Let’s be honest, not everyone in your sports team or club is walking away with MVP. But everyone probably did something ridiculous and that made the team laugh this season.
Maybe someone managed to forget their shin pads every single week. Maybe someone perfected the art of tripping over flat ground. Maybe your goalie thinks defense is optional.
This is where funny sports awards shine. They turn those "remember when?" moments into something glorious, shiny, and custom-engraved.
So here are some ideas for fun and funny awards you can give out as the end of the season approaches so that everyone walks away from awards night feeling appreciated.
Why Funny Sports Awards Work (and How to Make Them Even Better)
Sure, serious awards matter. But funny ones? They’re what people really remember.
They capture the weird, wonderful, and sometimes even chaotic moments that turned your group of players into a team. Whether it’s a youth club, adult league, or a bunch of friends who take Tuesday night five aside way too seriously, funny sports awards are the glue that holds the season together.
Here’s how to get them right:
1. Start with the team group chat
Scroll back. Way back. That time someone showed up to the game in mismatched shoes? That’s an award. The infamous voice note about missing practice because of “traffic and emotional damage”? Definitely award-worthy.
2. Ask around: “What’s this person known for?”
Teammates usually know exactly what makes someone award material. You’ll hear things like:
- “He does that weird stretch in every warmup.”
- “She yells 'mine' even when the ball’s clearly going out.”
- “He’s always got snacks. Even in goal.”
These are the moments you want to capture.
3. Talk to the coach or captain
They remember everything, especially the stuff players try to forget. The late arrivals. The dramatic falls. The time someone celebrated a goal that didn’t count. Perfect award material.
4. Make it look legit
Funny doesn’t mean cheap. A solid, well-made medal with a ridiculous title is way funnier than a paper printout. It turns a joke into a keepsake.
13 Actually Funny Sports Award Ideas
Not all heroes wear capes. Some just bring snacks, fall down a lot, or take warm-ups way too seriously. Here’s a lineup of funny sports awards that are weirdly accurate and painfully deserved.
1. The Fashionably Late Award
For the player who hasn’t arrived on time since the first practice. Somehow still always surprised when the warm-up is already over.
2. Most Likely to “Forget” Their Wallet
Always there for the post-match meal. Never quite there when the bill shows up.
3. Best Excuse for Missing Practice
From “my dog had anxiety” to “the moon was too bright.” No one spins a tale quite like this legend.
4. The Accidental MVP
Scored the winning point completely by mistake. Probably still not sure how it happened. Doesn’t matter, they own it now.
5. Most Dramatic Dive
No contact? No problem. This player hits the ground like they're gunning for an Oscar. Bonus points for slow-motion replays when the award is being delivered.
6. Walking Injury Report
If there's tape, a brace, or an ice pack nearby, it's on them. Yet somehow never misses a game.
7. Snack MVP
Did they bring energy gels? Nope. A Costco-sized bag of crisps? Absolutely. Their real sport is snacking with style.
8. Team Uber Driver
If you played an away game, it’s because they got you there. The playlist? Questionable. The dedication? Unmatched.
9. Loudest From the Sidelines
Injured, benched, or just resting, but you’d never know it from the screaming. Honestly could coach the team with that voice alone.
10. Most Likely to Celebrate Too Early
Whether it's a goal that hit the post or a race that wasn’t over, this player is ready to party at the wrong moment every time.
11. The Gear Hoarder
Carries three water bottles, two sets of shin pads, and an extra jersey. Always "borrowing" tape. May or may not run a small sporting goods store out of their bag.
12. Most Likely to Coach The Coach
Has notes. Constantly. Sometimes right, always vocal.
13. The “How Are You Still Standing?” Award
No fitness training. Eats like a teenager. Still outruns half the team. Science may never explain it.
How to Turn Inside Jokes Into Award-Winning Material
The funniest sports awards aren’t pulled from a list of come from stats, and they definitely shouldnt genuinely make anyone's feelings get hurt. Instead they should come from your team’s weirdest moments. The ones that make everyone groan, laugh, or threaten to bring it up every season from now until forever. Here’s how to turn that goldmine into actual awards.
1. Name the Joke
If it’s going on a medal, it needs a title. The funnier and more specific, the better.
Think beyond generic and lame things like:
- “Late Again Larry”
- “The Snack Bandit”
- “Sir Trips-a-Lot”
You could try things a bit more interesting like:
- “The Tactical Timeout (aka when they ‘needed to tie a shoelace’ every time we were losing)”
- Snack-quisition Specialist
- The Casualty Magnet
- Full Kit, No Quit (Shows up in brand-new gear, zero idea what’s happening. Committed to the look.)
Use puns, alliteration, or fake-serious titles to make it sound official, even if the story behind it isn’t.
2. Write a One-Line Description
Under the award title, include a short explanation in the award ceremony or printed on the medal insert.
For example:
- “For consistently arriving 30 minutes late, but always with iced coffee.”
- “For tripping over absolutely nothing… and somehow blaming the wind.”
- “For knowing everyone's stats, schedule, and sun sign.”
This makes the moment funnier, and keeps the context alive for future seasons.
3. Let the Team Vote (Carefully)
Want to make it even better? Secretly poll the team on a few “fan favorite” awards. You’ll get honest answers, and probably a few brilliant suggestions you didn’t think of.
You can:
- Have people nominate each other anonymously
- Do a quick poll after a game or on the team group chat
- Ask one question: “Who’s the most unintentionally hilarious teammate this year?”
Just make sure the goal is always to celebrate, not embarrass. Keep it light, never mean.
How to Make Funny Sports Awards Look Legit (Because That’s What Makes Them Funnier)
Here’s the thing about funny sports awards: they hit way harder when they look like they matter.
There’s something magical about handing someone a heavyweight, professionally designed medal with the words “Most Dramatic Dive” engraved in gold. It’s that contrast, between “this is ridiculous” and “this looks like an Olympic prize”, that turns a simple inside joke into a legendary moment.
Here’s how to do it right:
Use real materials, not throwaways
A cheap plastic trophy from the discount aisle won’t make anyone laugh, it just makes the joke feel like an afterthought. Go for a custom medal with actual weight to it. A metal finish. A decent ribbon. It feels important, which makes the joke funnier.
Make the engraving specific
A great, funny custom award isn’t just “Most Injuries.” It’s “Captain of the Ice Pack Club – 2025 Season”. The more specific, the better. You can even include nicknames, quotes, or short punchlines.
Match your sport or team vibe
Whether you're a small football squad, an adult netball league, or a school rugby team, make the medals yours. Use team colours. Add a custom icon or shape (like a water bottle, whistle, or even a donut if that’s on brand).
Looking for ideas? Check out our rugby awards for inspiration.
Custom doesn’t mean complicated, Medal Studio can help you pull it off fast and easy.
Wrap-Up
Funny sports awards aren’t just a laugh, they’re how you bottle up a season’s worth of chaos, camaraderie, and questionable decisions. Make them personal, make them high-quality, and make them unforgettable.
Ready to turn your team’s inside jokes into medals they’ll actually keep? Let’s make something hilarious.
Updated: 23/06/2025