The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word GAMES
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
G
A
M
E
S
More clues leading to the result GAMES
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "sporting event" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case sporting event = games.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does GAMES mean?
GAMES noun- A playful or competitive activity.
- A video game.
- (nearly always singular) A field of gainful activity, as an industry or profession.
- Something that resembles a game with rules, despite not being designed.
- An exercise simulating warfare, whether computerized or involving human participants.
- Wild animals hunted for food.
- (used mostly of males) The ability to seduce someone, usually by strategy.
- Mastery; the ability to excel at something.
- A questionable or unethical practice in pursuit of a goal; a scheme.
- To gamble.
- To play card games, board games, or video games.
- To exploit loopholes in a system or bureaucracy in a way which defeats or nullifies the spirit of the rules in effect, usually to obtain a result which otherwise would be unobtainable.
- (of males) To perform premeditated seduction strategy.