Czechs lead an active lifestyle full of athletic activities, as well as sports patronage. Bowling, climbing, football (soccer), horse riding, ice hockey, ice skating, swimming, and tennis are all popular activities. Most bookstores offer a national hiking map, Soubor Turistickch map with English key. There are also many gyms throughout Prague to help the people maintain their physique.
The two leading sport interests are ice hockey and football. Favorite teams are a source of pride for individuals and neighbourhoods. National events are a point of Czech fervour, especially against traditional rivals: Germany and Netherlands in football; Russia, Sweden and Canada in ice hockey; and Slovakia in both. There are also professional leagues for tennis, basketball, volleyball, team handball, and track and field.
Hockey Rinks & Clubs
The Czech Republic is the rare country in which football is not the most popular sport. Ice Hockey is the national sport. The first won world title was won in 1947.
The season begins every September and fans are riveted as the many teams battle. The ELH (Extraliga ledniho hokeje) contains 14 clubs. The two Prague giants, Sparta and Slavia, are traditionally strong in this of course but have been overshadowed by the mighty Vsetin. A small industrial town close to the Slovak border, Vsetin was dawdling in the lower leagues until they were bought by Slovenian petroleum company Slovnaft in the early 1990s. Whilst all the top Czech players were following the carrots being dangled in the US, Vsetin snatched the best of the Russian and Slovak players. The formula money + sports club = success works a treat still and Vsetin have won the league five years out of the last six. Tickets to games are cheap (50 - 120Kc) and can be bought at the stadium.
HC Hvezda Praha
Address: Praha 6, Na rozdilu 1
Open: 15:00 - 17:00 on Fri & Sun only
HC Kobra
Address: Praha 4, Mikuleckeho 1584
HC Slavia Praha
Play at the O2 Arena. Seats 18,000 fans and is located in Praha 9. Member of the Europa League.
Address: Praha 9, Ocelarska 2
HC Sparta Praha
The team plays at the Tesla Arena. Part of the UEFA League.
Address: Praha 7, Za Elektrarnou 419
SC Letnany
Play at Zimni Stadium.
Address: Praha 9, Tupolevova 669
Swimming
zlute lazne
An area for play on both land and water. There is a sandy beach for swimming, as well as an area for volleyball, football, climbing, and more. Open 08:00-02:00.
Address: Praha 4, Podolske nabrezi
Hostivar Oaza
Two sandy beaches, a nude beach, table tennis, boat rental, and concession stand. Located on the outskirts of Prague. Open 09:00-20:00.
Address: Praha 10, K Jezeru
Podoli
Two huge outdoor swimming pools along the river. There are high diving boards and an indoor pool with slide. Open 06:00 - 21:45. Sat & Sun 06:00 - 22:00.
Address: Praha 4, Podolska 74
Hostivar - Oasa
A lakeside beach that offers volleyball, tennis, table-tennis, and boat rentals. The area is surrounded by forest.
Address: Praha 10, Na Botici
Olsanka
Pool, sauna, and massages are available here. An hour costs 60Kc. Open 06:00-21:00, Sat 08:00-20:00, Sun 08:00-20:00.
Address: Praha 3, Taboritska 23 (Hotel Olsanka)
Sokol kralovske Vinohrady
Admission 40Kc. Open for the public from 16:00 - 20:00 on Friday only.
Address: Praha 2, Riegrovy sady
Tennis Courts
Indoor and outdoor courts are available. Outdoor courts officially open May 1st, but may open sooner if the weather permits. Prices vary, but an average price is 350Kc an hour.
Bendvik - Michal Vecko
250 - 430Kc per hour.
Address: Praha 1, Diskarska 1
LTK Cibulka
Address: Praha 5, Ve strani 485/11
Tenisova hala LTC Podoli
Address: Praha 4, Dvorecke nam.2
Tenisova hala na antuce
200 - 330Kc per hour.
Address: Praha 10, K Sokolovne
Tenisovy klub Pisnice
Open 06:00-24:00
Address: Praha 4, Na okruhu
Gyms
World Class Health Academy
Address: Praha1, V Celnici 10 (Millennium Plaza)
Hours:
Open 06:00-22:00
Sat 08:00-21:00
Sun 08:00-21:00
Blue Orange
Address: Praha 9, Tupolevova 676
Hours: 06:00-23:00 daily
Body Island
Address: Praha 2, Uruguayska 6
Hours:
08:00-22:00
Fri 08:00-21:00
Sat 09:30-13:00
Sun 17:00-21:00
Cybex
Address: Praha 8, Pobrezni 1 (Hotel Hilton)
Hours:
06:00-22:00
Sat 07:00-22:00
Sun 07:00-22:00
Delroy's Gym
Address: Praha 5, Zborovska 4
Hours: 07:00-22:00
Sat 09:00-20:00
Sun 09:00-20:00
HIT Fitness Flora
Address: Praha 3, Chrudimska 2
Hours:
07:00-23:00
Sat 08:00-23:00
Sun 08:00-23:00
Sportcentrum YMCA
Address: Praha 1, Na Porici 12
Hours:
06:30-22:00
Sat 10:00-21:00
Sun 10:00-21:00
FitTop Wellness Centrum
Address: Praha 3, Seifertova 49
Hours:
07:00-22:00
Sat 09:00-20:00
Sun 09:00-20:00
Sporting Events
Stadiums
O2 Arena -Premier Hockey arena, as well as concert venue.
Tesla Arena - Multi-purpose arena, originally opened in 1962. It has been known as Paegas Arena, T-Mobile Arena, and was last re-named in 2008. The arena has a seating capacity of 6,995 people.
Strahov Stadium (Velky strahovsky stadion) - Once the second-largest stadium in the world, it is no longer used for sporting events. It is the training centre for Sparta Prague, and is also a concert venue.
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