Quidditch is big at Hogwarts. Each House fields a team, which includes the seven players and often one or two reserve players as well. The teams have a team captain who not only plays but also acts as coach. The captain leads practices, devises strategies, and sees to the induction of new players into the team. Quidditch tryouts are typicallyduring the second week of the school year, although the exact day and time are up to the captain to determine; students who wish to play for their Houses are asked to talk to Madam Hooch. The Quidditch season at Hogwarts starts in October, with the first games early in November. Madam Hooch is the resident Quidditch expert. The Bludgers, Quaffles, and Snitch are stored securely in her office between games and she acts as referee for the matches. Team practices are scheduled by individual captains (they "book the field" to reserve it for their own team to practice.) Most teams practice almost every day, after school or in the evenings.

The matches themselves are well attended by almost everyone in the school. Until he left school, the commentary was provided by Lee Jordan, a Gryffindor boy who occasionally found it difficult to remain objective when Gryffindor was playing. The raised stands can hold hundreds of fans, and it would seem that the matches are sometimes attended by Quidditch fans from the surrounding area as well. After Lee left, commentary was provided by Zacharias Smith and Luna Lovegood.

The team which accumulates the most points over the course of the school year is awarded the Quidditch Cup, a great honor. Special awards are given to the best players as well.