Please note: As we continue to learn more about COVID-19, the information in this article may change. You can find our most up-to-date information about coronavirus here.

After spending the spring and summer away from their favorite sports, many kids are itching to play. But what sports are okay to do during COVID-19? Are some sports safer than others? To help you, we’ve put together a list of sports and their relative risk factors.

Before you or your kids engage in any sports, you should carefully consider the unique risks associated with each sport and, when possible, make modifications prior to your return. In general, the following factors determine the risk of COVID-19 transmission:

  • Physical closeness: proximity, frequency, duration
  • Setting (indoor vs outdoor) and ability to ventilate
  • Shared equipment
  • Ability to social distance when not in play
  • Size of team, number of participants

Based on the above factors, we have categorized common sports from least risky to highest risk of COVID-19 transmission.

relative safety of sports during covid

You can also view a PDF to read more details about the risk of transmission in sports and our suggestions to help decrease the risk for each sport.

Subscribe to our newsletter and get free parenting tips delivered to your inbox every week!

Related Content

Little skier having fun at sunny snowy day
sports equipment
sad basketball player
teen boy at football practice
father and son playing catch
illustration of parents kissing a baby
boy giving thumbs up after vaccine
little boy getting flu shot
baby getting vaccine
boy holding his head
girl pitching softball
illustration of covid test
G6PD vial
group of kids texting
mother comforting son
mother comforting sad child
rendering of the omicron coronavirus variant
illustration of car with presents in snow
baby grabbing surgical mask
0 replies

Leave a Comment

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.