Top 5 Popular Sports In Switzerland

Here are the most popular sports in Switzerland. Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words “sports” and “Switzerland”, is skiing at the Swiss Alps. And while the country is indeed home to some of the finest ski resorts in the world, sports activities in Switzerland go well beyond that. Sport is almost a culture, with both men and women of all ages regularly indulging in swimming, jogging, fitness, tennis, volleyball, martial arts, etc. If you are moving there, you may enroll in a sports club or a gym. You can also access various sports infrastructures and facilities such as football fields, stadiums, gymnasiums and swimming pools, among others.

5 Popular Sports In Switzerland

Skiing in Switzerland

Skiing in Switzerland may sound like the ultimate pastime, but you need to be aware it’s quite an expensive activity. The country’s ski resorts offering is quite diverse, from beginners’ slopes to steep descents for experienced skiers. There are no less than 162 ski resorts spread throughout Switzerland, but among the most iconic ones is Zermatt, with the famous Matterhorn area which offers some of the world’s best skiing.

Skiing in Switzerland

The enormous ski area of Les Portes du Soleil in the northern Alps crosses the borders to France offering twelve ski resorts for cosmopolitan skiers. Of course, St. Moritz, in Upper Engadine Valley, also warrants a mention as a go-to destination for jet-setters for over a century, with a ski area that can be accessed via a funicular from the town center. St. Moritz also introduced the concept of ‘après-ski’ to the world, with after-slope drinks at the area’s nightspots.

Football

No doubt that football (or soccer, as Americans would say) is the most popular sport in Europe, and Switzerland is no exception. The Swiss love to play and watch football. It is estimated that 10,000 matches take place every weekend.

There are two main leagues: the Swiss Super League and the Swiss Challenge One. Unfortunately, Switzerland has not yet noted major international success but regularly manages to reach the World Cup’s final rounds.

Football-Switzerland National team

Little may know that the two most important international football federations have found their home in the European country:  FIFA in Zürich and UEFA in Nyon. Furthermore, the FIFA World Football Museum is also based in Zürich, offering football fanatics a pulse-racing exhibition.

Ice Hockey

Do you want to know which match brings almost 7,000 Swiss fans together? A National League one, of course.

Swiss ice hockey matches are guaranteed to fill stadiums and lock spectators in front of the TV. It marks one of the highest attendance rates in Europe, counting 6,760 spectators, as 16,000 matches are played annually.

ice hockey switzerland

This sport is traditionally enjoyed during winter, but matches are played during spring and late summer as well. The most impressive ice hockey stadium is based in the heart of the mountains in Davos,  allowing fans and visitors to feel the old-school ice hockey vibe, as the match is played in an open area rather than in a closed and stuffy one.

Schwingen

Schwingen is a traditional Swiss sport that is similar to wrestling. It is one of the most popular sports in Switzerland and is also practiced in other parts of Europe, such as Austria and Germany.

Schwingen is a competitive sport that is fought between two opponents, who attempt to throw each other to the ground using a variety of different techniques. The sport is fought both indoors and outdoors, on a circular ring that is 4-5 meters in diameter.

Schwingen

The objective of the sport is to throw your opponent to the ground or to force them to submit by applying a hold. A match is won when one competitor is able to achieve either of these objectives.

Schwingen is a very popular sport in Switzerland, with a large number of clubs and tournaments being held throughout the year. The sport is also televised, and there is a national championship that is held every year.

Rugby

Legend has it that in 1823, during a game of school football in the town of Rugby, England, a young man named William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran towards the opposition’s goal line. Two centuries later, Rugby Union has evolved into one of the world’s most popular sports, with millions of people playing, watching and enjoying the game. At the heart of rugby is a distinctive ethos that creates a special environment and culture which it has retained over the years.

Not only is the game played to the laws – a distinction is made to other sports that “only” have rules – but within the spirit of the laws. Through discipline, control and mutual self-respect, a fellowship and sense of Fairplay are forged, defining rugby as the game it is. Rugby and its values build character, creates strong bonds with your club teammates and teaches its players to never give up.

Rugby

From the school playground to the Rugby World Cup final, Rugby Union offers a truly unique and thoroughly rewarding experience for all involved in the Game. The ethos of rugby and the commitment to its traditions of respect, integrity, sportsmanship, passion and discipline contributes to its extremely positive image in the media and amongst its fans. It is one of the fastest growing and highly regarded sports in the world.

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