The school sponsors 32 varsity sports (16 men's, 16 women's), most of which compete in the Division III New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC). The school's men's and women's ski teams and men's and women's squash teams compete in Division I.

Men's Sports: Alpine Skiing, Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Nordic Skiing, Rowing, Soccer, Squash

Women's Sports: Alpine Skiing, Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Lacrosse, Nordic Skiing, Rowing, Soccer, Softball, Squash

Bates Club Sports are competitive student organizations, recognized by Bates Athletics and formed by students motivated by a common interest. These programs are run by the students themselves with support from Bates Athletics staff and student employees that make up the Club Sport Organization (CSO). Bates Athletics currently supports 13 club sports that are a great opportunity to continue participating in sports that you love or to learn a new sport entirely. Clubs actively compete locally, regionally, or nationally against colleges and universities.

Current Clubs: Men's Basketball, Competitive Ski, Cycling, Equestrian, Women's Lacrosse, Men's Ultimate Frisbee, Women's Ultimate Frisbee, Men's Ice Hockey, Women's Ice Hockey, Men's Rugby, Sailing, Men's Water Polo, Women's Water Polo