This comprehensive list of 100 Important Cups and Trophies contains the most frequently asked tournaments, their associated sports, the year they were first started, the number of players per team, and the country where they originated or are most associated with. Carefully compiled based on previous year question papers of WBCS, SSC, Railway, WBSSC, and other government exams, this one-liner GK guide will help you quickly revise and remember the cup-trophy to sport mapping for your upcoming examinations.
CRICKET – 11 Players Each Team
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Ranji Trophy
India
1934
Duleep Trophy
India
1961
Irani Cup
India
1959
Deodhar Trophy
India
1973
Vijay Hazare Trophy
India
2002
Cooch Behar Trophy
India
1945
Ashes
England / Australia
1882
Border–Gavaskar Trophy
India / Australia
1996
Wisden Trophy
England / West Indies
1963
Asia Cup
Asia
1984
ICC World Cup
International
1975
ICC T20 World Cup
International
2007
Champions Trophy
International
1998
NKP Salve Trophy
India
1994
Rohinton Baria Trophy
India
1952
Vijay Merchant Trophy
India
1959
C.K. Nayudu Trophy
India
1973
Vinoo Mankad Trophy
India
1955
FOOTBALL – 11 Players Each
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
FIFA World Cup
International
1930
Durand Cup
India
1888
Santosh Trophy
India
1941
Subroto Cup
India
1960
Rovers Cup
India
1891
IFA Shield
India
1893
Federation Cup
India
1977
Nehru Cup
India
1982
Euro Cup
Europe
1960
Copa America
South America
1916
DCM Trophy
India
1950
Bordoloi Trophy
India
1952
Merdeka Cup
Malaysia
1957
King’s Cup
Thailand
1968
Tiger Cup
Southeast Asia
1996
HOCKEY – 11 Players Each Team
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Hockey World Cup
International
1971
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Malaysia
1983
Aga Khan Cup
India
1896
Beighton Cup
India
1895
Nehru Hockey Tournament
India
1980
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Gold Cup
India
1980
BADMINTON – 1 or 2 Players (Singles/Doubles)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Thomas Cup
International
1949
Uber Cup
International
1957
Sudirman Cup
International
1989
Yonex Cup
International
1981
Asia Badminton Championship Trophy
Asia
1962
TENNIS – 1 or 2 Players (Singles/Doubles)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Davis Cup
International
1900
Fed Cup (Billie Jean King Cup)
International
1963
Hopman Cup
International
1989
Australian Open Trophy
Australia
1905
French Open Trophy
France
1891
US Open Trophy
USA
1881
Wimbledon Trophy
England
1877
GOLF – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Ryder Cup
USA / Europe
1927
Walker Cup
USA / Great Britain
1922
British Open Trophy
Scotland / England
1860
HORSE RACING – 1 Jockey + Horse
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Derby Cup
England
1780
Indian Derby
India
1943
ROWING / YACHT RACING – Varies (Team/Solo)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
America’s Cup
USA
1851
Admiral’s Cup
England
1957
RUGBY – 15 Players Each Team
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Webb Ellis Cup
International
1987
Calcutta Cup
England / Scotland
1879
Bledisloe Cup
Australia / New Zealand
1931
ICE HOCKEY – 6 Players Each Team
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Stanley Cup
Canada / USA
1893
AMERICAN FOOTBALL – 11 Players Each
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Heisman Trophy
USA
1935
Grey Cup
Canada
1909
BASKETBALL – 5 Players Each Team
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
NBA Championship Trophy
USA
1947
TABLE TENNIS – 1 or 2 Players (Singles/Doubles)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Corbillon Cup
International
1933
Swaythling Cup
International
1926
VOLLEYBALL – 6 Players Each Team
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Indira Gandhi Gold Cup
India
1985
WRESTLING – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Maharaja Ranjit Singh Gold Cup
India
1972
BRIDGE – 4 Players (Pairs/Teams)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Holkar Trophy
India
1950
POLO – 4 Players Each Team
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Ezra Cup
India
1880
ROWING – Varies (Solo/Team)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
President’s Gold Cup
India
1980
SWIMMING – Individual/Relay
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Glenmark Aquatic Championship
India
2014
ATHLETICS – Individual/Relay
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Federation Cup
India
1996
CHESS – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
World Chess Championship Trophy
International
1886
BILLIARDS – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
IBSF World Billiards Trophy
International
1971
KABADDI – 7 Players Each Team
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Kabaddi World Cup
International
2004
KHO-KHO – 9 Players Each Team
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
National Kho-Kho Championship
India
1959
BOXING – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Mary Kom Trophy
India
2018
CYCLING – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Tour de France Trophy
France
1903
FORMULA 1 – 1 Driver (Individual/Team)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Formula 1 World Championship Trophy
International
1950
MOTORSPORT – 1 Rider (Individual/Team)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
MotoGP Trophy
International
1949
SHOOTING – 1 Player (Individual/Team)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
ISSF World Cup Trophy
International
1986
WEIGHTLIFTING – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
IWF World Cup Trophy
International
1980
JUDO – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
IJF World Judo Trophy
International
1956
TAEKWONDO – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
World Taekwondo Trophy
International
1973
ARCHERY – 1 Player (Individual/Team)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Archery World Cup Trophy
International
2006
GYMNASTICS – 1 Player (Individual/Team)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
FIG World Cup Trophy
International
1975
TRIATHLON – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Ironman World Championship
USA
1978
SURFING – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
World Surf League Trophy
International
1976
SKIING – 1 Player (Individual)
Cup / Trophy
Country
Started
Alpine Skiing World Cup
International
1967
MOST REPEATED IN EXAMS (Top 20)
Cup / Trophy
Sport
Players
Country
Started
Ranji Trophy
Cricket
11
India
1934
Santosh Trophy
Football
11
India
1941
Durand Cup
Football
11
India
1888
Thomas Cup
Badminton
1/2
International
1949
Uber Cup
Badminton
1/2
International
1957
Davis Cup
Tennis
1/2
International
1900
Ryder Cup
Golf
1
USA/Europe
1927
Stanley Cup
Ice Hockey
6
Canada/USA
1893
Sultan Azlan Shah Cup
Hockey
11
Malaysia
1983
Ashes
Cricket
11
England/Australia
1882
Beighton Cup
Hockey
11
India
1895
Nehru Cup
Football
11
India
1982
Subroto Cup
Football
11
India
1960
Irani Cup
Cricket
11
India
1959
Duleep Trophy
Cricket
11
India
1961
Deodhar Trophy
Cricket
11
India
1973
Hopman Cup
Tennis
1/2
International
1989
Bledisloe Cup
Rugby
15
Australia/NZ
1931
Calcutta Cup
Rugby
15
England/Scotland
1879
Webb Ellis Cup
Rugby
15
International
1987
Here are 10 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) based on the 100 Important Cups and Trophies list, perfect for competitive exam practice.
CUPS AND TROPHIES – MCQ Practice Set
1. The Ranji Trophy is associated with which sport? a) Football b) Hockey c) Cricket d) Badminton
Answer: c) Cricket
2. In which year was the Durand Cup, one of the oldest football tournaments in India, first started? a) 1888 b) 1901 c) 1941 d) 1960
Answer: a) 1888
3. The Thomas Cup is awarded in which sport? a) Tennis b) Badminton c) Table Tennis d) Golf
Answer: b) Badminton
4. Which country hosts the famous Wimbledon Trophy tournament? a) USA b) Australia c) France d) England
Answer: d) England
5. The Ashes series is played between which two countries? a) India and Pakistan b) England and Australia c) Australia and New Zealand d) India and England
Answer: b) England and Australia
6. How many players are there in a Hockey team on the field? a) 9 b) 10 c) 11 d) 7
Answer: c) 11
7. The Stanley Cup is associated with which sport? a) Basketball b) Ice Hockey c) Rugby d) American Football
Answer: b) Ice Hockey
8. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is contested between which two countries? a) England and Australia b) India and England c) India and Australia d) Australia and South Africa
Answer: c) India and Australia
9. The Santosh Trophy is associated with which sport? a) Cricket b) Hockey c) Football d) Volleyball
Answer: c) Football
10. In which year was the first FIFA World Cup held? a) 1924 b) 1930 c) 1938 d) 1950
Answer: b) 1930
BONUS QUESTIONS
11. The Davis Cup is associated with which sport? a) Badminton b) Lawn Tennis c) Table Tennis d) Golf
Answer: b) Lawn Tennis
12. The Uber Cup is the women’s equivalent of which men’s tournament? a) Davis Cup b) Thomas Cup c) Sudirman Cup d) Ryder Cup
Answer: b) Thomas Cup
13. The Sultan Azlan Shah Cup is associated with which sport? a) Football b) Cricket c) Hockey d) Badminton
Answer: c) Hockey
14. The Webb Ellis Cup is awarded to the winners of which sport’s World Cup? a) Rugby b) Football c) Hockey d) Cricket
Answer: a) Rugby
15. In which year was the ICC Cricket World Cup first held? a) 1975 b) 1983 c) 1979 d) 1987
