Football Reclaims Status as Spain's Most Practiced and Followed Sport in 2025
In 2025, football reestablishes itself as Spain's top sport in both participation and fandom, surpassing running and pádel amid notable gender participation differences.
- • Football is the most practiced sport in Spain at 22.6% in 2025.
- • Running and pádel closely follow with 22% and 18.2% participation respectively.
- • Boxing shows significant growth; climbing experiences a decline.
- • Football is also the most followed sport in Spain at 81%.
Key details
In 2025, football has solidified its position as the most practiced sport in Spain, with 22.6% of the population actively participating, according to the III Barómetro de Hábitos en Deporte en España by SPSG Consulting. This marks a return to the top spot, closely contested by running at 22% and pádel at 18.2%. Other popular sports include swimming (17.6%) and walking or hiking (15.4%). Notably, boxing has experienced significant growth, moving up four positions to a 2.8% participation rate, whereas climbing and mountaineering have seen a decline.
Gender disparities persist in sports participation: football is predominantly played by men (34.2%) compared to women (8.2%), especially popular among young men aged 18 to 29 (38.1%). Running and pádel show narrower gender gaps, with men and women participating in relatively similar proportions. Women lead slightly in swimming (17.8% vs. 17.5%) and walking/hiking (20.4% vs. 11.4%).
Beyond active participation, football is also the most followed sport in Spain, engaging 81% of the population, maintaining a far lead over tennis (39%) and basketball (38%). While many sports enjoy high participation rates, their iconic versions are less followed outside major events like the Olympics, which boost national interest when Spanish athletes excel.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
