When it comes to sports in Spain, one thing is clear: football is the king. But just how dominant is it, and what other sports are making waves in the country? To get a better understanding, let’s dive into the numbers.
According to the second edition of the Sports Habits Barometer in Spain, conducted by SPSG Consulting, football remains the most-watched sport among both men and women. However, when it comes to participation, running takes the top spot, followed closely by football and swimming. This is a notable shift, as football was previously the most practiced sport.
But here’s the worrying part: the latest data from the CIS (Center for Sociological Research) indicates that 52% of the population admits to never practicing sports, compared to 47.9% who do. This represents a significant decrease of almost 10% compared to the data from two years prior. Of those who do practice sports, 40.6% do so daily or almost daily, while 14.2% practice two to three times a week, and 5.3% save their sports activities for the weekend.
A Shift in Sports Participation
So, what sports are Spaniards practicing the most? According to the SPSG barometer, running, football, swimming, cycling, and paddle tennis are the top activities. Running is the most popular among both men and women, while football, cycling, and paddle tennis are more popular among men. Swimming, fitness, and hiking are preferred by women. Notably, football practiced by women has jumped from tenth to fifth place in the rankings.
Age also plays a significant role in sports participation. The youngest age groups are more inclined towards paddle tennis, cycling, and basketball, while older adults prefer swimming, cycling, or hiking. Interestingly, the age group that practices running the most is 40-49 years old, followed by 18-29 years old.
The Most Followed Sports
When it comes to the most followed sports, 82% of those surveyed claim to be football fans. Tennis comes in second at 45%, followed by basketball at 36%. Formula 1 and cycling round out the top five, with 15% and 10% of the vote, respectively. It’s worth noting that tennis is more popular among women, while cycling is more popular among men. E-sports, which were once gaining traction, have fallen out of the top 10 in all age groups. Additionally, sports like running, swimming, and cycling, which are highly practiced, are not as widely followed.
