This year, the great stars of the sporting world will return to defend their titles. Discover when and where you can get involved with the best sporting events of the year in Spain.
1. Spanish Formula 1 Grand Prix, Montmeló
2. Red Bull MotoGP, Jerez
If you can’t make it to Jerez this year, you can still enjoy the speed and excitement at one of the other three Grand Prix that are also celebrated in Spain: Barcelona in June, Aragón in October and Cheste (Valencia) in November.
3. Andalusia Valderrama Masters, Cadiz
Rent a holiday home in Andalucia and enjoy its huge concentration of golf courses and what’s more, the International Association of Golf Operators (IAGTO) has recognised Andalusia as the "European Golf Destination of the Year" thanks to the quantity and quality of its golf courses.
4. La Vuelta a España Road Bike Race
During summer, the spotlight will be on Spain in many homes, as the "La Vuelta Ciclista a España" will take the viewers through most parts of the country.
5. Mutua Madrid Open Tennis Tournament
The incredible Caja Mágica sports stadium in Madrid will once again host the Mutua Madrid Open Tennis Tournament at the end of April. It’s an incredible stadium due to its moving walls which allows games to be played outdoors as well as indoors - a true architectural wonder in which to enjoy the best tennis with the best players in the world in one of the best cities in Spain.
6. Rally Catalunya Històric-Rally de Les Caves
This regularity race for classic vehicles will run along 600 kilometres of closed roads that include stages used in the past for the famous Rally Catalunya, part of the World Rally Championship calendar.
If you plan to stay in Barcelona, don't miss out on the start and arrival of the race. You will have the chance to enjoy the view of some fantastic race cars, and get a taste of the adrenaline typical of such events.
7. El Clasico Football: Real Madrid vs F.C. Barcelona
8. Málaga Half Marathon
In November, the popular half marathon in Málaga will take place. After many years with the same route, the organisers have chosen to make a new route, but it will start and end in the same place giving the spectators much better possibilities to cheer and to participate.
The route will start at Paseo del Parque in the centre of Málaga. Much of the route will run along the waterfront, both in the north and in the south of the city. This gives a lot of room for spectators and for the stands with supplies for the runners. It also gives you many options for where to stay in Málaga to be close to this great event.
The runners will also pass the harbour, Muelle Uno, the Centre Pompidou, the old tobacco factory which today contains the Russian Museum and the Automobile Museum, and on their way back to the finish line they will pass La Plaza de Merced, the Picasso museum, the Roman theatre and the fortress Alcazaba. Finally, they will pass the Museo de Bella Artes de Málaga before reaching the finish line.
If you are a runner, you may want to get more information about the best marathons and running event held in Spain.
In Spain, all types of sports are celebrated in special ways, so it is not surprising that it hosts some of the most important international championships and events in each discipline.
While football will always be the national sport, the popularity of Formula 1, tennis and cycling continue to grow, not to mention that Spain's athletes are among the best.
There is nothing like feeling the excitement of live sports. Now, it’s time to plan your getaway to Spain and plan which events you'd like to see.