Sport and Activities in Barcelona, Entertainment Spain

Barcelona is a great setting for a range of athletic activities, whether it be sports watching or doing. The 1992 Summer Olympics were hosted in Barcelona and fostered greater interest in sports.

Professional Teams

Football (Soccer)

Futbol is the undisputed champion of sports in Spain. The country's national football team won the UEFA European Football Championship in 1964 and 2008 and the FIFA World Cup in 2010. La Liga or Primera Division (The Spanish League) is considered to be one of the world's best competitions.

Barcelona is home to one of the best known teams worldwide - FC Barcelona. The club won the UEFA Champions League four times. Everything associated with the team is a tourist destination, with the club's museum is the second most visited in Catalonia.

Futsal is a variation on football and is popular in Spain. The Spain national futsal team, won the FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2000 and 2004, and won the UEFA Futsal Championship in 1996, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2010.

Basketball

The basketball team is Regal FC Barcelona. It has a rivalry with nearby Joventut Badalona.

Spanish players Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, Jose Calderon, Rudy Fernandez and Sergio Rodriguez are currently playing in the NBA.

Handball

The ASOBAL league has FC Barcelona Handbol.

Roller Hockey

Roller hockey is fairly popular and FC Barcelona is a professional roller hockey team. It's part of the FC Barcelona family and plays in the OK Liga.

Stadiums

Barcelona has two UEFA elite stadiums
FC Barcelona's Camp Nou - The largest stadium in Europe, it has a capacity of 100,000. .
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys - Built in 1922, it was used in the 1992 Olympics.
Estadi Cornella-El Prat - Located outside of the city, the stadium has a capacity of 40,000.

Public Sports

p>There are 68 municipal parks and many public athletic grounds. Montjuic is the largest park on the mountain of the same name.

Tennis

Tennis is very popular and one of the world's best players is Rafael Nadal. He has won several Grand Slam titles including the Wimbledon 2010 men's singles.

Cycling

Cycling has been an important sport in Spain since the 1940s. The Vuelta a Espana (Spanish for "Tour of Spain") is one of the most important cycling events in the world, together with the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia.

Several Spanish cycling athletes have won the Tour de France, including Federico Bahamontes, Luis Ocana, Pedro Delgado, Oscar Pereiro, Alberto Contador, and Carlos Sastre. The most successful Spanish cyclist is Miguel Indurain. He won the Tour de France in five consecutive periods between 1991 and 1995.

The city also hosts extensive bicycle paths. Many people engage in biking for pleasure and transportation. Skateboarding is also popular.

Golf

There are a number of courses throughout Spain. They include the San Roque, Sotogrande, Valderrama, and Alcaidesa.

Spanish golfer Seve Ballesteros won the U.S. Masters Tournament twice, and the British Open three times. Jose Maria Olazabal has won two Masters titles. Sergio Garcia is another notable player, spending much of his career in the top 10.

Swimming

Swimming is popular in sunny Spain. There are many excellent beaches, as well as pools.

Olympic swimming pool - on the hill of Montjuic in Barcelona, it offers a wonderful swimming environment and a spectacular view of the city
Parc de la Creueta del Coll Lake - in Gracia, lovely atmosphere.
Universal Studios Aquatic Water Park - in Tarragona, this is a complete facility.

Traditional Sports

Basque pelota (pelota vasca in Spanish, pilota basca in Catalan) is the name for a variety of court sports played with a ball using one's hand, a racket, a wooden bat or a basket, against a wall. The roots of the game can be traced to the Greek and other ancient cultures.

Gym

Fitness is important to most Spanish and there are many gyms and athletic facilities. Many of the larger hotels have swimming pools, tennis courts or handball, racquetball facilities or at least a fitness center. Some allow outside visitors for a fee.

Decide what aspects matter to you:

Do you want to have a gym with free-weights or machines, or both?
Do you want a gym that offers alternative classes such as aerobics, martial arts lessons, step classes, etc.?
Do you want a gym that has swimming, sauna, and jacuzzi facilities?
Do you want a single-sex or mixed gym environment?

Holmes Place (Balmes) - Modern, stylish Barcelona gym. Offers basic weights and a chill atmosphere.

Novaicaria - Gym complex is located near the beach. A basic gym with all of the equipment you need.
Address: Avda Icaria, 167, Barcelona
Phone Number: 34 932 212 580

DiR Eixample - One of a chain gyms offering excellent service.

Atletic-Barceloneta Swimming Club - Also known locally as Gimnasio Barceloneta, it is a member of the Catalan Swimming Federation. Great location on the beach with fantastic swimming facilities.

Aigua Joc - Great swimming pool area and sun deck.

Sporting Events

Barcelona Marathon - Every March there is a marathon on the streets of Barcelona. Other road running competitions include: Cursa de Bombers in April, the Cursa de El Corte Ingles in May, the Cursa de la Merce, the Cursa Jean Bouin, the Milla Sagrada Familia and the San Silvestre.

Open Seat Godo - A 50-year-old ATP World Tour 500 Series tennis tournament is held annually in the facilities of the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona.

Barcelona Harbour Swim - Held in September, the event is organized by "Club Natacio Atletic". The event takes place during the Merce Festival and there are various routes and groups from 400 meter to 3000 meter.

Circuit de Catalunya - Near Barcelona in Montmelo, this track hosts the Formula One World Championship, Formula One Spanish Grand Prix, Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix, Spanish GT Championship and GP2 Series.