Objectives To determine the efficacy of using the Beighton joint hypermobility score as a predictor of Brighton criteria components, considering the influence of gender and sports participation. Design Cross sectional study design. Setting: A University. Participants Sixty-five female rugby players, 38 male rugby players, 61 netball players, 42 female dancers, 40 male controls and 40 female controls. Main outcome measures The Beighton score was assessed using the Beighton and Horan Joint Mobility Index. The Brighton criteria was used to assess joint hypermobility syndrome. A binary logistic regression was performed for a pooled sample (n = 286), and subsequently for gender and sport to assess the Beighton score as a predictor of Brighton criteria. Results Beighton scores were found to be a predictor of arthralgia (P = 0.002), dislocation and subluxation (P = 0.048) in the pooled analysis; a predictor of dislocation and subluxation (P = 0.047) in males and arthralgia (P = 0.001) in females. Beighton scores were a predictor of arthralgia in female rugby (P = 0.003) and in female controls (P = 0.012). Conclusions The potential of the Beighton score to predict joint arthralgia and dislocation/subluxation may allow clinicians to implement effective injury prevention strategies.