Yes—full online play in Nintendo Switch Sports requires an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. Without one, Nintendo allows a limited Play Globally trial against computer competitors. This requirement applies to online features; it does not mean you cannot play the game at all without a subscription.
What you can play online without a membership
Nintendo Support says that if you select Play Globally without a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you can take part in a trial competition against computer competitors. That is a limited trial, not access to full online play with other players. See Nintendo’s Nintendo Switch Sports FAQ for the game-specific details.
Does the membership requirement apply to every way of playing?
Nintendo describes the membership requirement as applying to online features. The FAQ confirms the membership-free Play Globally trial, but does not provide a complete list of local modes that can be played without a membership. Nintendo also documents a separate wired LAN play setup for up to four consoles and eight players, but its instructions do not say whether that setup requires a membership. Do not assume LAN play is exempt based on the setup guide alone: Nintendo’s LAN play instructions.
What you need for voice chat
For voice chat in Play with Friends through the Nintendo Switch Online smartphone app, Nintendo says a membership is required. The FAQ also says that accounts for users under 13 cannot use this app-based voice-chat feature. These conditions concern voice chat through the smartphone app, not whether the game can be played locally.
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If your membership is not being recognized
Nintendo notes that a newly started membership can take a short time to register in the game. If online access still appears unavailable after waiting briefly, close and reopen Nintendo Switch Sports, then check again.
Where Nintendo states the requirement
Nintendo’s game FAQ is the clearest source for this title’s rules. The official Nintendo Switch Sports site also says a Nintendo Account and Nintendo Switch Online membership are required for online features. Nintendo’s general Nintendo Switch Online FAQ explains that online cooperative and competitive features in many Switch games require membership and that game-specific requirements are listed on Nintendo eShop and product pages.
Quick Recap
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