The aim of this study is to investigate the sports status and emotional intelligence levels of secondary school students. 1027 secondary school students participated in the research. As a data collection tool in the research; personal information form, parent consent form and voluntary consent form were used. In measuring the emotional intelligence levels of students, a 60-item measurement tool developed by Bar-on, applicable to children and adolescents was used, and the scale was adapted to Turkish by Köksal (2007). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA and t-test techniques were used in the analysis of the data. As a result of the analyses, there was a statistically significant difference in interpersonal, adaptability and positive effect (p<0.05) of the emotional intelligence sub-dimensions and the gender variable. When the emotional intelligence levels of the students were analyzed according to the variable of sports status, a significant difference was observed in the adaptability dimension and in the total score of emotional intelligence in favor of those who exercise sports (p<0.05). When the emotional intelligence levels of the students were examined according to the class level variable, there were significant differences in the total score of emotional intelligence, stress management and adaptability (p<0.05). Moreover, in the examination of the emotional intelligence levels of the students according to their mother's education levels, a significant difference was found only in the adaptability dimension (p<0.05). For their father's education levels, there was a significant difference in the interpersonal and the adaptability dimensions (p<0.05).