Honolulu’s warm climate and scenic landscapes make it an ideal location for year-round sports and outdoor activities. Recognized as the fittest city in the United States by Men’s Fitness in 2004, the city hosts several major sporting events annually. The Honolulu Marathon, one of the world’s largest, attracts over 20,000 participants each December, with a significant portion coming from Japan. The Great Aloha Run, held on Presidents' Day, and the Honolulu Triathlon, an Olympic-distance event governed by USA Triathlon, further highlight the city’s dedication to endurance sports. Honolulu was also the birthplace of the Ironman Hawaii, the first-ever Ironman triathlon, now a global championship.

Water sports thrive in Honolulu, with the Waikiki Roughwater Swim, a 2.4-mile race established in 1970, drawing elite swimmers to the pristine waters of Waikiki Beach.

While Honolulu does not have a professional sports team, fans passionately support the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s football, volleyball, basketball, rugby, and baseball programs. The city has a storied past with teams such as the Hawaii Islanders (Pacific Coast League) and The Hawaiians (World Football League). Notably, Honolulu hosted the NFL Pro Bowl for decades, from 1980 to 2009 and intermittently until 2016.

Honolulu has also made a name in baseball, with the Honolulu Little League team securing victories at the 2018 and 2022 Little League World Series, dominating their opponents with impressive performances.

In 2024, Honolulu became the official home of the Pokémon World Championships, further solidifying its status as a global hub for competitive events.

The city’s sporting venues include Les Murakami Stadium for baseball, the Stan Sheriff Center for basketball and volleyball, and the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Arena for various indoor sports. While Aloha Stadium, once a centerpiece for football and soccer, was closed in 2020, plans for a new state-of-the-art stadium were announced in 2022, ensuring Honolulu remains a premier destination for sporting events.