Spain is a beautiful country with so much to see and explore. The country offers so much to do and so much to learn. Ultimately, it also has sports that it has had for centuries.
To explore the seven most popular sports in Spain, it is important to know where they came from and understand why they are so liked. There is also the matter of how long they have been around and when they came to Spain. With all that said, let’s take a look at the most popular sports in Spain.
7. Rugby
There have been reports of rugby in Spain that date all the way back to 1901, but the union did not play a game internationally until 1929.
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There are over 51,000 registered rugby players in Spain.
Rugby is a sport that many associate with Australia. Yes, it’s true. But people in Spain also love rugby. In fact, they love it so much that over 51,000 people are on organized teams. But it was not always that way. In fact, until 2010, there was not much interest.
Several studies revealed that only 7 percent of the country even watched the sport. Yet, it became part of the curriculum in 2011. More people play and watch it than ever before, making rugby one of the most popular sports in Spain.
6. Athletics
Activities like sprinting provide the good parts of athletics and are a big reason why it’s so popular in Spain.
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Spain started implementing regular athletics around 1925.
Athletics is very broad. But it is a mixture of running, sprinting, and other athletic activities that do not have a name. Spain has done well in this department. Overall, they have won 16 medals in the Summer Olympics throughout the years. It has been around for a while. Also, people love watching it. Athletics are among the most popular sports in Spain.
5. Formula One Racing
People in Spain love watching Formula One racing, and it has been around since 1951.
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Viewership in Spain shot up by over 200 percent last year, and the sport continues to thrive.
People often associate Formula One racing with the United States. This is not incorrect. However, viewership in Spain is skyrocketing. In fact, it went up over 200 percent last year. The Spanish Grand Prix scored its highest attendance in 15 years, according to Destinations.
Fernando Alonso is probably the top Formula One racer from Spain. He and several others helped make Formula One one of the most popular sports in Spain.
4. Cycling
The history of cycling in Spain dates back to the 1940s when it emerged as a sport.
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About 20 million people are regular cyclists yearly in Spain, showcasing the importance of the sport and how often people use their bikes.
The Tour de France gets all the rage. Yet, cycling is huge in Spain, too. The Spanish National Road Race Championships happen every year. Ultimately, it is the pinnacle of a sport that has galvanized the nation since the 1940s.
Cycling is a regular mode of transport in Spain. Significantly, 20 percent of the population stated that bikes were their main way of getting around. It makes cycling one of the most popular sports in Spain.
3. Tennis
A Spaniard was behind the invention of tennis, and it makes sense for it to be on this list. The sport came to tennis in the 1800s.
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Tennis is the second most watched sport in Spain and one of the most popular sports to play.
Tennis World revealed that tennis has the second-highest viewership in Spain. We listed it as third on our list due to two sports that are slightly more popular due to recreational reasons. But the climate in Spain gives many people the chance to play tennis.
People love to play tennis. In fact, Statista revealed that more than 90,000 people played tennis recreationally. It is one of the most beloved and popular sports in Spain.
2. Basketball
Basketball has been a hit in Spain since 1923 and sees many people play it and also sees people go to the NBA.
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The EuroBasket 2022 Finals saw over 8 million people in Spain watch the televised event.
The only reason tennis is not second on this list is because basketball has extended across the world from Spain. Pau Gasol won two NBA titles as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. Additionally, his brother, Marc, had a successful NBA career from 2008 to 2020. Marc currently plays for the Basquet Girona of the Liga ACB. Ultimately, he founded the club.
There are over 385,000 people who reported playing basketball in Spain. International appeal like the NBA has helped make it a hit in Spain.
1. Football/Soccer
Football has been in Spain since the 19th Century, and they helped introduce it to other countries.
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There were more than 11 million people who attended football matches during the 2022-2023 La Liga season in Spain.
Football is the favorite sport of Spain. There is no other that quite matches the love for any sport that football generates. Amazingly, there are over 1 million people who play football recreationally in Spain.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid are all iconic football clubs that sell out stadiums and get love on social media. People in Spain love them. Because of that, it has extended internationally, creating new fans across the world. The 2010 FIFA World Cup victory only helped add to the lore and ensure that football was the most beloved sport in Spain.
Summary of The 7 Most Popular Sports in Spain and How Long They Have Been Played
| Rank | Sport |
|---|---|
| 1. | Soccer |
| 2. | Basketball |
| 3. | Tennis |
| 4. | Cycling |
| 5. | Formula One Racing |
| 6. | Athletics |
| 7. | Rugby |
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