Game On: From World Cup to US Open, the Best Reads for Sports Fans

Whatever your favorite sport is, books are a great way to keep that game energy going, build hype for the next season, or stay in the mood long after the final whistle. From the World Cup to the NBA to the US Open, these are the kinds of reads that help sports fans stay plugged into the action even when the games are over.

If your love of sports starts with soccer, the World Cup is the perfect place to begin. Simon Kuper’s World Cup Fever: A Soccer Journey in Nine Tournaments is a smart, stylish read for fans who want a bigger picture of the tournament and the world around it. Franklin Foer’s How Soccer Explains the World remains a classic for readers who want to understand how deeply the sport connects to culture, politics, and identity. Juan Villoro’s God Is Round is another great pick, full of the kind of writing that captures why soccer feels bigger than the pitch.

Japan’s national team has one of the most recognizable identities in world football, and its blue uniform has become a symbol of pride on the global stage. The “Samurai Blue” nickname reflects both the team’s kit and the discipline, energy, and fighting spirit associated with Japanese football. Between The Lines is a strong book for readers who want to understand how Japanese soccer rose from local passion to global respect.

Scotland has a fan culture that has won hearts far beyond the stadium. When the Scots arrive in Boston, they bring a charm all their own, from beer-drinking bravado to generous charity work, and the tartan nation is the kind of community you can’t help but love. A great book pick for Scotland is Aidan Smith’s Bring Me the Sports Jacket of Arthur Montford: An Adventure Through Scottish Football, a lively read that captures the humor, history, and personality of the game north of the border.

With the NBA champion crowned, Knicks fans, Spurs fans, and everyone else whose team didn’t get in on the action now have the perfect excuse to move from watching to reading. The Breaks of the Game is still one of the best basketball books ever written, while The Jordan Rules offers the kind of behind-the-scenes drama that makes a championship run feel even bigger. If you want something with a little more swagger, books like Showtime, Dream Team, Blood in the Garden, and Boys Among Men all bring different eras of the game to life.

Tennis fans waiting for the US Open should look for books that capture the pressure, precision, and psychology of the sport. Open by Andre Agassi is a standout choice because it brings the intensity of tennis to life with the kind of honesty and drama that makes a great sports read. The best tennis books often feel like great matches: tense, elegant, and full of momentum shifts. Memoirs, rivalry stories, and sharp sports writing are especially good choices if you want to feel close to the game before the first serve is even hit.

The best sports books do more than fill time between games. They bring you closer to the people, places, and traditions that make each sport feel alive, whether that means World Cup drama, Japanese national pride, Scottish football culture, NBA nostalgia, or the intensity of the US Open.

What are some of your favorite sports books?

About the Author

Nikki Lopez is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the startup world, specializing in leveraging creative content and community building to empower content creators. Known for a strategic approach and a deep understanding of audience needs, Nikki has a proven track record of leading the development of engaging content strategies and guiding the growth of thriving communities. Her leadership focuses on fostering meaningful interactions and impactful journeys for both creators and their audiences.