Most popular sports in Spain

Spain is a global sporting powerhouse, and today a wide range of sports have attained widespread popularity across the land. Spaniards enjoy many different sports, and each region has its favourite game steeped in local culture, tradition and community. Catalonians favour skiing and other winter sports due to the proximity of the Pyrenees, while Valencians love scuba diving, windsurfing and water sports, Andalusia is home to the country’s equestrian epicentre, and the Basque provinces are major hubs of football and basketball.   The country is constantly at the forefront of international sporting events, with proven pedigree in football, basketball, motorsports, tennis, futsal and handball, among other disciplines. In this article, we will take look at some of the most popular sports in Spain, based on metrics such as the number of players, facilities and spectators.

1. Football: by far the most popular sport in Spain, football is ingrained in the national culture. The country has over 31,000 registered football clubs, with 5,000 in Andalusia alone as of early 2023. The country is home to one of the most popular leagues in the world, La Liga, in which globally renowned clubs like Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Atlético Madrid compete for the title. The Spanish men’s national team has also achieved significant success, winning the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship in 2010 and 2012, and the women’s team followed suit, winning the latest edition of the World Cup in August 2023. Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Andres Iniesta are among the greatest Spanish football players of all time, and many rising stars across the country look set to continue their legacy.
2. Basketball: The Spanish Basketball League (Liga ACB) is one of the top professional basketball leagues in Europe, and the national basketball team has achieved considerable success in international competitions, winning the FIBA World Cup, three EuroBasket Cups and multiple European Championships.  The Spanish government and the Ministry of Sports have collaborated to promote basketball throughout the country, resulting in the country developing what’s considered to be the best national team in Europe.
3. Tennis: Spain has produced many successful tennis players over the years, and the sport is widely followed and played throughout the country. The country first gained prominence on the world stage for the first time in 1992, and since then Spanish tennis players such as Carlos Moya, David Ferrer and the legendary Rafael Nadal have dominated the sport.
4. Cycling: Spain has a strong cycling tradition and has hosted prestigious cycling events like the Vuelta a España, one of the three Grand Tours of professional road cycling. Spaniards treat cycling as a professional sport as well as a hobby, making substantial efforts to promote, advertise and enjoy cycling events. Locals consider Pedro Delgado to be the greatest cyclist of all-time, having won several titles including the 1988 Tour de France.
5. Motorsports: Spain has a significant fan base for motorsports, especially in Formula 1 and MotoGP. Several Spanish drivers and riders have achieved success in these disciplines, including Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz Jr., adding to the sport’s popularity. The country hosts motorsport events and tournaments in different categories, including X-Trial, MotoGP and Formula One.
6. Padel: a racket sport similar to tennis and squash, Padel has been gaining popularity in Spain in recent years, with many courts popping up across the country. Padel is a racket sport typically played in doubles in an enclosed space, slightly smaller than a regulation tennis court. The court has walls, and players can hit the balls against them like in squash. This sport is suitable for people of all ages and walks of life as it requires less physical exertion and stamina than tennis.
7. Handball: Handball is a well-liked sport in Spain, with a competitive domestic league and an active fan base.
8. Athletics: Spain has produced numerous successful athletes in track and field events, and athletics competitions draw considerable interest.
9. Golf: Golf has seen growth in popularity, with Spain hosting various prestigious golf tournaments and being home to numerous top-level golf courses.
10. Bullfighting: Although many people in Spain and beyond are opposed to bullfighting, the sport is still an important part of Spanish tradition. Nearly every major city in Spain has a bullfighting ring and bullfighting academies. Even as the country recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic in 2022, 824 bullfighting events and tournaments took place in Spain.

The sports mentioned here are just the tip of the iceberg, and Spain is home to countless popular sports, venues and competitions. Set up a crowdfunding campaign on TalentBacker today to reach the country’s inimitably passionate sporting fanbase and make your athletic dreams come true!