This paper uses the methods of both literature research and historical research to interpret the concepts of peoples livelihood sports and sports livelihood of the people. It also analyzes the historical development of sports livelihood of the people in China since the founding of the New China from the two aspects, i.e. awareness and behavior. The research findings show that, regarding the awareness, the development of livelihood sports in the new China has undergone five stages, each of which is closely related to politics, economy and culture at that time. Regarding the behavior, sports has been progressing towards the second stage of its development, i.e. the stage of peoples livelihood sports.