Many sports are practiced in Navarra. Many of these sports are known worldwide, but there are also some lesser-known sports which are not known outside of Spain. With its varied landscapes and vibrant sporting culture, Navarre is a paradise for sports enthusiasts and adventurers.
1. Football
Football is the most popular sport in Navarra. The main football club of Navarre is Club Atlético Osasuna in Pamplona, the capital. Osasuna plays in La Liga and is known for the passion and support of its supporters. The hooligans of Osasuna, the Indargorris (“Red Power” in Basque), sing at every match and always support Osasuna, regardless of the result.
Football and indoor football are widely practiced in Navarra. Many schools have indoor football fields where children enjoy playing football together during breaks.
2. Frontenis
Frontenis is a sport often practiced in villages in Navarra. This sport originally comes from Mexico, but it is also widely played in Northern Spain.
It is a mix of tennis and squash, where a rubber ball is hit against the wall with special rackets (similar to those of tennis, but lighter). This ball is smaller than a tennis ball and ensures a fast game. This sport can be played one against one or two against two. The players try to hit the ball over the line on the front wall, like in squash.
This sport is done in one frontón practiced. A frontón is sometimes covered, but it can also be uncovered. The differences with squash are that the court is much larger (officially 30 meters long) and that there is no right wall.
If you visit small Navarrese villages, you will find a frontón where locals often gather to spend their afternoons, especially in summer.
3. Pelota Vasca (or Pelota Mano)
Pelota Vasca (“Basque Ball”), also called Pelota Mano (literally “Ball Hand”), originally comes from the Basque Country, but is often also practiced in Navarra. It is very similar to frontenis. This sport is also included in a frontón played.
However, in this sport the ball is hit with the hand instead of a racket. In addition, the ball is considerably harder and heavier, and is made of leather, among other things.
4. Herri Kirolak
Originally from the Basque Country, this collection of disciplines is often practiced as a show, but there are also all kinds of competitions held mainly in Northern Navarre.
Disciplines that are part of Herri Kirolak include chopping wood with axes, called Aizkolaritza, similar to the STIHL Timbersports, but also lifting heavy stones and tug-of-war.
