The main sport in Alexandria is football (American soccer). There are four stadiums located in the city: Harras El-Hedoud Stadium, Alexandria Stadium, El-Krom Stadium, and Borg El Arab Stadium, which is the newest building and holds as many as 80,000 spectators. Exciting matches are regularly held in all of these stadiums. Alexandria was one of the three cities that participated in hosting the African Cup of Nations in early 2006.

Other sports, such as tennis and squash, are played primarily in private clubs, such as Alexandria Sporting Club, Smouha Club, and Lagoon Resort Courts. Along the shore visitors can also find water sports, including surfing, jet-skiing, and water polo. Scuba diving is another good bet here. Divers have several locations to choose from, including Pharos Island, where it is possible to glimpse the ruins of the famous Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Guides, tours, and rentals are available.