Give this a try
Sport is a big deal in Spain. Sporting events in Spain, whether team or individual, ball or vehicle rarely lack passionate fervour. Sporting venues across the country regularly play host to some of the biggest names and most iconic figures in the field of athletic achievement.
We can’t really mention Spanish sporting events without mentioning the bid daddy of footballing grudge matches. El Clasico, the big ‘derby’ between Spain’s grandest football clubs: Real Madrid and Barcelona. With two encounters each season, one at Barcelona the other in Madrid (although it’s not uncommon that they meet for a 3rd or 4th occasion in domestic and European cup competition) the matches represent the very best that club football has to offer anywhere in the world and is an experience to behold for any discerning fan.
It’s a fixture that has played host to most of the world’s greatest players at some point over the past half century and is one of the BIG events on the Spanish sporting calendar every year.
The great fuel-injected circus that is the Formula 1 motor racing season rolls into Spain each spring and this is an opportunity to savour the unique atmosphere of this high-rolling, high octane sporting event with a touch of Catalonian flavour.
Held at the Montmelo track near Barcelona is another glittering jewel of the calendar of sporting events in Spain. The locals come in their tens of thousands to sample the speed and the opulence and cheer on local favourite Fernando Alonso.
Ever since Seve Ballesteros lit up the usually staid fairways of European gold with his exuberant matador style and genius has Spain had a genuine love affair with the sport. Famous names have followed in Seve’s path from Olazabal to Jimenez and Segio Garcia.
Each summer the country welcomes the best of the European Tour for the Spanish Open, an event which routinely attracts a strong field with past winners including: Seve, Garcia, Jimenez, Montgomerie and Faldo.
One of the feature ATP events during the clay court season the Madrid Masters attracts the very best of the best. A precursor to the French Open it’s a big event on the calendar for any tennis fan hoping to see the likes of Murray, Djokovic, Federer and local hero Nadal in action.
It might not hold the same level of prestige as the Tour De France but for the millions of cycle lovers worldwide this represents an opportunity to see some of the most incredible feats of endurance from the best cyclists in the world over an arduous 3 week trek around Spain. Held throughout September this is a great way to see some amazing sporting achievement while enjoying some of the best of late summer Spain.
Like its counterpart in London this is one of Spain’s biggest participation events as the streets grow packed with people taking part in the annual 26 and a bit mile run through the roads and districts of Spain’s capital city.
Known as the rock’n’roll marathon due to the arduous hilly aspect of the course this is a real challenge for those wishing to put their fitness to the test. Alternatively it’s a brilliant spectacle to enjoy if you coincide your city break with the event.
Held in April each year and attracts around 12000 competitors from the world class to the charity runners.
