Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports

• Type: Ministry of Magic Department Headship
• Location: Department of Magical Games and Sports, Level Seven, Ministry of Magic, London, England
• Owner/Residents: Ludo Bagman (c. 1994-1995), Hamish MacFarlan (1957-1968) (Pottermore)
• Key Features: Leadership and administration of the wizarding world's sporting regulations and events, including the Quidditch World Cup and the Triwizard Tournament.

The Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports is a high-ranking and often high-profile position within the Ministry of Magic. The Head oversees all functions of their department, which is located on Level Seven of the Ministry headquarters. This department is responsible for managing all officially recognized magical sports and games within Great Britain. The department was established in 1750 (Pottermore). One known past Head was Hamish MacFarlan, the former captain of the Montrose Magpies Quidditch team, who served from 1957 to 1968. During his tenure, he famously banned the dangerous Scottish game of Creaothceann (Pottermore). During the 1994-1995 school year, the post was held by the famous former Beater for the Wimbourne Wasps and England National Team, Ludo Bagman. Bagman was a popular but controversial figure. During the First Wizarding War, he was accused of passing information to Death Eaters via Augustus Rookwood, but he was acquitted of all charges, largely due to his sporting fame and his claim that he did not know Rookwood was working for Lord Voldemort. As Head of the Department, Bagman's staff included individuals such as Bertha Jorkins, whom he managed before her memory was permanently damaged by Voldemort.

The position of Head of the Department of Magical Games and Sports features prominently in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire through its incumbent, Ludo Bagman. Bagman was a key organizer of both the Quidditch World Cup and the revived Triwizard Tournament. During the World Cup, he commentated on the final match and later had a significant confrontation with Fred Weasley and George Weasley after paying out their winnings in Leprechaun Gold, which vanished. His role became even more crucial during the Triwizard Tournament, where he served as one of the five judges. Unknown to the other judges, Bagman had a severe gambling problem and had accepted large sums from various creditors, including goblins, betting heavily on Harry Potter to win the tournament. To secure his victory, Bagman consistently awarded Harry high, and sometimes undeserved, scores. He also flagrantly violated the rules of impartiality by offering Harry advice and assistance before the Second Task. Ultimately, Bagman's plan failed. After the tournament's tragic conclusion, the goblins he had cheated cornered him. Rather than pay his debts, Ludo Bagman fled, abandoning his post and leaving the Department of Magical Games and Sports without its Head.

• The character of Ludo Bagman and his entire subplot as Head of the Department were almost completely removed from the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. In the film, his role as an organizer and judge is absorbed by Barty Crouch, Sr. and Cornelius Fudge, and his gambling addiction and subsequent flight are omitted entirely.
• Information regarding past Heads of the Department, such as Hamish MacFarlan, and the department's establishment date, originates from the Pottermore website.