Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
In Lebanon, sport is not just a television spectacle or a memory of past international events. Between sea and mountain, neighborhood stadiums and large arenas, historic clubs and new fitness centers, the country offers a surprisingly rich playground for those who want to move. Despite a deep economic crisis, a youth struck by unemployment, and a largely absent state, the Lebanese continue to invest in football fields, hiking trails, rock faces, and gyms.
This article provides an overview of the most practiced sports in Lebanon, based on concrete data. It presents accessible disciplines, available infrastructure, places to practice, and the social context, going beyond professional sports alone.
Football, Futsal, and Beach Soccer: The Beating Heart of Lebanese Sports
Football is, by far, the most popular sport in Lebanon. Historically introduced at the end of the 19th century in Christian schools, it is now present in every neighborhood, every village, every refugee camp. Most Lebanese identify with a club, whether prestigious like Nejmeh, Ansar, or Ahed, or more modest but locally rooted.
Playing Football Daily
Amateur football practice requires very little: an empty lot, a schoolyard, a beach, a ball. This is one of the great strengths of this sport in a country where over 60% of children and adolescents do not reach recommended levels of physical activity, according to Lebanese reports on youth sports participation.
You can find:
The Lebanese sports landscape includes a variety of facilities: municipal or club-owned fields, installations in Palestinian camps (such as Al-Nidal, Al-Somod, and Al Nahda in Bar Elias), private academies like the Advanced Soccer Academy (ASA) with about 500 members and a monthly fee of around $160, and private multi-sport centers like SportsVille or the future Champs complex.
This network of private and associative structures partially compensates for the weakness of public programs: only 4.5% of students participated in competitions or events organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports during the 2016–2017 school year, out of nearly 925,000 students.
Table – Some figures on organized youth participation
| Indicator (youth in Lebanon) | Approximate value |
|---|---|
| Students who participated in a ministry sports event (2016–2017) | 4.5% |
| Children/teens achieving 60 min of physical activity/day (≥ 5 days/week) | 20.7% |
| Share of boys reaching this threshold | 28.5% |
| Share of girls reaching this threshold | 14.3% |
These figures show both the enormous popularity of informal football and the weakness of structured programs. For many boys, and increasingly for girls, the ball remains one of the rare gateways to regular activity.
Al Nejmeh, Showcase of a Broader Vision
Among the flagship clubs, Al Nejmeh is no longer content with fielding a first team. Its strategic plan rests on four pillars: renovation of its stadium (“Nejmeh Fortress”), creation of a youth academy with a pathway to the senior team, diversification into futsal, women’s football, and beach soccer, and development of innovative revenue streams.
A fund of $500,000 was raised to modernize the stadium, improve the stands, and enhance the fan experience.
Futsal and Beach Soccer: Disciplines of the Future
Futsal, the indoor version of football, and beach soccer, played on sand, are identified as sectors with strong potential. In a country with a dense coastline and numerous beaches, beach soccer could easily develop, especially in summer. Similarly, futsal offers an ideal solution in urban areas where space is scarce, such as Beirut or Tripoli.
Al Nejmeh’s “One Club, All Sports” project illustrates this trend: capitalizing on the passion for football to expand into more varied formats better suited to local constraints (climate, urban density, field availability).
Basketball: An Indoor Sport That Became a Social Phenomenon
Basketball occupies a place almost as central as football in Lebanese sports culture. Introduced in the 1920s through American missions and students returning from abroad, it is now played in schools, clubs, private academies, and neighborhood courts.
From the Neighborhood Court to the International Stage
Lebanon has long been among the best countries in Asia in men’s basketball, with a national team regularly appearing at the FIBA World Cup (2002, 2006, 2010) and a world ranking of 24th at its peak. This visibility fuels a genuine enthusiasm for the sport:
– professional clubs (Al Riyadi, Sagesse, Hoops, etc.),
– private academies like Hoops Club (founded in 2001) or Never Too Late,
– courts in schools and universities.
For urban youth, basketball is often more accessible than high-level football. Indeed, all you need is a simple concrete court and a ball to play. Many municipalities and schools have basketball hoops, even in peripheral areas, making the sport easy to access.
Hoops, Champs, and the Galaxy of Private Academies
Hoops Club is a good example of the Lebanese basketball economic model: a mixed structure combining court rental, a youth basketball school, a gym, and corporate sponsorship. Meanwhile, the Champs complex, spearheaded by Fadi el-Khatib and Nader al-Jaber, is designed as a large private multi-sport center spanning 20,000 m², focused on basketball and fitness, with a strong marketing dimension (partnership with the Aishti brand for uniforms).
These projects confirm the rise of a sports industry targeting middle and upper classes willing to pay for memberships, while lower-income groups rely more on charitable or international initiatives for access.
Women’s Basketball: Passion, Obstacles, and the Double Day
Women’s basketball is progressing, but in a highly unequal environment. National team captain Rebecca Akl says she has been told that “basketball is a man’s sport” and that it would harm her femininity or career. In practice, nearly all female players must juggle a full-time job, sometimes motherhood, and demanding training schedules.
Budgets for women’s teams are much lower than those for men, salaries are lower too, and competitions receive less media visibility. Yet the performances are there: the women’s national team has climbed among the best in Asia, and many players are launching academies to train the next generation.
Mountain Sports: Hiking, Skiing, Climbing, Caving
Lebanon offers a rare particularity: you can ski in the morning and swim in the Mediterranean in the afternoon, especially in spring. The mountains of the Mount Lebanon range, valleys like Qadisha, cedar reserves, and high plateaus have sparked an explosion in outdoor sports in recent years.
Hiking: The Weekend Craze
Hiking has become the favorite activity for many Lebanese. The Lebanon Mountain Trail (LMT), a 470 km continuous trail from north to south, passes through 75 villages, a UNESCO World Heritage valley (Qadisha), two biosphere reserves, and over 100 heritage sites. Around this route, dozens of clubs and agencies have emerged.
Among them are:
– Lebanese Outdoor Adventure (LOA),
– Wild Explorers Lebanon,
– Vamos Todos,
– Sport Nature,
– EcoVillage Chouf,
– 33 North, TLB Destinations, etc.
These organizations run regular activities combining walking, culture, and gastronomy, offering an accessible escape from urban stress.
Hikes organized every week, allowing regular and social practice.
Cultural visits, wine tastings, or meals at guesthouses complement the outings.
A nature break away from city stress, with deliberately controlled costs for young people.
Skiing and Winter Sports: Six Resorts for All Levels
Six ski resorts operate each winter: Les Cèdres, Faraya–Mzaar, Faqra, Zaarour, Qanat Bakish, Laqlouq. Faraya is the most modern and best equipped, Faqra one of the first private resorts in the world. Together, these resorts have 46 ski lifts and about 80 km of slopes in the Mzaar domain alone.
The resorts offer:
– alpine skiing,
– snowboarding,
– cross-country skiing,
– snowshoeing,
– snowmobiling (skidoo),
– sometimes summer activities (pools, mountain biking, zip lines).
The proximity to major cities allows Lebanese to go skiing for the day. But the cost (lift pass, equipment rental, transportation) makes it a sport mostly reserved for affluent classes, especially in the context of the monetary crisis.
Climbing and Caving: An Underrated Playground
Climbing has seen rapid development thanks to sites like Tannourine el Tahta (over 150 routes across about fifteen sectors), Aqoura, Laqlouq, Beit Mery, Amchit, and Beit Chlela. Several indoor climbing gyms have also opened (Bold Climbing, Sheer Climbing House, U ROCK, etc.).
The country has over 400 caves and sinkholes, some reaching 600 meters deep. The most famous, Jeita Grotto, is mainly tourist-oriented, but specialized associations (Spéléo Club du Liban, Association Libanaise d’Études Spéléologiques) are developing sport caving in many massifs.
These activities remain fairly elitist: they require supervision, specific equipment, and travel to the sites, limiting their reach beyond a dedicated audience.
Water Sports: Diving, Surfing, Rafting, Sailing, and More
With its Mediterranean coastline and mountain rivers, Lebanon is particularly well-suited for water sports. From diving to rafting, including surfing and sailing, the offering is incredibly diverse.
Diving and Snorkeling Along the Coast
Between Beirut and Tripoli, from Jounieh to Batroun and beyond to Sidon and Tyre, scuba diving is highly developed. Several centers offer introductory dives, training, and exploration of wrecks or rocky seabeds:
– ATCL Scuba Diving,
– Abyss Diving Club,
– Narcosis Diving Facility,
– Deep Sea Diving Center,
– Tyre Free Diver,
– Xtreme Dive Center, among others.
The waters around Tyre harbor submerged ancient ruins, allowing diving that combines underwater exploration and archaeology. Snorkeling, meanwhile, is much more accessible and can be practiced on most rocky beaches in the region.
Surfing, Kitesurfing, and Board Sports
Recognized in 2014 by the International Surfing Association, Lebanon has made a name for itself in the world of waves. The best-known spots are in Batroun, Kfarabida, Byblos, Jiyeh, and Damour. Clubs like Surf Lebanon, Sun and Surf, Board’n’Surf, or Lebanon by Kite offer rentals, lessons, and trips.
Wave conditions do not rival major global spots, but the proximity to Beirut and the friendly atmosphere have created a small but very active community of enthusiasts.
Rafting, Kayaking, and Canyoning on the Rivers
The mountain rivers, particularly the Orontes (Assi) in northern Bekaa and the Litani, have become popular playgrounds for rafting, kayaking, and canyoning. Clubs like Blue River, Crazy Rafting, Wild Water Rafting, or Lebanon Rafting organize trips in spring and summer.
These activities attract:
– groups of young people,
– families,
– corporate teams for team-building days.
They complement the offering of camping, hiking, and local gastronomy along the rivers.
Sailing, Water Skiing, and Jet Skiing
On the sea side, the range is wide: sailing (Halat Sailing Club), yachting, water skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing. Private nautical clubs around Jounieh, Byblos, Batroun, or Damour offer complete facilities: launching, rentals, training, and dining.
These sports remain more expensive and thus reserved for a minority. For the general public, swimming is the basic activity, practiced on public beaches or in municipal pools when they exist.
Gyms and Fitness: A Booming Industry
Beyond traditional sports, Lebanon has seen a boom in the fitness sector. In 2016, the health and fitness club industry already generated around $122 million in revenue. Even after the crisis, the number of gyms continues to increase, with over 20 new openings in a single year in the North and Beirut alone.
A Dense but Unevenly Regulated Network
Gyms offer: a variety of physical activities, group classes, strength training sessions, modern equipment, personal training programs, nutritional advice, relaxation areas, sports events, flexible memberships, and professional supervision.
– strength and cardio training,
– group classes (zumba, yoga, aerobics, Pilates),
– sometimes pools, saunas, hammams.
A study of Lebanese gyms (North, Mount Lebanon, Beirut, South) showed that about 79% claim to follow international safety standards (ISO-97.220). Most have:
Over 85% of sports facilities have good ventilation and lighting.
However, there is no law mandating compliance with these standards, nor any mandatory accreditation system. About 13% of gyms follow no standards at all, and 8% rely solely on the owner’s experience.
Table – Safety and Management in Lebanese Gyms (studied sample)
| Aspect evaluated | % of gyms concerned |
|---|---|
| Use international standards | 78.67% |
| Have a written emergency policy | 60% |
| Conduct safety inspections | 66.67% |
| Preventive maintenance program | 84% |
| System for removing defective equipment | 92% |
| Separate physical activity from storage/maintenance | ~100% |
| Good level of ventilation and light | > 85% |
The Weak Link: Emergency Equipment
The study reveals a major shortcoming: the presence of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Fewer than 15% of gyms have one, and about 17% have ordered one. About 68% do not have one and rely on the Lebanese Red Cross in an emergency, citing the cost of the device and training.
Even among equipped gyms, 76% offer no annual refresher session on AED use. In a country where health infrastructure is sometimes far away (on average 16.8 minutes walking to reach a hospital in Beirut), this gap is far from trivial.
Public health context in Lebanon
Often Modern, Rarely “Green”
The majority of gyms have recent equipment, calibrated sound systems (about 59% keep volume between 70 and 90 decibels), and pleasant layouts. But 72% follow no “green design” approach, considering such features too costly or ill-suited to the local context.
Over 45% do not even have “Exit” signs, often arguing there is only one access point. A few gyms, about 7%, are located in basements and suffer from poor ventilation.
The result: a dynamic industry, capable of generating jobs and promoting health, but relying almost exclusively on private initiative and choices often driven by immediate profitability rather than public health policies.
Grassroots Organizations: Sport, Peace, and Social Cohesion
According to one estimate, over 15,000 people in Lebanon make a living from sports: coaches, club managers, gym operators, referees, fitness trainers, etc. But behind these visible players, a dense network of NGOs and programs uses sport as a tool for social cohesion, inclusion, and psychological support.
The Role of “Sport for Peace” Programs
Organizations like ANERA (via the “Sports For Peace” project), GAME Lebanon, Right to Play, JRS, Alsama Project, PACES, as well as clubs like Hoops and SportsVille, run regular activities:
– weekly sessions for children and adolescents,
– mixed tournaments Lebanese–Syrian–Palestinian,
– conflict resolution workshops,
– nature outings, sports camps.
One ANERA project reached over 1,700 young people aged 7 to 17 through football clubs in 25 localities, with sessions based on “football3” (rules centered on fair play, inclusion, and dialogue). Training workshops were organized for 24 coaches on conflict management.
Eight out of ten children say they made at least two new friends through these programs.
Figures That Show the Scale of the Movement
Several indicators give an idea of the scope of these initiatives:
– over 15,000 people make a living from sports in Lebanon,
– more than 100 local organizations partnered with ANERA’s sports program,
– 650 participants in a single women’s sports program in one year,
– a project aiming to train 185 facilitators (90 coaches, 95 youth leaders) and involve 4,500 boys and girls in regular activities, plus 2,400 in tournaments.
These programs operate particularly in fragile areas: Bekaa (Al Masnaa, Majdal Anjar, Bar Elias), Palestinian camps of Beddawi and Nahr el-Bared, peripheral neighborhoods of Beirut, villages in the South. They offer alternatives to community tensions, idleness, and the risk of violence.
GAME Lebanon: Street Sport as an Urban Tool
GAME, an international organization specializing in street sports, is active in Lebanon. Its goal: make street sports accessible to all and strengthen neighborhood cohesion. GAME creates “GAME Zones” and “GAME Houses,” rehabilitating existing buildings with a sustainable approach (material reuse, integration into industrial architecture, reduced construction costs).
A tender (tender 2024002) was launched for the construction of a GAME House in Beirut. Applications, in US dollars and by phases, must be submitted to the GAME Lebanon office in Karantina. The project aims to create a free practice space (street basketball, street football, urban dance, etc.) and not just a gym, involving local communities in its design.
In a country where access to formal facilities is highly unequal, these open, free or low-cost spaces can play a key role for adolescents, especially in underserved neighborhoods.
Women and Sport: Between Historic Breakthroughs and Glaring Inequalities
While social norms still heavily weigh on women’s sports participation in Lebanon, several disciplines are undergoing a significant shift: women’s football, athletics, weightlifting, team sports.
Pioneers Breaking the Mold
Several Lebanese female athletes have made their mark on the regional or world stage:
– Ray Bassil (trap shooting), first Arab woman to participate in two Olympic Games, three-time consecutive medalist in the ISSF World Cup, goodwill ambassador for youth and gender at UNDP,
– Mahassen Hala Fattouh (weightlifting), first Lebanese weightlifter to qualify for the Olympics, multiple Arab and Mediterranean medalist,
– Gabriella Douaihy (swimming), present in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021,
– Aziza Sbaity (sprinting), Arab champion in the 200m and vice-champion in the 100m in 2023, on track for the Paris Games.
These journeys were not without obstacles: sexist remarks, mockery, lack of financial support, social pressure to marry or pursue a “real” career. Sbaity, for example, recounts suffering racist insults in her childhood before finding in athletics a way to build her confidence.
Women’s Football: From Marginality to Asian Hopes
Women’s football in Lebanon officially began in 2005 with the creation of a dedicated committee within the Federation. The women’s league was launched in 2008, initially dominated by Sadaka (seven consecutive titles, then dissolved in 2014), followed by Stars Association for Sports (SAS), which has won seven of the last ten championships.
In 2019, the Federation implemented a national plan specifically for the U15, U17, and U19 leagues and national teams. This strategic initiative quickly yielded positive results.
– victory in the U17 Arab Cup in 2015,
– WAFF U18 titles in 2019 and 2022,
– WAFF U17 titles in 2019, 2023, and 2025,
– historic qualification of the U17 team for the 2026 Asian Cup.
At club level, Safa won the WAFF Women’s Clubs Championship in 2022, the first international crown for a Lebanese women’s team.
Yet on the ground, daily reality remains harsh: meager budgets, a league operating without fixed salaries for players, training often relegated to late slots (9–10 PM) while men’s teams occupy late afternoon hours, no policy against the wage gap.
A recent SWOT analysis of Lebanese women’s football highlights:
– strengths: committed players, existing league structure, positive image of equality,
– weaknesses: ridiculously low funding, shared infrastructure, lack of national strategy,
– opportunities: partnerships with UEFA and NGOs like ABAAD, growing media interest, progress of the national team,
– threats: budget cuts, rise of other leisure activities, cultural resistance, political instability.
Female Participation: Hindered but Growing
More broadly, girls’ participation remains limited by:
– cultural norms regarding “reputation” and femininity,
– safety concerns for travel,
– lack of safe mixed-gender facilities,
– absence of equality policies in sports.
But scientific studies show that intrinsic motivations (pleasure, achievement) are central for both women and men, and that many Lebanese women exercise to feel fit, improve their appearance, and maintain their health. Women’s academies, teams like Super Girls, or specific sections in major clubs are beginning to overturn the image of sport as “reserved for men.”
Accessibility and Urban Planning: Being Able to Walk to the Field
An often overlooked element in discussions about sports in Lebanon is the physical accessibility of facilities. A study conducted in Beirut measured walking time to schools or hospitals. Result: on average, 6.79 minutes to reach a school, but 16.8 minutes to a hospital, with entire neighborhoods (Zoukak el-Blatt, Saifeh, Bachoura, Marfaa) where no resident is within a 10-minute walk of a hospital.
Proximity to sports infrastructure (field, club, gym, playground) within a 10-minute walk is a key factor in increasing physical activity and reducing childhood obesity, as shown by international studies. In Lebanon, although data are incomplete, reports from 2018 and 2022 confirm that the majority of children do not get enough physical activity.
Other standards, such as accessibility guidelines for sports facilities (inspired by the American ADA or more recent guides on inclusive equipment), remind us that:
– accessible routes must connect all activity areas,
– a percentage of locker rooms and lockers must be adapted,
– stands and player areas must include wheelchair spaces,
– ramps should be preferred over lifting platforms.
In a country where no law requires clubs or gyms to meet these standards, accessibility relies once again on goodwill or international funding.
Why Invest in Sports in Lebanon?
Beyond passion and individual achievements, the development of sports participation in Lebanon raises a political and economic question. Several international studies show that:
– communities with more accessible sports facilities have significantly lower obesity rates,
– increased physical activity reduces chronic diseases and, in the long run, healthcare costs,
– sports create direct jobs (coaches, managers, technicians, equipment sellers) and indirect ones (hospitality, catering, transportation, construction),
– organizing events (regional tournaments, marathons, championships) stimulates tourism and the local economy.
Over $65 billion has been invested by Gulf countries in sports infrastructure.
Lebanon, for its part, has neither the same means nor the same strategy, but possesses unique assets:
The main factors contributing to the vitality and sporting prominence of this region.
A climate allowing summer and winter sports within a small territory.
A youth very passionate about sports, driving the local sports dynamic.
A sports-influential diaspora, contributing to prestige and international networks.
A strong tradition of hosting major regional events (AFC Asian Cup 2000, Francophonie Games 2009, various continental competitions).
To turn this energy into real public policy, we would need to:
– precisely map existing facilities and needs,
– target underserved neighborhoods and regions (Bekaa, North, rural areas),
– encourage public-private partnerships for the construction and management of infrastructure,
– integrate sports into urban planning (parks, bike lanes, local fields),
– guarantee minimum safety and accessibility standards,
– specifically support women’s and children’s sports participation.
Conclusion: A Country Where Sports Are Built from the Ground Up
The popular sports to practice in Lebanon are not limited to football and basketball, even if these two disciplines remain central. Hiking, skiing, water sports, fitness, combat sports, rugby, tennis, traditional sports: the palette is vast, driven by the country’s geography and the inventiveness of its people.
The sports momentum in France comes primarily from local actors (clubs, NGOs, associations, individual initiatives). Although large facilities and success stories exist, a strategic national vision is lacking that would value sport as a structuring investment for health, the economy, social cohesion, and gender equality.
In the meantime, every neighborhood gym, every improvised football pitch, every group of hikers, every basketball or martial arts club continues to play a decisive role: offering the Lebanese, despite everything, a space for play, freedom, and the future.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. We encourage you to consult qualified experts before making any investment, real estate, or expatriation decisions. Although we strive to maintain up-to-date and accurate information, we do not guarantee the completeness, accuracy, or timeliness of the proposed content. As investment and expatriation involve risks, we disclaim any liability for potential losses or damages arising from the use of this site. Your use of this site confirms your acceptance of these terms and your understanding of the associated risks.
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.
