This article talks about the main national and international games and their associated trophies or cups.

Sports play a very important role in promoting team spirit, discipline, and international friendship.

Each sport has its own major tournaments and trophies that represent victory, pride, and excellence.

Knowing the names of these trophies is very useful for general knowledge and competitive exams.

 1. Cricket

Cricket is one of the most popular sports in India and the world. Many domestic and international tournaments have famous trophies.

Trophy / CupLevelOrganised By / Associated With
The AshesInternationalPlayed between England and Australia
ICC Cricket World Cup TrophyInternationalICC (ODI format)
ICC T20 World Cup TrophyInternationalICC (T20 format)
Ranji TrophyNationalIndian domestic cricket (BCCI)
Duleep TrophyNationalInter-zonal cricket tournament in India
Irani CupNationalPlayed between Ranji champions and Rest of India
Vijay Hazare TrophyNationalIndian limited-overs tournament
Deodhar TrophyNationalOne-day format between Indian zones

 Key Fact: India won the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1983 and 2011, and the T20 World Cup in 2007.

 2. Hockey

Hockey is India’s national game and has a glorious Olympic history.

Trophy / CupLevelDetails
Sultan Azlan Shah CupInternationalAnnual invitational tournament held in Malaysia
Champions TrophyInternationalTop hockey nations’ tournament
Hockey World Cup TrophyInternationalOrganised by FIH
Beighton CupNationalOldest hockey tournament in India
Rangaswami CupNationalMen’s national hockey championship of India
Lady Ratan Tata TrophyNationalWomen’s hockey championship

 Key Fact: India has won 8 Olympic gold medals in hockey — the highest by any country.

 3. Football (Soccer)

Football is the most widely played game in the world, with many famous cups and leagues.

Trophy / CupLevelOrganised By / Country
FIFA World Cup TrophyInternationalOrganised by FIFA every 4 years
UEFA Champions League TrophyInternationalTop European clubs
Copa América TrophyInternationalSouth American football
Durand CupNationalIndia’s oldest football tournament (since 1888)
Santosh TrophyNationalInter-state football competition in India
Subroto CupNationalSchool-level football tournament in India
Federation Cup (India)NationalOrganised by AIFF

 Key Fact: The Durand Cup is the oldest football tournament in Asia.

 4. Tennis

Tennis has both national and international cups played in singles, doubles, and team formats.

Trophy / CupLevelDetails
Davis CupInternationalMen’s international team tennis tournament
Fed Cup (Billie Jean King Cup)InternationalWomen’s team tennis tournament
Wimbledon TrophyInternationalWorld’s oldest tennis tournament (UK)
US Open TrophyInternationalAnnual hard-court tournament (USA)
French Open Cup (Roland Garros)InternationalClay-court tournament (France)
Australian Open TrophyInternationalHard-court tournament (Australia)

 Key Fact: Winning all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single year is called a Calendar Grand Slam.

 5. Badminton

Trophy / CupLevelDetails
Thomas CupInternationalMen’s world team championship
Uber CupInternationalWomen’s world team championship
Sudirman CupInternationalMixed team world championship
Syed Modi International TrophyNationalIndian badminton championship
All England ChampionshipInternationalOne of the oldest badminton events

 Key Fact: India won the Thomas Cup for the first time in 2022.

 6. Other Important Games and Their Trophies

GameTrophy / CupLevel / Details
Table TennisCorbillon Cup (Women), Swaythling Cup (Men)International
GolfRyder Cup, Walker CupInternational
BasketballFIBA World CupInternational
VolleyballWorld Cup, Asian ChampionshipInternational
KabaddiPro Kabaddi League Trophy, Kabaddi World CupNational / International
ChessCandidates Trophy, FIDE World ChampionshipInternational
PoloEzra Cup, President’s CupNational
RugbyWebb Ellis CupInternational
ShootingISSF World CupInternational
BoxingVal Barker TrophyInternational

 Quick Revision Table

SportTrophy / CupType
CricketRanji Trophy, Irani Cup, World Cup, The AshesNational / International
HockeySultan Azlan Shah, Beighton Cup, Rangaswami CupNational / International
FootballDurand Cup, FIFA World Cup, Santosh TrophyNational / International
TennisDavis Cup, Wimbledon, US OpenInternational
BadmintonThomas Cup, Uber Cup, Syed Modi TrophyNational / International
GolfRyder CupInternational
KabaddiWorld Cup, Pro Kabaddi TrophyInternational / National
ChessFIDE World ChampionshipInternational
PoloEzra CupNational

 Interesting Facts

  • The Durand Cup (1888) is India’s oldest football trophy.
  • The Ranji Trophy (1934) is the premier first-class cricket competition in India.
  • The Davis Cup (1900) is often called the “World Cup of Tennis.”
  • India’s badminton rise was marked by the Thomas Cup victory in 2022.
  • The Ezra Cup is the oldest polo tournament in the world, started in Kolkata.