Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
In Cambodia, sport is not just a pastime: it is a living piece of the country’s history, an engine for social mobility for the youth, and a tremendous meeting ground for travelers. From thousand-year-old Khmer martial arts to football watched in cafes, urban basketball, cycling around Angkor, and boat racing on the Tonlé Sap, the choice is vast for those who want to participate rather than just watch.
This article provides a practical overview of sports you can practice in Cambodia, incorporating the cultural context, infrastructure, key locations, and useful tips. It is concretely aimed at expatriates, travelers, and Cambodians wishing to discover activities on-site, beyond a simple theoretical listing.
Kun Khmer and Khmer Martial Arts: The Beating Heart of Cambodian Sport
In the Cambodian imagination, it’s difficult to separate sport and martial arts. The bas-reliefs of Angkor Wat, Bayon, or Ta Prohm already show scenes of boxing and wrestling. These ancient images find their continuation today in very much alive practices, accessible to beginners as well as seasoned practitioners.
Kun Khmer (Pradal Serey): The National Boxing Within Glove’s Reach
Kun Khmer, often called Pradal Serey, is the quintessential Cambodian boxing. It is a striking and clinching sport, using fists, feet, knees, and elbows, sometimes summarized as an “art of eight weapons.” Fights take place over five three-minute rounds in a 6.1-meter square ring, with one and a half to two minutes of rest.
For those who wish to practice, the offer is abundant. There are about 70 boxing clubs in the country, concentrated mainly in Phnom Penh and major cities. Most offer classes for beginners, with equipment lent or rented on-site. Sessions are primarily aimed at young adults, generally between 14 and 25 years old, often from modest backgrounds, but more and more foreigners are also coming to learn or improve.
Training is demanding: professional boxers train up to six to eight hours a day, seven days a week, under the guidance of a kru (master). Even for a recreational practitioner, the intensity remains high, with a lot of physical conditioning, flexibility work, and repetition of elbow techniques – a Khmer specialty – and roundhouse kicks. The clinch is used dynamically: the goal is not just to control, but to strike quickly, then release.
Before each Kun Khmer fight, boxers perform the respect ritual called *kun kru*, accompanied by traditional music played on the *sralai* (Khmer oboe), *sampho* drums, and *chhing* cymbals. This cultural dimension also permeates training, where technical moves bear poetic names evoking animals, such as *krapeu-ha* (“the crocodile opening its mouth”) or *kla-krab* (“the tiger lying down”).
Amateur and professional fights are very frequent, especially in Phnom Penh where over 50 bouts per week have been recorded in the region. They are broadcast live by several national channels: TV5, CTN, Bayon TV, TV3, Apsara TV. For an enthusiast, attending a weekend gala is almost as easy as watching a soccer match in a European bar. For a practitioner, this density of competitions also means the possibility of quickly moving from the status of a simple student to that of a ring fighter, provided one accepts the risks: fractures, dislocations, and trauma exist, even though most are treated and heal.
Despite this tough side, Kun Khmer offers a true social ladder. Purses have increased significantly: where a boxer earned between 200,000 and 300,000 riels ($50 to $75) per tournament between 2019 and 2021, the best can now earn between $1,000 and $3,000 per fight, even reaching $10,000 with sponsors. For young people from rural Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, or Svay Rieng – where nearly 70% of the boxers in the Phnom Penh circuit come from – this represents a major life stake.
Institutionally, the discipline is overseen by the Cambodian Boxing Federation, which issues licenses for judges, referees, and fighters. Authorities are heavily betting on this national boxing: Kun Khmer is now officially part of the Southeast Asian Games program, and international events are organized as far as Europe or South Korea, opening opportunities for the best.
Bokator: The Warrior Art Become Cultural Heritage
If Kun Khmer is the modern sporting showcase, Bokator is the great ancestor, the cultural matrix. This battlefield martial art, once used by Khmer armies, combines striking, wrestling, joint locks, groundwork, throws, and weapon handling such as bamboo sticks, swords, or short sticks. A complete practice, sometimes described as “the art of fighting with the whole body.”
Bokator, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage, nearly disappeared under the Khmer Rouge. Its resurrection owes much to Grand Master San Kim Sean, who returned to teach in the country in the early 2000s and found elderly masters aged 60 to 90 to perpetuate this ancestral martial art.
San Kim Sean, father of modern Bokator
For a foreign practitioner, entry is usually through community schools or clubs affiliated with the Cambodia Kun Bokator Federation, active in thirteen provinces. Teaching is progressive and based on a ranking system symbolized by the color of the kroma, the scarf around the waist: white, then green, blue, red, brown, black (with ten degrees), and finally gold for grand masters. There are said to be 341 different styles and thousands of techniques, often inspired by animals or elements: king monkey, lion, crocodile, elephant, crane, wind, fire, water…
Minimum number of months of daily work required to reach the first level, with two hours of training per day.
Beyond technique, Bokator is an immersion into Khmer culture. The uniforms are inspired by ancient armies, with a colored kroma and silk cords on the arms, once believed to magically protect the fighter. The pre-fight rituals, the music played (pleng pradal), and references to the local pantheon make it as much a spiritual as a sporting practice. It is also found in dance shows (Chhay Yam), in popular theater, or in film, even inspiring international productions.
For those who wish to try it, Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are the best starting points: there are structured clubs, sometimes open to foreigners, and occasional workshops, often announced via social media or relayed by NGOs and sports schools.
Traditional Khmer Wrestling: A Festive Sport Still Alive
Alongside the two major arts, traditional Khmer wrestling – often called Baok Cham Bab or Jap Baok – remains widely practiced during festivals, especially during Khmer New Year and some major celebrations. The rules are simple: a match consists of three rounds, each round going to the wrestler who manages to put his opponent on his back. Whoever wins two rounds is declared the winner.
Before each match, the two wrestlers perform a ritual dance, accompanied by percussion played on two drums, Skor Ngey (“female” drum) and Chhmol (“male” drum). For a practitioner, access is more through villages and rural communities than through structured gyms, although some festivals offer introductory workshops. It’s a rustic contact sport, but with a friendly atmosphere, quite different from the ultra-codified setting of a Kun Khmer ring.
Soccer: The King of Sports, From Dusty Fields to the Professional League
Soccer is today the most followed sport in Cambodia. Introduced by the French in the early 20th century, it has established itself as the number one pastime, from the alleys of Phnom Penh to rice fields turned into makeshift pitches. For someone who simply wants to play, often all that’s needed is a ball and a vaguely flat field: games are organized everywhere, including in the city, on school or pagoda grounds.
The country has a professional championship, the Cambodian Premier League. Administered by the Cambodian Football League Company under the auspices of the Cambodian Football Federation (founded in 1933, a FIFA member since 1953), this league currently brings together eleven teams. Clubs are distributed between Phnom Penh and several provinces like Siem Reap, Svay Rieng, Takéo, and Preah Sihanouk.
Local players benefit from an increasingly organized environment: the league is working to improve the level of competition, provides clubs with video analysis tools, and helps them reach Asian Football Confederation club licensing standards. A development league is being prepared for the 18-23 age group, with strict quotas on the number of foreigners to multiply playing time for young Cambodians.
For a practitioner, several options exist. Many clubs have academies for youth, from U12 up to U21 categories. At the same time, NGOs and programs like Globalteer or Kampuchea Balopp use soccer as an educational tool, especially around Siem Reap and Pursat. These programs welcome hundreds, even thousands of children each week, with sessions focused on play, but also on values like fair play, respect, and teamwork.
The table below gives a simplified overview of the soccer pyramid in Cambodia, useful for understanding where to position oneself as a practitioner.
| Level of Practice | Main Structure | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|
| Informal Recreational | Village fields, schools, parks | Children, youth, adults |
| School / NGO Soccer | Schools, programs like Globalteer, NGOs | Children and teens, mixed |
| CPL Club Academies | U12 to U21 academies of professional clubs | Young talents, selected |
| Development Championship | Future U18-U23 league limited in foreigners | Young players near high level |
| Cambodian Premier League | Professional first division | Professional players |
For a visiting foreigner, joining a pick-up game is simple: just head to the large fields near universities or urban parks in the late afternoon, especially in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Locals often willingly include an extra player, with no formality other than a smile and a “sousdei” (hello).
Basketball: An Urban Sport in Full Expansion
Less historically anchored than soccer, basketball is progressing fast, especially among young people in the city. Improvised games on school grounds, colleges, or in parks are now commonplace, boys and girls alike. Popularity is driven by television, social media, and the appeal of American leagues, but also by a progressive structuring of Cambodian basketball.
Structure, competitions, and infrastructure of Cambodian basketball
Governance is provided by the Cambodian Basketball Federation, founded in 1954 and affiliated with FIBA since 1958.
Since the late 1990s, the country has regularly sent teams to the Southeast Asian Games, both men’s and women’s.
The Cambodian Basketball League has existed since 2013. It brings together eight teams based in Phnom Penh.
Games are played notably at the Beeline Arena, a modern facility meeting international standards, and at the National Olympic Committee headquarters.
This championship has the particularity of requiring at least two Cambodian players on the court for each team at all times, while allowing the integration of foreign players from the United States, Australia, Japan, or the Philippines. Salaries are comparable to those in other Southeast Asian leagues, which attracts a decent pool of imported players and allows locals to compete at a higher level.
For younger players, the federation organizes dedicated competitions: high school league, Primary School Games, secondary and university games, biennial National Games. A talent identification and development program for under-15s has been launched, with the number of players followed year-round increasing from 12 to 24, exposed to regional international competitions.
The following table summarizes the main development axes of basketball in Cambodia, useful to know if one wishes to get seriously involved.
| Development Axis | Concrete Actions |
|---|---|
| Youth (U15 and up) | Camps, school leagues, U15 program with annual training |
| Territorial Network | Goal of visibility in all 25 provinces, focus on 5 key regions |
| 3×3 Basketball | Active promotion for lower costs and international exposure |
| Coaching & Officiating | Training of coaches, referees, technical officials |
| Women’s Basketball | Commitment to develop women’s and mixed teams |
For a visiting player, joining a friendly match is often done via social media, local player groups, or by going to university courts in the late afternoon. Basic equipment (appropriate shoes, knee pads, mouthguard) is highly recommended, especially outdoors where surfaces can be abrasive and slippery, particularly during the rainy season.
Cycling: Exploring the Country at Handlebar Height
With its generally flat terrain and roads that are relatively less trafficked outside major cities, Cambodia is particularly well-suited to cycling, whether for a leisurely ride around Siem Reap or an itinerary from Phnom Penh to Battambang.
Phnom Penh itself, although chaotic at peak hours, is a city where cycling remains viable. Its grid of numbered streets facilitates orientation, especially around major arteries like Norodom Boulevard. Cool mornings or evenings after 10 PM are the best time slots, when traffic decreases. Along the Sisowath Quay, on the Tonlé Sap riverbank, the wide sidewalks allow for smooth riding, while being mindful of pedestrians.
This is the total distance, in kilometers, of over 1000 cycling routes mapped around the capital.
Another advantage: clubs. In Phnom Penh, groups like the Phnom Penh Easy Riders organize 35 to 60-kilometer rides every Saturday morning, starting at dawn to avoid the heat, while Phnom Penh Bike Hash offers a monthly ride mixing cycling and socializing. These groups communicate widely via Facebook, simplifying contact for newcomers.
The following table provides an overview of some typical types of routes around the capital.
| Type of Ride | Indicative Distance | Average Elevation Gain | Practitioner Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Ride | 7 to 20 km | Very low | Beginner, family |
| River/Peninsula Loop | 30 to 60 km | Low | Regular cyclist |
| Inter-City Link | 70 to 130 km | Low | Trained cyclist |
| Itinerary Phnom Penh – Siem Reap (Tonlé Sap Trail) | ~115 km (in segments) | Low | Long-distance traveler |
Bike rental and purchase are easy in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. In the capital, a large area between Orussey Market and Monivong Boulevard concentrates hundreds of bikes for sale, from basic mountain bikes for around $120 to used models around $40. For more technical gear (carbon frames, GPS, specialized clothing), shops like Sophy Bicycle Shop downtown offer a wide choice and English-speaking staff.
In Phnom Penh, shops like Flying Bikes 2 or Silk Island rental shops offer mountain bikes for $7-8/day (helmet and lock included), often requiring a passport as a deposit. In Siem Reap, tourism agencies and NGOs, like White Bicycles, also rent bikes, with a portion of the revenue funding community projects.
The climate imposes some common-sense rules. The dry season, from November to April, is the most indicated for cycling: dry roads, clear skies, temperatures generally between 68 and 90°F (20 and 32°C). Between March and May, the heat becomes stronger, with peaks above 95°F (35°C), hence the importance of starting very early (5:30 – 6 AM) and planning for plenty of water, sunscreen, and breathable clothing. During the rainy season, from May to October, city cycling remains possible, but dirt roads in the countryside can become muddy, even impassable; deep puddles sometimes hide ruts.
Finally, a crucial recommendation for adventurers: in some rural areas of the western part of the country, the presence of old landmines and unexploded ordnance is still reported. It’s better to stay on well-traveled roads and tracks and be wary of “shortcuts” off known routes.
Running: Angkor Marathons and International Half Marathons
For running enthusiasts, Cambodia offers a playing field as spectacular as it is demanding. Several major events are organized each year, in settings unique in the world, like the Angkor complex or the Sihanoukville waterfront. They combine athletic challenge, cultural immersion, and humanitarian engagement.
Around Siem Reap, two events dominate: the Angkor Empire Marathon and the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon. These races take place at the heart of the archaeological site, with a start and finish in front of Angkor Wat for the half marathon. The course winds between temples, along moats, through villages, and passes near about fifteen monuments, like Ta Keo or the gates of Angkor Thom. Distances offered range from introductory formats (3 km) to the full 42.195 km marathon, including 5, 10, and 21 kilometers depending on the event.
Maximum number of runners, including a majority of international amateurs, participating in recent editions of the Angkor marathon.
For these races are not mere competitions: the Angkor Wat International Half Marathon, for example, raises funds for landmine victims, to finance prosthetics, reintegration programs, educational and health actions. Part of the proceeds also supports children’s hospitals, like the Angkor Children Hospital and the Kantha Bopha Hospital. Other events, like the Phnom Penh International Half Marathon or the AIA Pink Run, combine performance and support for pediatric hospitals or breast cancer awareness.
The table below gives an overview of some major road races organized in Cambodia and their specificity for runners.
| Event | Main Location | Distances Offered | Specificity for the Practitioner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angkor Empire Marathon | Siem Reap / Angkor | 3 km, 10 km, 21.1 km, 42.195 km | Course at the heart of temples, mixed terrain, heat |
| Angkor Wat International Half Marathon | Siem Reap / Angkor | 3, 5, 10, 21 km | Charity run, strong international participation |
| Phnom Penh International Half Marathon | Phnom Penh | 21.1 km | Urban course, start in front of the Royal Palace |
| Sihanoukville International Half Marathon | Sihanoukville | 21 km | Hilly course by the sea |
| AIA Pink Run | Phnom Penh | Mid-range formats | Breast cancer awareness run |
| Women Run 10K | Various | 10 km | Event focused on female participation |
Regarding conditions, the main difficulty comes from the climate. Even in December, in Siem Reap, temperatures range between 64 and 82°F (18 and 28°C); in Sihanoukville, in March, they can go from 81 to 97°F (27 to 36°C). Starts are therefore set very early (5 or 5:30 AM) and organizers provide water stations every two kilometers, sometimes supplemented with bananas. The course is generally flat, on paved roads or well-compacted dirt tracks, but the heat and humidity demand serious preparation, rigorous hydration, and, for long formats, the possible use of gels or energy supplements.
Registration is done online, with “early bird” rates and limited refund options. Each participant receives a bib, a souvenir pack, and a finisher’s medal. For certain distances, a specific t-shirt is also provided. Organizers may offer a pass to recognize part of the course in the Angkor area before the race, but a separate entrance ticket is needed to access the inside of temples.
For a recreational runner, these events are a unique way to combine sports travel and cultural discovery, while contributing to very concrete solidarity projects on the ground.
Volleyball and Sepak Takraw: Village Sports and National Competitions
In many Cambodian countryside areas, a simple glance at a beaten-earth field between two houses or behind a school is enough to measure the popularity of volleyball. A net strung between two trees, a ball going from one side to the other, shouts and laughter: the scene repeats from village to village. For many inhabitants, volleyball is even more familiar than soccer, as it requires less space and is easily played with four or six players.
In Pastar Char, near Siem Reap, a school followed by Globalteer has implemented structured sports education. Sessions follow the classic warm-up – technical learning – match pattern, combining soccer, volleyball, and sometimes basketball. Sports festivals are organized to value participation, respect, and teamwork rather than just the result. In other partner schools, the installation of volleyball poles and nets has given new life to previously unused spaces.
In parallel, another net sport is all the rage: Sepak Takraw, sometimes called sek dai, si, or chinlon. It is a game of “kick volleyball” typical of Southeast Asia, played on a court close in size to badminton, with a rattan or synthetic ball. Players use neither hands nor arms, but only feet, shins, knees, chest, shoulders, and head. Backward flips and spectacular acrobatics are commonplace in high-level matches.
Total number of participants in the fourth edition of the National Sepaktakraw and Chinlone Games in Cambodia.
For a practitioner, Sepak Takraw is both technically difficult and extremely fun. The basics can be learned in local clubs or simply by joining a neighborhood match: many volleyball courts are in fact dedicated to this sport, the nets being at the right height for foot smashes. Progression is rapid in terms of enjoyment, even if the spectacular moves of international competitions require years of practice.
Pétanque, Skateboarding, Boat Racing: Other Ways to Move
Cambodia is not limited to a few flagship sports. A whole galaxy of activities, often linked to colonial history, the country’s geography, or the influence of NGOs, enriches the panorama of sports to practice.
Inherited from the French period, pétanque has become a mass pastime in Cambodia, overseen by the Cambodian Boules and Pétanque Federation. It attracts competitors from all 25 provinces, with 327 athletes participating in the latest national championships. For visitors, it’s easy to spot makeshift courts in neighborhoods, where games are played in the shade in the late afternoon. Joining an end is often done with a simple wave.
Board sports, on the other hand, found an urban breeding ground from the 2010s. Skateboarding saw its first specialized shops appear, then the NGO Skateistan set up in Phnom Penh in 2011, offering free classes to underprivileged children. A visit by Tony Hawk, a legend of the discipline, a few years later, gave it additional spotlight. Today, a national skateboarding and roller sports federation exists and oversees the development of the practice. For a practitioner with their own skateboard, the main spots remain the skateparks built by these structures or some tolerated public spaces, mainly in Phnom Penh.
Traditional boat races, with long, narrow boats that can have dozens of rowers, are a major event of the Water Festival on the Tonlé Sap or Mekong. Although difficult to practice individually, joining a village crew offers a unique sporting and cultural experience. Similarly, ox-cart races are organized during Khmer New Year, perpetuating playful traditions linked to agrarian culture.
Sports and Youth: Educational Programs and Social Issues
Behind this diversity of sports, a broader issue emerges: using physical activity as a vector for education, social cohesion, and gender equality. Several programs, often carried by NGOs in partnership with local schools, strive to give children regular access to sport, in a context where physical education classes remain rare in the public system.
Number of students reached by a structured sports program in Siem Reap and its surroundings, aiming to integrate sport into their habits.
The effects go beyond physical condition. They work on self-confidence, self-esteem, abilities to speak in public, cooperate, manage victory or defeat. Projects also target gender inequalities: a national survey cited in these programs shows that over 90% of women and over 80% of men still consider a woman’s primary place to be in the home. To counter this stereotype, some initiatives offer specific sessions for teenage girls, led by female coaches, to learn to project themselves into leadership roles through sport.
In some contexts, the practice of sports like soccer and volleyball can serve as a tool for emancipation. These activities demonstrate to families that girls and boys can play together and that girls are just as capable of sporting performance (scoring, spiking) and speaking up. In the medium term, these changes observed on the ground contribute to broader shifts in mindsets.
Water, Nature, and Adventure: Kayaking, Diving, and Water Activities
Even if our main subject is not tourism, it’s impossible to ignore the very concrete dimension of certain water activities in Cambodia, as they are linked to daily life and the natural context.
Tonlé Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, is a major source of protein (60% of Cambodia’s freshwater fishing) and a place conducive to water sports. Near Siem Reap, excursions combine biking and kayaking: after a bike ride in the countryside, visitors embark in kayaks to navigate between floating villages, flooded mangrove forests, and water markets. These outings last half a day, a full day, or several days for the more experienced.
The villages of Mechrey, Kampong Phluk, or Kampong Khleang are often on the itinerary. For practitioners, the interest is twofold: real physical effort (kayaking in heat and humidity engages cardio and upper body) and immersion in an exceptional natural and human environment, designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Most tours are led by experienced guides, with an educational component on the ecosystem and community life.
On the coasts of Sihanoukville and neighboring islands, water clarity and the presence of coral reefs favor the development of diving and snorkeling. Furthermore, some tours offer swimming in areas where one can observe the phenomenon of bioluminescence, created by luminous algae or plankton that react to movement.
In Phnom Penh, other forms of water activities are emerging, like wakeboarding in specialized parks or wave pools in waterparks frequented by families. While these practices fall more under organized leisure than structured sport, they testify to a changing urban sports landscape, where the offering diversifies beyond traditional disciplines.
How to Choose and Practice Your Sport in Cambodia?
Faced with this abundance, how to find your way when living in Cambodia or staying there for a few weeks? A simple way is to consider three criteria: cultural connection, ease of access, and desired physical intensity.
Khmer martial arts (Kun Khmer, Bokator) and traditional sports (wrestling, boat racing, local pétanque, Sepak Takraw) offer a deep cultural immersion linked to ancient practices, rituals, music, and historical narratives. However, especially for combat martial arts, this commitment involves a counterpart of high physical and mental intensity and a degree of risk to consider.
For those prioritizing ease of access and the social aspect, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and pétanque are ideal. You can start with no particular skill level, find courts everywhere, basic equipment costs little, and integration into an informal group happens very quickly. Educational programs and structured clubs then allow, if desired, to progress in a more formal framework.
Cambodia is a suitable destination for traveling sports enthusiasts wishing to practice cycling and running, thanks to its terrain and low density outside cities. Structures exist: cycling clubs, serious rental shops, Angkor marathons, urban half marathons, and tours combining biking and kayaking. It is essential to respect climatic constraints and remain cautious on the roads.
In all cases, the key point remains the same: sport in Cambodia is not mere tourist scenery, but a living space. Participating in it, even briefly, is entering into direct contact with a society that, after decades of tragedy, uses play, combat, and movement to rebuild, come together, and project itself towards the future.
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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.
