The sociology of sport helps us to understand what sport is and why it matters. Sociological knowledge, implicit or explicit, underpins scholarly enquiry into sport in every aspect. The Routledge Handbook of the Sociology of Sport is a landmark publication that brings together the most important themes, theories and issues within the sociology of sport, tracing the contours of the discipline and surveying the state-of-the-art. Written by a team of leading international sport scholars, including many of the most well-known, respected and innovative thinkers working in the discipline, this is an essential reference for any student, researcher or professional with an interest in sport.

Introduction Part 1: Major Theories and Approaches 1. Introduction to Part One 2. Researching Sport 3. The Functionalist Perspective on Sport 4. Interpretive Approaches in the Sociology of Sport 5. Marxist and Neo-Marxist Approaches on Sport 6. Norbert Elias and the Sociology of Sport 7. Pierre Bourdieu on Sport 8. Niklas Luhmann, System Theory and Sport 9. Physical Cultural Studies on Sport 10. Poststructuralism and the Sociology of Sport 11. Post/colonial Theory and Sport Part 2: Sociology, Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Studies of Sport 12. Introduction to Part Two 13. Anthropological Perspectives and the Sociology of Sport 14. Economic and Sociological Approaches to Sport 15. Geographical Approaches and the Sociology of Sport 16. History, Sociology and Critical Sport Studies 17. Leisure Studies and the Sociology of Sport 18. Philosophy, Sociology and the Critical Analysis of Sport 19. Political Science, Sociology and the Study of Sport 20. Psychology and Sociology in Sport Studies Part 3: Social Divisions and Sport 21. Introduction to Part Three 22. Social Class and Sport 23. Gender and Sport 24. Race and Sport 25. Sexualities and Sport 26. Disability and Sport: The Case of the Paralympic Games Part 4: Central Issues in the Sociology of Sport 27. Introduction to Part Four 28. Sport and the Body 29. Sport, Physical Activity and Health 30. Risk and Uncertainty in Sport 31. Doping in Elite Sport 32. Sport Fans and Fandoms 33. Sport and Violence 34. Sport and Social Intervention 35. Sport and the Urban 36. Sport Mega-Events 37. Sport and Environmentalism 38. Sport and Media 39. Sport and New Media 40. Sport and the Nation in the Global Age 41. The Migration of Elite Athletes 42. Sport and the Corporate World 43. Sport, International Development and Peace 44. Globalization and Sport