Quidditch is played on a long oval field with three goal hoops on posts at each end. The team that scores the most points wins. There are seven players to a team: one Keeper, two Beaters, three Chasers, and a Seeker. They play with four balls.

The Quaffle is inert and the equivalent to the one ball used in many Muggle games, though it has a charm placed on it so that it slows as it falls and to make it easier to hold. Chasers handle it, trying to throw it through one of the hoops of the opposing team, which is worth ten points. The Keeper guards his or her goal hoops. Two heavy iron balls called Bludgers fly around the field on their own trying to hit players, and the Beaters use bats to defend their team or to hit the Bludgers at the opposing team. Finally, the tiny and winged Golden Snitch darts around at very high speeds and the Seeker attempts to catch it. Doing so scores 150 points and ends the game, generally winning it in the process. A player could still catch the Snitch and lose a game for their team should the opposing team lead by more than 150 points.