The 10 biggest sports in Spain and how to get involved

Updated: October 2026

Sport is one of the easiest ways to understand Spanish life and to make friends after a move. This guide runs through the ten sports that matter most in Spain, based on official participation figures and what you see on TV and in the streets, with tips on how to watch or join in.

Spain’s sports in numbers

The Spanish government’s federated sport statistics for 2025 counted about 4.38 million sports licences. These are people registered with a federation to compete or play at a club, so they do not include the millions who run, cycle or play padel casually.

Federation	Licences (2025)
Football	1,277,345
Basketball	453,092
Hunting	326,985
Golf	317,155
Mountain sports and climbing	287,536
Volleyball	123,772
Padel	117,508
Handball	106,906
Tennis	91,557
Athletics	89,261

The ten sports that matter most

1. Football

Football is by far the biggest sport, with almost three times as many licences as any other. La Liga is followed all over the world, El Clásico between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona stops the country, and the men’s national team won the European Championship in 2024. Every town has its local club, and children’s teams are a big part of family life.

2. Basketball

Basketball is the clear number two. The Liga ACB is one of Europe’s strongest leagues, and Real Madrid and Barcelona both run top basketball teams. The national team won the World Cup in 2019 and EuroBasket in 2022. Tickets for ACB games are usually much cheaper and easier to get than football tickets.

3. Padel

Padel is the sport newcomers notice first. It is played in doubles on a small glass-walled court and is easy to learn. According to Spain’s official tourism site, Spain has more padel courts than any other country, well over 15,000. Federated licences only tell a small part of the story, as most people play socially at sports centres and clubs. Many clubs run “open” matches and apps where you can join a game at your level.

4. Tennis

Rafael Nadal, who retired in 2024, made tennis hugely popular, and Carlos Alcaraz has carried that on with several Grand Slam titles. The Madrid Open and the Barcelona Open are the two big tournaments on Spanish soil, both in spring on clay.

5. Golf

Golf is the fourth-largest federation in Spain. Players such as Seve Ballesteros, Sergio García and Jon Rahm made it popular, and the Costa del Sol alone has around 70 courses. Read more in our guide to golf on the Costa del Sol.

6. Cycling

La Vuelta a España is one of cycling’s three Grand Tours, usually held from late August into September. On weekends you will see groups of road cyclists on every mountain road, and Spain’s climate makes it a winter training base for professional teams.

7. Motorsport

Spain loves both cars and bikes. Fernando Alonso won two Formula 1 world titles and Carlos Sainz has followed in his footsteps. The 2026 calendar included two races in Spain: the long-running event at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and a new Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid. In MotoGP, riders such as Marc Márquez have won many world titles, and Spain hosts several rounds each year, including the popular race at Jerez.

8. Handball

Handball has more than 100,000 licences and a strong club scene, with FC Barcelona’s handball team among the best in Europe. The men’s national team has won world and European titles. It is fast, loud and great to watch live.

9. Mountain sports and hiking

Hiking, climbing and trail running are huge, with more than 287,000 federation licences. Joining a local mountain club (club de montaña) gets you group hikes, insurance and an instant social circle.

10. Volleyball and beach sports

Volleyball has more licences than padel or handball, helped by school and women’s teams. In summer, beach volleyball nets go up along the coast, and informal games are an easy way to meet people.

How to get involved as a newcomer

1. Check your town hall’s sports centre. Municipal sports centres (polideportivos) offer cheap classes and court hire, usually with lower prices for registered residents.
2. Use booking apps. Many padel and tennis clubs take bookings through apps, which also help you find players at your level.
3. Join a club. For competitions you will usually need a federation licence, which includes sports insurance. Your club will arrange it.
4. Watch live. Lower-league football, basketball and handball games are cheap, friendly and a great way to practise Spanish.

For more ideas, see our guide on how to build a social life in Spain.

Useful links

• Spanish federated sport statistics 2025 (PDF)
• Spain.info: padel in Spain
• Madring: Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid
• FC Barcelona: history, Spotify Camp Nou and how to see a match
• Real Madrid: history, the Bernabéu and how to visit
• Golf on the Costa del Sol

FAQ: sport in Spain

What is the most popular sport in Spain?

Football, by a wide margin. It had almost 1.3 million federation licences in 2025, nearly three times more than basketball in second place.

Is padel really that big in Spain?

Yes. Spain has more padel courts than any other country, and most people play socially rather than with a federation licence, so the real number of players is far higher than official figures show.

Do I need a licence to play sport in Spain?

Not for casual play. You normally need a federation licence only for official competitions, and your club will help you get it.

Where can I play sport cheaply?

Municipal sports centres run by your town hall are usually the cheapest option, especially once you are registered as a resident (empadronado).

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Figures, fixtures and prices can change – always check with the official federation, club or event organiser.