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Netball

Netball is played seven a side on a court split into thirds, each player limited to set areas by position. A player holding the ball may not run with it and must pass or shoot within three seconds. Only the Goal Shooter and Goal Attack may score, by shooting the ball through the ring from inside the goal circle.

Checked 20 October 2026

New to netball? Start here

How long

Four quarters of 15 minutes, with a 12-minute half-time

Lengths are from the rule book.

The big events, and why they matter

  1. 1Netball World CupThe sport's world title.Every 4 years · Holder: Australia, 61–45 over England at Cape Town 2023
  2. 2Commonwealth Games (netball)A multi-sport title against the Commonwealth nations.Every 4 years · Holder: New Zealand, 56–48 over Jamaica at Glasgow 2026
  3. 3Asian Netball ChampionshipAsia's title and a World Cup qualifier.Every 4 years (to check)
All 5 netball tournaments →

India

India entered Commonwealth Games netball once (Delhi 2010, finishing 12th) and is not among the Netball World Cup's participating nations [the two pages].

  • Netball World Cup: Not among the participating nations listed
  • Netball at the Commonwealth Games: Entered once, Delhi 2010, finishing 12th; not at Glasgow 2026

Countries to know

India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.

  • AustraliaNetball World Cup: 12 golds, 4 silvers (latest 2023); Netball at the Commonwealth Games: 4 golds, 3 silvers, 1 bronze (latest 2026)
  • New ZealandNetball World Cup: 5 golds, 8 silvers, 2 bronzes (latest 2019); Netball at the Commonwealth Games: 3 golds, 3 silvers, 1 bronze (latest 2026)
  • Sri LankaAsian Netball Championship: 11 titles, 2 bronzes (latest 2024)
  • SingaporeAsian Netball Championship: 10 titles, 3 bronzes (latest 2024)
Every country in netball →

Who runs it

Rules made byWorld Netball, Rules of Netball, 2024 edition
International federationWorld Netball
In IndiaNetball Federation of India: recognised, on the MYAS list for 2026

Where and when it is played

On a court split into thirds, with a goal circle at each end. The big events: the Netball World Cup every four years and the Commonwealth Games every four years, women's only.

Everything on Netball