The 7 Most Popular Sports in Spain and How Long They Have Been Played

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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