Background: To investigate the effect of physical activity and sports on the academic performance of higher education students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during the academic years 2017/2018 and 2018/2019. Methods: A 15-item internet-based survey was distributed among students - both members and non-members of Jeddah Runners Club (JRC) - studying in public and private universities in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The survey collected participants’ information such as demographic details, important habits, sport and physical activities, and GPA scores. Responses reached a total of (N=425) male %87.3 (N= 371) and female %12.7 (N=54) and the data was analyzed using IBM SPSS. Results: Results show that there is a significant negative linear relationship between the time students spend doing no physical activity and their GPA scores (β = -0.28, P<0.05). However, there is a statistically significant positive linear relationship between GPA scores and the time spent in sports or physical activity (β = 0.12, P<0.05). Similarly, the time students spend in sports or physical activity in their colleges also positively affects their academic performance (β = 0.10, P<0.05). Ultimately, the more time spent in doing sports or physical activity in or outside their colleges, the better they achieve in their academic performance. Conclusion: The more time spent in physical activity or sports in or outside colleges, the better academic performance will be. Public physical activities and sports are highly welcomed by the Saudi community. Saudi women have shown an increasing interest in doing public physical activities and sports.