J.K. Rowling created the fictional sport of Quidditch for the Harry Potter world.
Quidditch is played by two teams flying on broomsticks. Players try to score through three hoops while also pursuing the Golden Snitch, a small flying ball whose capture usually ends the match and awards 150 points.
The sport first appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, where Harry joins the Gryffindor team as its Seeker. Rowling has said that the name was inspired by a fictional playing field called Queerditch Marsh, mentioned in her notes about the sport’s imagined history.
Quidditch should not be confused with wizard chess or Gobstones, which are other fictional games in the books. Real-world versions of Quidditch were later developed by fans, with rules adapted for players on the ground.