From football to tennis, cycling to basketball, there are sports for every athlete or fan to enjoy. As in many countries, playing and watching sports are extremely popular activities in Spain. Of course, football tops the list, but others, such as handball and golf, are widely played. The country also hosts several prestigious international sporting events annually. So, whether you're an active or armchair sporting enthusiast, you'll have a wide choice of sports to watch and play.
Football in Spain
Football is more than just a game in Spain; it is a way of life for many fans. The Spanish are very enthusiastic and passionate about football, whether attending matches or watching them at home or with friends in a bar.
La Liga is the men's top league and is reputed to be one of the best in the world. It consists of 20 teams, with the three lowest-placed sides at the end of the season relegated to the Segunda (Second) Division. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are the country's two most popular football teams in Spain.
Spanish football teams also participate in the Copa del Rey, the UEFA Europa League and the Champions League.
Basketball in Spain
Basketball is almost as popular as football in Spain. The top Spanish League is Liga ACB, and teams compete domestically and in a European league and a European cup. Many matches are broadcast on TV. Liga ACB is contested by 18 teams. However, during the 2020-2021 season, 19 teams participated due to the pandemic. At the end of the season, two sides are relegated to the LEB Oro.
Cycling in Spain
Spain is a country of cyclists who enjoy thousands of cycling routes along coasts, through the mountains and across and around cities. Every year the country hosts Vuelta a España, one of the leading cycling races in the international calendar.
Tennis in Spain
No matter where you're located, you should have easy access to tennis courts. Tennis is a popular sport in Spain, and millions follow and have followed the fortunes of past and current Spanish players such as Rafael Nadal, "Arantxa" Sánchez Vicario, Carlos Moyá, Garbine Muguruza and David Ferrer.
Padel tennis in Spain
Padel tennis is also a prominent racquet sport. It was adapted from tennis and takes place on a smaller court with walls, which are played off, just like squash. According to the Spanish Padel Federation, padel tennis is the second-most-popular sport in the country.
Golf in Spain
Many parts of the country boast a perfect climate for golf. There are lush green courses all over Spain, some with glorious sea and mountain views. If this is your sport, it's a good idea to apply for membership in one of the clubs near you.
Sports for thrill-seekers in Spain
Spain's coastal areas, national parks and wilderness landscapes support many activities for those who want to get the adrenaline pumping. They include mountaineering, skiing, rafting, karting, paragliding and water sports such as surfing, jet skiing and windsurfing. There is also an array of excellent scuba diving sites in the Atlantic Ocean in the north and the Mediterranean in the south.
Motor racing in Spain
Motorcar and motorbike racing are also popular in Spain. Every year the country hosts the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. Other major events include the Euroformula Open Championship (formerly known as the Spanish Formula Three Championship).
Handball in Spain
Handball is another sport widely enjoyed throughout Spain. The men's professional league is divided into two divisions - Liga ASOBAL and División de Plata de Balonmano. División de Honor Femenina de Balonmano is the premier women's professional handball league, contested by 12 teams in the 2022-2023 season.
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