Football Remains King in Spain, But Paddle Tennis Gains Ground

Spain’s sporting landscape continues to be dominated by football, but a growing appetite for other activities, particularly paddle tennis, is reshaping the nation’s athletic habits. According to the III Barometer of Sports Habits in Spain, analyzed by SPSG Consulting and shared with Palco23, football remains the most practiced sport in the country in 2025, with 22.6% participation.

Shifting Sporting Preferences

Even as football holds the top spot, running and paddle tennis are gaining significant traction, with participation rates of 22% and 18.2% respectively. Paddle tennis has experienced a notable surge in popularity, climbing three positions in SPSG Consulting’s ranking. Swimming (17.6%) and walking/hiking (15.4%) round out the top five most practiced sports in Spain.

Consistent Participation in Other Sports

Fitness, tennis, and basketball maintain their positions as popular activities, with participation rates ranging between 9.6% and 11%. Though, boxing has seen the most substantial growth, rising four positions to a 2.8% participation rate. Conversely, climbing and mountaineering have experienced a decline, dropping three positions in the rankings.

Gender and Age Demographics

Football remains predominantly a male-dominated sport, with 34.2% of male respondents participating compared to 8.2% of women. However, the gap is narrowing in other activities. Running sees 23.6% male participation versus 20.1% female, while paddle tennis has 19.1% male and 17.1% female participants. Interestingly, swimming and hiking show reversed trends, with women participating more actively – 17.8% in swimming and 20.4% in hiking, compared to 17.5% and 11.4% of men, respectively.

Spectatorship vs. Participation

The report highlights a disconnect between what Spaniards do and what they watch. Football dominates viewership with 81%, but activities like swimming and running, which have high participation rates, receive comparatively less attention unless major events like the Olympics or European Championships occur. This suggests a strong cultural connection to football that extends beyond active participation.

Other Popular Spectator Sports

Following football, the most-watched sports in Spain are tennis (39%) and basketball (38%). Formula 1 (16%), cycling (12%), and athletics and MotoGP (9% each) also garner significant viewership.

The Role of Major Events

The report emphasizes that viewership for sports other than football often experiences a “seasonal vector,” increasing significantly during major international competitions, particularly when Spanish athletes achieve success.

Source: Memesita.com, based on data from SPSG Consulting and Palco23