playing in vs playing on

Both "playing in" and "playing on" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Playing in" would be used when referring to being inside a particular area where a game or sport is taking place. "Playing on" would be used when referring to a surface or field where a game or sport is being played.

Explained by Camille
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 27, 2025 • 5779 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"playing in"

Use 'playing in' when referring to participating in a game or sport inside a specific area, such as playing in a stadium, gym, or arena.

Examples:

The team is playing in the stadium tonight.
She enjoys playing in the gym with her friends.
They are playing in the arena for the championship.
He is playing in the tennis court this afternoon.
The kids are playing in the backyard.

Show examples from the web [+]

It's a bit like being on trial, playing in Iceland.
Annie heard him playing in a bar.
He said that he was playing in a factory.
All the kids were playing in the water.
You know, there are kids playing in that park.
It's dogs and people playing in a park.
They're children playing in a field.
No, I meant playing in a band.
This agreement does not apply to players playing in any other football competition, outside England.
Chuck was playing in segregated cities.
Price of playing in the wrong backyard.
Not unless the Bears were playing in Baltimore.
Well, she is playing in New Orleans.
We're going to be playing in Sector 1215.
His soccer team is playing in the national playoff tomorrow at his stadium.
We found her playing in the yard.
You will be playing in the Sacko Bowl next week.
"No Diggity" starts playing in the background.
Rio Bravo is playing in town.
Everybody had gigs and they were playing in different clubs.

Alternatives:

participating in
competing in
engaging in

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"playing on"

Use 'playing on' when referring to participating in a game or sport on a surface or field, such as playing on a soccer field, basketball court, or tennis court.

Examples:

The children are playing on the playground.
He loves playing on the soccer field.
She is playing on the basketball court with her team.
They are playing on the tennis court this weekend.
The athletes are playing on the field for the championship.

Show examples from the web [+]

That's why I like playing on this one.
It's playing on basic fears.
Presumptuous child playing on my ship.
Malcolm X was playing on cable.
Johann Sebastian ended up playing on just about anything.
We are playing on their only real weakness.
Her playing on the dock, you watching.
This weird video started playing on the campus channel.
You're playing on my turf.
Hopefully, by playing on his anger...
No fun playing on your own.
That thing is playing on very basic fears.
Guess what is now playing on McGee TV.
In Malayer they showed him playing on TV.
That could have been the song playing on the box.
Children in Soweto playing on a trampoline.
My favourite moment was playing on garbage cans.
We were playing on the ice and the younger one fell.
CNBC was playing on the TV.
That's playing on his battlefield.

Alternatives:

competing on
engaging on
participating on

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playing in vs playing on

"playing in"

"playing on"

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