Quidditch
The greatest game on a broomstick
Soar into the wizarding world's favourite sport. Learn the rules and positions, test your knowledge with our Quidditch quiz, meet the legendary champions, and play Quidditch mini-games — all in one place.
What is Quidditch?
Quidditch is the most popular sport in the wizarding world, played high in the air on flying broomsticks. Two teams of seven witches and wizards battle across a vast oval pitch ringed by towering goal hoops, while enchanted balls streak through the air around them. Fast, dangerous and wildly unpredictable, it is a game where a single catch can overturn an entire match in a heartbeat — which is exactly why the whole wizarding world is obsessed with it.
- Played High in the AirEvery player flies a broomstick, weaving and diving hundreds of feet above the ground. Speed, balance and nerve matter as much as strategy — a clumsy flier never lasts long in a real match.
- Three Kinds of BallA single match keeps four balls in play at once: the Quaffle used for scoring, two heavy Bludgers that try to knock players off their brooms, and the tiny, lightning-fast Golden Snitch that decides the game.
- Skill and SpectacleFrom breathtaking dives to last-second saves, Quidditch is a spectator's dream. Crowds pack the stands at Hogwarts and roar through the night at the Quidditch World Cup.
Know the Game
Before you take the quiz, get to grips with the seven players, the four balls and the simple-but-brutal scoring that decides every match of Quidditch.
Chasers (×3)
The three Chasers handle the red Quaffle, passing it between them and hurling it through the opposing team's hoops. Quick thinking and slick teamwork in the air make a great Chaser line.
Beaters (×2)
Armed with short wooden bats, the two Beaters defend their teammates by smashing the rogue Bludgers toward the opposition — and away from their own side. They are the bruisers of the team.
Keeper (×1)
The Keeper guards the team's three goal hoops, diving and hovering to block the Quaffle. A brilliant Keeper can frustrate even the sharpest Chasers and keep a team in the game.
Seeker (×1)
The Seeker has one job: find and catch the Golden Snitch before the rival Seeker. It is worth a huge 150 points and almost always ends the match — making the Seeker the most watched player on the pitch.
The Four Balls
One Quaffle (for scoring), two Bludgers (enchanted to attack players) and one Golden Snitch (a winged golden ball the size of a walnut) are all in flight at the same time. Keeping track of every one of them is half the battle.
Scoring & Winning
Each goal through a hoop scores 10 points; catching the Snitch scores 150 and usually ends play. There is no time limit, so a match can last minutes — or famously, for days — until a Seeker finally seizes the Snitch.
Champions of the Game
From the fierce house rivalry at Hogwarts to the thunder of the World Cup, Quidditch crowns legends at every level. These are the matches and players that became part of wizarding history.
Quidditch at a Glance
The numbers that define the wizarding world's wildest sport.
Players per team
7
Three Chasers, two Beaters, a Keeper and a Seeker
Points for the Snitch
150
And it usually ends the match
Possible fouls
700
All recorded — and all banned
Play Quidditch Games
Grab a broom and put your skills to the test. Three Quidditch mini-games are taking flight soon — master each role on the pitch and chase the perfect score.
Take on the role of Seeker. Track the darting Snitch across the pitch and snatch it before the rival Seeker — pure reflex, focus and split-second timing.
Coming soonGuard the three goal hoops and block a relentless barrage of incoming Quaffles. Read the Chasers, anticipate the shot, and dive to make the save.
Coming soonWield your bat and knock away the rogue Bludgers before they smash into your teammates. Time every swing and protect your team from the chaos.
Coming soonQuidditch Frequently Asked Questions
Everything new fliers want to know about the rules, the positions and the lore of Quidditch.
How many players are on a Quidditch team?
Seven players make up a Quidditch team: three Chasers who score with the Quaffle, two Beaters who control the Bludgers, one Keeper who guards the hoops, and one Seeker who chases the Golden Snitch.
How do you win a game of Quidditch?
A team wins by having the most points when the game ends. The game ends the moment a Seeker catches the Golden Snitch, which is worth 150 points — usually, but not always, enough to win. If a team is more than 150 points behind, catching the Snitch may simply end a defeat rather than secure a win.
What are the four balls used in Quidditch?
One Quaffle (a red ball used to score goals), two Bludgers (heavy black balls bewitched to knock players off their brooms), and one Golden Snitch (a tiny winged golden ball that the Seekers race to catch).
How many points is the Golden Snitch worth?
Catching the Golden Snitch is worth 150 points and ends the match. Because a single goal is worth only 10 points, catching the Snitch is almost always decisive — which is why the Seeker is such a vital role.
What position does Harry Potter play?
Harry is a Seeker for the Gryffindor house team — recruited in his very first year as the youngest house Seeker in a century after a remarkable display of natural flying talent.
How long does a Quidditch match last?
There is no fixed time limit. A match continues until a Seeker catches the Snitch or the captains agree to end it. Most matches last a few hours, but professional games have been known to run for days.
What is the Wronski Feint?
The Wronski Feint is a famous Seeker manoeuvre: a steep fake dive straight toward the ground designed to trick the opposing Seeker into following and crashing. Viktor Krum performed a legendary one at the 1994 World Cup final.
Are there real-world Quidditch games?
Yes! Fans created a ground-based version of the sport played on foot, and our site is building digital Quidditch mini-games you can play right here — starting with Catch the Golden Snitch, Keeper's Defense and Beater's Bludger Bash.
Ready to Take Flight?
Test your knowledge with the Quidditch quiz, share your rank with friends, and be first on the pitch when our Quidditch games launch.