Popular Sports to Play in the Czech Republic

Published on January 23, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Between bustling stadiums, packed ice rinks, rolling forests, and snow-capped mountains, the Czech Republic lives and breathes sport. While the country shines internationally in soccer, ice hockey, and winter sports, it above all offers an impressive playground for those who want to play, whether in the city, on the rivers, or at altitude. An overview of the most popular sports to play in the Czech Republic, and how the country is organized to make them accessible.

A Sporting Nation… But Not Yet Active Enough

The place of sport in the daily lives of Czechs is paradoxical. On one hand, major competitions electrify the entire country, stadiums fill up, and athletes are true national heroes. On the other, a significant portion of the population remains fairly inactive.

Despite this, nearly half the population does a sports activity at least once a week, and the state is investing. In 2023, the public budget for sport reached 8.7 billion Czech crowns, with about one third dedicated to national teams and two thirds to grassroots sport. Close to half a million young people (ages 5–24) are registered with clubs.

Experts who regularly assess the physical activity of children and adolescents gave a “B–” for participation in organized sports, but only a “C+” for overall activity and a “D+” for government action. The message is clear: the opportunities exist, but the potential is far from fully tapped.

Soccer: The King of Sports, From Neighborhood Pitches to Legendary Stadiums

It’s impossible to talk about popular sports to play in the Czech Republic without starting with soccer. It is by far the most followed sport in the country, and the one with the most participants. The number of registered players, referees, and coaches is estimated at several hundred thousand, and about half the population is interested in soccer.

Where and How to Play Soccer

Prague concentrates a significant part of the opportunities, with no fewer than six professional clubs in the top four divisions. But beyond big names like AC Sparta Praha or SK Slavia Praha, which draw crowds to the Generali Arena and Eden Arena, soccer is also played in parks and on municipal fields.

To give an idea of the structure of national soccer, it can be summarized as follows:

For a foreign player, opportunities range from simple 5-a-side soccer with colleagues to more structured amateur leagues. A language barrier sometimes exists, but in large cities, it’s common to find teams where English is more than enough.

Ice Hockey: The Second Pillar… That You Can Also Play

Ice hockey is the other sporting religion of the Czech Republic. The successes of the national team – notably the Olympic gold in Nagano in 1998 and multiple world titles – have nurtured a true cult around this sport.

Playing Hockey or at Least Skating

While the Extraliga (the 14-team professional league) remains out of reach for the average person, amateur hockey and figure skating are very real. In winter, public ice rinks open in most major cities. The arenas of professional clubs, like the O2 Arena in Prague or the Ostravar Aréna in Ostrava, regularly offer public skating sessions.

Furthermore, outdoor skating is a winter tradition: when conditions allow, some bodies of water freeze enough to be opened to the public. In Brno, for example, the large reservoir is sometimes accessible for skating and even cross-country skiing along the banks.

Major Infrastructures and Atmosphere

To measure the weight of hockey in Czech culture, a quick glance at the major venues is enough:

For a player, the concrete opportunities are rather in municipal or club rinks, but this density of large arenas shows how much the sport structures part of the urban landscape.

Winter Sports: Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing and Sledding in the Czech Mountains

The Czech Republic is surrounded by mountain ranges, making it a very rich winter playground. The season generally runs from October to March, with massive support from artificial snowmaking systems in the major resorts.

The country has 23 main alpine ski areas, accessible via a unified season pass, the “Czech Skipass”, which provides access to all these sites. The mountains are mostly located near the borders: Krkonoše (Giant Mountains) in the north, Šumava (Bohemian Forest) in the southwest, Krušné hory (Ore Mountains) in the west, Jeseníky and Orlické hory in the east.

Alpine Skiing and Snowboarding: Accessible and Family-Friendly Resorts

For skiers and snowboarders alike, the Czech Republic positions itself as an affordable, family-friendly destination ideal for beginners. The slopes are often shorter and less steep than in the Alps, there are many ski schools, and the infrastructure is complete (equipment rental, lodging, dining, nightlife).

A few iconic resorts:

Špindlerův Mlýn is often cited as the best resort in the country, with a rating of 3.7/5 on some specialized portals. It attracts over 700,000 visitors each winter and offers, in addition to skiing, a 4 km toboggan run, paragliding, a snowpark, and a small children’s ice rink.

Lipno, in South Bohemia, focuses on families and beginners, with wide slopes, a particularly modern children’s area, and a lake environment conducive to other activities (skating, sailing in summer, kite or windsurfing).

Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing and Winter Hiking

While alpine skiing dominates the imagination, cross-country skiing is just as ingrained in Czech culture. The country has a very extensive network of groomed cross-country trails, notably:

– the Krkonoše “magistrale”, a nordic highway of 520 km of maintained trails;

– the Šumava plateaus, with several hundred kilometers of tracks;

– the Jizerské hory (Jizera Mountains), scene of the famous Jizerská 50 race, which attracts thousands of cross-country skiers each year.

Some major winter outdoor areas:

Sledding, Bobsleigh, Skating: Playing with Snow and Ice

For those who don’t ski – or not only – several resorts have developed fun activities:

– toboggan/bobsleigh runs several kilometers long at Špindlerův Mlýn, Janské Lázně, or Dolní Morava;

– outdoor ice rinks, especially at Lipno, where the frozen lake creates the world’s longest natural ice skating track;

– night sledding routes or snow amusement parks.

These activities are very popular with families, but also with young adults seeking more the fun aspect than athletic performance.

Mountain Safety: The Zachranka App

The spread of mountain sports comes with an emphasis on safety. A mobile app, Zachranka, has become the go-to tool in case of trouble on the slopes or trails:

– it allows you to call mountain rescue while automatically sending your GPS position;

– it provides information on mountain dangers, defibrillators, and nearby hospitals;

– it offers first aid guides.

Available in Czech, but also in English, German, Polish, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese, it also works in Austria, Hungary, and the Slovak mountains. For anyone practicing outdoor sports in the Czech Republic, installing it is highly recommended.

Hiking and Cycling: The Other Great Czech Passion

Outside of winter, the Czech Republic transforms into a hiking and cycling paradise. The country has over 43,000 km of marked trails, with an extremely clear color marking system (red for major traverses, blue for important routes, green for local loops, yellow for connecting trails).

The ideal hiking season generally runs from April to October, but some low-altitude routes are passable earlier in spring and later in fall. Walking is so integrated into Czech culture that the word “tourist” is almost synonymous with hiker.

Where to Walk and Pedal

The possibilities are immense, including:

– the Bohemian Switzerland National Park (České Švýcarsko), with its gorges, sandstone arches, including the famous Pravčická brána, and nearly 400 km of trails;

– the “Bohemian Paradise” (Český ráj), its forests, “rock cities” (Hrubá Skála, Prachovské skály), and perched castles;

– the Šumava with its deep forests, peat bogs, glacial lakes along the German and Austrian border;

– the Jizera Mountains and the Czech-Moravian Highlands, perfect for less crowded treks;

– South Moravia, with its landscape of wine hills and cycling routes through vineyards.

To give an overview of the most practiced nature sports:

For those who enjoy long-distance challenges, several European trails cross the country, notably the Friendship Trail (E3) and other European paths (E6, E8, E10), not to mention some variants of the Way of St. James (Camino de Santiago).

Water Sports: Canoeing, Rafting, Paddleboarding and Swimming in Summer

As soon as temperatures rise, Czech rivers fill with canoes, rafts, and paddleboards. Multi-day trips with family or friends – simply called “Voda” (Water) – are a true summer ritual.

Canoeing, Rafting and Paddleboarding on Major Rivers

The Vltava, the “national river” flowing through Český Krumlov and Prague, remains the number one destination for canoe or raft trips. Further north, the Jizera, Sázava, Berounka, Lužnice, Ohře, and Dyje offer routes of varying difficulty, from very family-friendly (sandy, gentle current) to faster, more technical sections (like the Stvořidla rapids on the Sázava).

A table helps to quickly illustrate the profile of a few rivers:

Boat rental companies are legion, especially on the Vltava and Berounka. They generally provide canoes, life jackets, waterproof barrels, and sometimes baggage transport service. Numerous campsites line the banks, facilitating multi-day trips.

Swimming, Water Parks and Urban Beaches

Swimming is very popular, whether:

– in the “koupaliště” (outdoor swimming pools and basins, generally open from June to September);

– in lakes and reservoirs, with organized beaches;

– in water parks like Aquapalace Prague, Aqualand Moravia, or the fun centers in Liberec and Olomouc.

In Prague, several swimming spots and water activity areas dot the Vltava, with urban beaches, watersports clubs, and even an artificial surfing wave on Štvanice Island.

Emerging Team Sports: Floorball, Basketball, Volleyball, American Football

Beyond the soccer–hockey duo, other team sports are experiencing strong development and are very accessible to amateur participants.

Floorball: The Very Czech Indoor Alternative

Born in Nordic countries, floorball has found a home in the Czech Republic. The national governing body has one of the highest numbers of registered players in the world, behind Finland and Switzerland. The sport appeals especially because it’s easy to organize indoors, with minimal equipment (plastic stick, light ball, goal).

You can play it:

– in structured clubs, via national leagues (men’s Superliga, women’s Extraliga);

– at university, where multi-sports halls often offer it;

– in amateur leagues or municipal “open gyms”.

It’s a sport that is particularly attractive to young people, and many play it without competitive ambition.

For Czechs

Basketball and Volleyball: Well-Established Urban Practices

Basketball and volleyball also have professional leagues and good results from national teams. For the average participant, they come in the form of:

– amateur club leagues overseen by federations;

– university and student championships;

– “social” leagues organized by structures like Viva Sports in Prague, which offers for example 5×5 basketball leagues over several weeks, or friendly indoor beach-volleyball championships.

This type of organization is a good entry point for foreigners looking to mix sports and social meetings, without performance pressure.

American Football, Baseball, Rugby: Dynamic Niches

Some sports rarer in Western Europe are surprisingly vibrant here:

Tennis, Badminton, Climbing, Golf: The Empire of Racquet and Individual Sports

The Czech Republic is a tennis superpower, but it’s also a country where racquet sports – and more broadly individual sports – are widely practiced daily.

Tennis: From the Davis Cup to the Neighborhood Club

The country hosts several professional tournaments (WTA in Prague, Challenger tournaments in Prostějov, Ostrava, Prague) and boasts an impressive record in the Davis Cup and Fed Cup. This high-level culture translates into a large number of clubs, with courts often busy from morning till night in season.

To play:

Prices remain generally affordable compared to other European countries, especially outside Prague or Brno.

Badminton, Squash, Padel: The Wave of Indoor Sports

Badminton has many enthusiasts, with structured clubs and multi-court complexes. In Brno for example, clubs like Badminton Sharks stand out by offering coaching with English-speaking instructors, which facilitates integration for foreigners.

Padel, still new, is progressing very quickly, especially in Prague, where you can find:

– dedicated clubs with several courts (e.g., SK Prosek Padel, Padel Powers Smíchov);

– multi-racquet clubs like TK Sparta Praha that have added padel courts to their offerings.

Climbing, Bouldering, Golf, Disc Golf

Climbing, whether on rock or indoors, is one of the booming leisure activities. The sandstone rocks (Bohemian Switzerland, Adršpach‑Teplice, Český ráj) are renowned spots, while cities host large bouldering or roped climbing gyms. In Brno for example, Hangar Climbing is a reference for indoor bouldering.

Golf is also well established, with courses around Prague and Brno, including a notable site in Jinačovice near Brno, appreciated by local and expat players.

More surprisingly, disc golf is very accessible thanks to public and free courses, like the DiscGolfPark Milénova in Brno or the course in Moravský Krumlov. All you need to do is buy or rent discs to get started.

Fitness, Swimming, Yoga: Daily Practice in the City

In large urban areas, it’s daily sport that structures practice the most: fitness, swimming, yoga, dance, group classes.

Gyms, Group Classes and Multi-Access Cards

Fitness centers are numerous in large cities. In Brno, one can cite for example Big One Fitness or Ladies Gym; in Prague, the offering is even wider, with chains and independent clubs. Many offer:

– strength training and cardio;

– group classes (aerobics, HIIT, spinning, yoga, Pilates…);

– sometimes a sauna or small wellness area.

The rise of multi-access cards (like the MultiSport Card) allows access to several facilities with a single subscription, facilitating experimentation with new sports.

Pools, Water Parks and Recreational Swimming

Swimming remains one of the most in-demand activities, but also one where the lack of facilities is most glaring: a significant portion of the population would like more pools, and nearly half of respondents identify pools as the most lacking infrastructure.

Despite this deficit, large cities have several public pools. A few examples:

– in Prague, the Podolí water stadium, an iconic outdoor and indoor complex;

– in Brno, the 50 m pool at Lužánky, the Kraví hora aquatic center, but also outdoor pools like Riviéra;

– regional water parks, like Aqualand Moravia, complement the recreational offering.

Pools operate with time slots reserved for lanes (clubs, lessons) and others for free swimming. Hours generally run from early morning to evening, making it easy to organize, even on weekdays.

Yoga, Dance, Urban Sports

Yoga is in high demand, to the point of being among the most requested facilities at the local level. Many studios – sometimes within parks themselves, like at Lužánky in Brno – offer classes, often outdoors in summer.

Parks play a key role in spontaneous practice:

– jogging, strength training in street‑workout areas;

– slackline strung between two trees;

– pétanque, frisbee, yoga at sunset.

The rise of these practices testifies to a desire to move differently, outside strictly competitive frameworks.

Brno, Prague, Ostrava: Three Cities, Three Ways to Live Sport

The major Czech cities offer varied sporting profiles, which summarize well the diversity of the national offering.

Prague: Capital of Clubs, Social Leagues and Events

Prague concentrates the majority of major facilities: soccer stadiums (Eden, Generali Arena), O2 Arena, Tennis Štvanice, ice rinks, pools, fitness centers, climbing gyms. The city is also a laboratory for new sports (padel, indoor surfing, artificial wave, multicultural social leagues).

A notable event is the “Free Sports Week”, organized at the end of December, which opens the doors of dozens of facilities (pools, gyms, ice rinks, soccer fields…) free of charge. It’s a very concrete way to encourage residents to try new sports.

Brno: City of Circuits, Nature and Multi‑Sport

Brno is known for its motor racing circuit (Masaryk Circuit) and tradition of motorsports, but it is also a fantastic multisport hub: a reservoir suitable for swimming in summer, for skating and cross-country skiing in winter, parks like Lužánky dedicated to jogging, pétanque, yoga or workout, university sports centers (CESA).

Brno illustrates well this mix of organized sport (clubs, leagues) and free practice in public spaces.

Ostrava and Industrial Cities: From Soccer to International Races

Ostrava, long associated with coal and steel, now focuses on major sporting events: the Golden Spike athletics meeting, hockey training camps and matches, international competitions. The city also plans a new soccer stadium (New Bazaly) for its iconic club Baník Ostrava.

In other industrial cities like Plzeň, soccer and hockey clubs structure local identity. For residents, sport is both a spectacle and a space for practice, via clubs, municipal halls, and pools.

Children, Teens and Sport: A Major Challenge for the Future

Data on young Czechs is both encouraging and concerning. The number of registered participants aged 5–24 exceeds 480,000, a little over one-fifth of this age group, but perception surveys show:

– that a large portion of 16–30 year olds are indifferent or hostile to sport;

– that many know exercise is good for health but don’t derive pleasure from it;

– that about one in eight young people actively avoids physical activity.

These results underscore that the most popular sports to watch (soccer, hockey) are not always the ones preferred for daily practice. On the other hand, easily accessible activities like running, cycling or swimming play a central role in weekly physical activity, especially since they are correlated with a higher probability of meeting health recommendations.

How to Get Started When Coming from Abroad?

For a student, expat, or medium-term visitor, the Czech Republic is very favorable ground for sports participation, provided you know a few key things.

First, clubs remain the main vehicle for organized sport. Whether it’s soccer, floorball, tennis, or swimming, most cities have clubs ready to welcome new members, often with “beginner” slots. Many already display information in English, especially in larger cities.

Finally, the emergence of private and social leagues – Viva Sports in Prague, for example – facilitates the integration of people who don’t yet speak Czech well. These structures organize basketball, volleyball, soccer or other sport championships with a strong community and international dimension.

Parks, marked trails, and rivers complete the picture, offering almost endless possibilities for hiking, running, cycling, or water sports, often free or low-cost.

Towards a More Active Czech Republic?

Despite an impressive level of performance in many sports (skiing, tennis, hockey, athletics, biathlon, motorsports…), the Czech Republic faces a challenge: transforming this culture of passionate spectators into a culture of regular participants.

Official reports on the physical activity of children and youth, studies on the sports preferences of adolescents, but also statistics on the use of facilities show that:

– infrastructure exists, sometimes in insufficient numbers for certain sports (pools, fitness centers, yoga studios), especially outside large cities;

– participation drops sharply with age, particularly during adolescence;

– territorial inequalities (regions less well equipped) and social ones (education level) weigh heavily.

For anyone wishing to participate, the doors are wide open. Whether you dream of racing down the slopes of the Krkonoše, paddling on the Vltava, running in Prague’s parks, playing floorball with colleagues, or trying padel on a weeknight, the Czech Republic offers a rare combination: a country of great champions where sport remains, above all, an everyday affair.

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

Find me on social media: