)
Pogo stick World Pogo Stick Federation (WPSF)
Poker International Federation of Poker (IFP)
Pole dance International Pole Sports Federation (IPSF)
Practical shooting International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC)
Quidditch International Quidditch Association (IQA)
Quizzing International Quizzing Association (IQA)
Racketlon Fédération Internationale de Racketlon (International Racketlon Federation) (FIR)
Radio-controlled car racing International Federation of Model Auto Racing (IFMAR)
Rafting International Rafting Federation (IRF)
Renju Renju International Federation (RIF)
Ringball International Ringball Federation (IRBF)
Ringette International Ringette Federation (IRF)
Rogaining International Rogaining Federation (IRF)
Rounders National Rounders Association (NRA)
Rock-It-Ball International Rock-It-Ball Federation (IRIBF)
Rope skipping International Jump Rope Union (IJRU), World Rope Skipping Confederation (WRSC), International Rope Skipping Federation (IRSF), World Inter-School Rope Skipping Organisation (WIRSO), International Rope Skipping Organisation (IRSO)
Rubik's Cube World Cube Association (WCA)
Rugby fives Rugby Fives Association (RFA)
Rugby league Rugby League International Federation (RLIF)
Shinty Camanachd Association
Shuttlecock International Shuttlecock Federation
Silambam World Silambam Association (WSA)
Skateboarding World Skateboarding Federation (WSF); International Skateboarding Federation (ISF)
Skibobbing International Skibob Federation (FISB)
Slot car racing International Slot Racing Association (ISRA)
Sport jiu-jitsu Sport Jiu Jitsu International Federation (SJJIF)
Sport stacking World Sport Stacking Association (WSSA)
Ssireum World Ssireum Federation (WSF)
Street and ball hockey International Street And Ball Hockey Federation (ISBH)
Sqay International Council of Sqay (ICS)
Table hockey International Table Hockey Federation (ITHF)
Table football (Table soccer; foosball) International Table Soccer Federation (ITSF)
Tag World Chase Tag
Tank biathlon International Federation of Tank Biathlon
Targetball International Targetball Federation (ITF)
Tchoukball Fédération Internationale de Tchoukball
Tent pegging International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF)
Throwball International Throwball Federation (ITF)
Touch football Federation of International Touch (FIT)
Unicycling International Unicycling Federation (IUF)
Virtual motorsport Global Virtual Motorsport Association (GVMA)
Vovinam International Vovinam Federation (IVF), Vovinam-VietVoDao World Federation (VVWF)
VX Global VX[14]
Wheel gymnastics International Wheel Gymnastics Federation
Xiangqi World Xiangqi Federation (WXF)
Yoga Yogasports Confederation of World (YCW)
Miscellaneous

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ "Olympic Sports". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  2. ^ Perelman, Rich (24 May 2020). "Who's in the money? EXCLUSIVE analysis of our survey of International Federation finances". The Sports Examiner. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Members". Association of the IOC Recognised International Sports Federations. Retrieved 23 April 2016.
  4. ^ "High five: baseball5 hits the YOG". Olympics.com. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  5. ^ Recognised Sports of the International Olympic Committee International Olympic Committee official website. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
  6. ^ International Federation for Chess. International Olympic Committee official website. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
  7. ^ FIDE - Uniting the Chess World Archived 6 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine FIDE Official website. Retrieved 2 May 2008.
  8. ^ Cricket edges closer to Olympic roster AFP. Retrieved on 13 February 2010.
  9. ^ International Sports Federations, International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
  10. ^ Contacts - International Sports Federations (IFs), International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
  11. ^ a b c d "The IPC to rebrand the 10 sports it acts as International Federation for" (Press release). International Paralympic Committee. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  12. ^ PBWF/BWF gets IPC recognition, but Paralympics 2016 unfortunately without Parabadminton Archived 22 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Parabadminton World Federation (PBWF), 11 December 2010
  13. ^ "Governance & Organisation". Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
  14. ^ "GlobalVX". GLOBALVX. Retrieved 21 August 2015.

Further reading

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