Many sports are practiced in Navarre. Many of these sports are known worldwide, but there are also some lesser-known ones, especially outside of Spain. With its varied landscapes and vibrant sports culture, Navarre is a paradise for sports enthusiasts and adventurers.
1. Football
Football is the most popular sport in Navarre. The most important football club in Navarre is Club Atlético Osasuna in Pamplona, the capital. Osasuna plays in La Liga and is known for the passion and support of its fans. The Osasuna hooligans, the Indargorris (“Red Force” in Basque), sing at every match and always support Osasuna, regardless of the result.
Football and futsal are widely practiced in Navarre. Many schools have futsal courts where children enjoy playing together during breaks.
2. Frontenis
Frontenis is a sport that is often played in villages in Navarre. Originally from Mexico, it is also widely played in northern Spain.
Es ist eine Mischung aus Tennis und Squash, bei der ein Gummiball mit speziellen Schlägern (ähnlich wie Tennisschläger, aber leichter) gegen die Wand geschlagen wird. Der Ball ist kleiner als ein Tennisball und sorgt für ein schnelles Spiel. Dieser Sport kann eins gegen eins oder zwei gegen zwei gespielt werden. Die Spieler versuchen, den Ball über die Linie an der Wand vorne zu schlagen, wie beim Squash.
This sport is played in a fronton. A fronton is sometimes covered, but it can also be uncovered. The differences with squash are that the field is much larger (officially 30 meters long) and there is no right wall.
If you visit small Navarrese villages, you’ll see a fronton in most of them, where locals often gather to spend their afternoons, especially in the summer.
3. Basque Pelota (or Pelota Mano)
Pelota Vasca (“Basque Ball”), also known as Pelota Mano (literally “Hand Ball”), originally comes from the Basque Country, but is also often played in Navarre. It closely resembles frontenis. This sport is also played in a fronton.
However, in this sport, the ball is hit with the hand instead of with a racket. Additionally, the ball is significantly harder and heavier, and is made of leather, among other materials.
4. Herri Kirolak
Originally from the Basque Country, this collection of disciplines is often practiced as a show, but there are also various competitions held mainly in northern Navarre.
The disciplines that are part of Herri Kirolak include wood chopping with axes, called Aizkolaritza, similar to STIHL Timbersports, but also lifting heavy stones and tug-of-war.
