It purports to be the Hogwarts library's copy of the non-fiction book of the same name mentioned in several novels of the Harry Potter series.

Over 80% of the cover price of each book sold goes directly to poor children in various places around the world.

This includes the history of the Quidditch World Cup – written for Pottermore by J. K. Rowling in 2014 – narrated by Andrew Lincoln, and the Daily Prophet's coverage of the 2014 Quidditch World Cup – also written by J. K. Rowling – narrated by Imogen Church (in the character of Ginny Potter) and Annette Badland (as Rita Skeeter).

In 2019, the American Library Association named it one of the top ten Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults.

In the Harry Potter universe, Kennilworthy Whisp is a Quidditch expert and fanatic who has written many books about the sport.