View source for Sport in Catalonia

{{Short description|Overview of sports traditions and activities in Catalonia}}
{{Catalan-speaking world|image=[[File:Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys - Barcelona, Spain - Jan 2007.jpg|230px]]|caption=Olympic Stadium Lluís Companys}}

Sport has an important incidence in Catalan life since the beginning of the 20th century. The main sports in [[Catalonia]] are [[association football|football]], [[basketball]], [[handball]], [[rink hockey]], [[tennis]], and [[motorsport]].

One of the main sport events held ever in Catalonia were the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in [[Barcelona]].

==Structure==
Most of the Catalan Sports Federations have a lot of tradition and some of them participated in the foundation of  International Sports Federations, as the Catalan Federation of Rugby, that was one of the founder members of the [[FIRA – Association of European Rugby|Fédération Internationale de Rugby Amateur]] (FIRA) in 1934.<ref name="fira-aer-rugby.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/article_detail.php?article=33|title = FIRA-AER - Rugby Europe}}</ref>

Catalonia has officially recognised national teams in some sports competing in world and European championships as Catalonia, but in most sports [[:Category:sportspeople from Catalonia|Catalan sportspeople]] compete within Spanish national teams. The presence of Catalan national teams at international level has often met with opposition from the Spanish State, as happened in 2004 to [[Catalonia national roller hockey team|roller hockey]], known as the [[Fresno Case]] (see ''Rink hockey'' section below).

The best Catalan teams use to participate in European competitions.

==Main sports==

===Football===
{{main|Football in Catalonia}}
[[Image:Camp Nou més que un club.jpg|thumb|230px|FC Barcelona stadium]]

Football is considered the most important sport in Catalonia and was introduced in the late 19th century by a combination of British immigrant workers, visiting sailors and students returning from Britain.

Catalonia also began to produce a number of football clubs including [[Palamós CF|''Palamós Foot-Ball Club'']] founded in 1898  and ''[[Català FC]]''  and [[FC Barcelona|''Foot-Ball Club Barcelona'']], both founded in 1899.<ref name=Gisbert>{{cite web |url=http://tikitaka-futbol.blogspot.com.es/2011/09/history-of-spanish-football-i-origins.html/ |title=Total Football: History of Spanish football (I): The Origins |author=Juan A. Gisbert |publisher=tikitaka-futbol |access-date=30 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220192640/http://tikitaka-futbol.blogspot.com.es/2011/09/history-of-spanish-football-i-origins.html |archive-date=20 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Soon there were enough clubs to organize a league and in December 1900, Alfonso Macaya, the president of [[Hispania Athletic Club|Hispania AC]], offered a trophy, [[Copa Macaya]], that eventually evolved into the [[Catalan football championship|Catalonia championships]] that were played until 1940, when they were disbanded during Franco's dictatorship.<ref name=Gisbert/>

Today, football in Catalonia is organized by the [[Catalan Football Federation|Catalonia Football Federation]], founded in 1903, and teams from Catalonia compete in [[La Liga]], the [[Copa del Rey]], the [[Copa Catalunya]] and several European competitions as the [[UEFA Champions League]] and the [[UEFA Europa League]].

The biggest clubs are [[FC Barcelona]], which has won 5 [[UEFA Champions League|European Champions leagues]], 4 [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]s, and [[RCD Espanyol]], which has been twice runner-up of the [[UEFA Cup]]. Both play in [[La Liga]].

The [[Catalonia national football team|Catalonia national team]]'s first match was in 1912 in Paris, against [[France national football team|France]]. In the recent years they have played with [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]], [[Basque Country national football team|Basque Country]] and [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]].
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===Basketball===
Basketball was played for the first time in Catalonia in 1913, in the school Vallparadís of [[Terrassa]], encouraged by Alexandre Galí and Artur Martorell. After the First World War the Frenchman Emile Tiberghien incorporated the basketball in his gym in Barcelona. Despite these early experiences, it is commonly accepted that basketball was introduced in Catalonia in 1922 by Father Eusebi Millan when organized the first team in the School "Escoles Pies de St. Anton" in Barcelona.

That year, 1922, was born the first club in Catalonia, the Basketball-Ball Laietà Club (now Club Esportiu Laietà). In those days, basketball was developed mainly through the educational centers and associations of popular and Catholic character. The first game is played in the field of [[CE Europa]] on 8 December 1922, with a final scoreboard: Europa 8-Laietà 2.

[[Image:Akasvayu.JPG|thumb|right|230px|Former CB Girona]]
On 15 April 1923 began the first Catalan Basketball Championship that was played until 1957 (except the period of the Civil War). It was undoubtedly the most important competition held in Catalonia before the birth of the [[Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto|Spanish league]].

Since 1980 the Catalan Basketball Federation organizes a new [[Catalan basketball league]], played by the best Catalan teams of the [[Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto|ACB league]].

[[FC Barcelona Bàsquet]] (2 [[Euroleague Basketball|Euroleagues]]) and [[Joventut Badalona]] (1 [[Euroleague Basketball|Euroleague]]) are the most successful [[:Category:Catalan basketball teams|Catalan basketball teams]]. 
Some [[:Category:Basketball players from Catalonia|Catalan players]] are or have been playing in the [[National Basketball Association|NBA]], as [[Pau Gasol]], [[Raül López (basketball)|Raúl López]], [[Juan Carlos Navarro (basketball)|Juan Carlos Navarro]], [[Marc Gasol]] and [[Ricky Rubio]].
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===Handball===
In 1941 were played the first handball matches in Catalonia and one year later was founded a Handball Federation in Catalonia. Then handball was developed over Catalonia, increasing the number of teams every year, being 80 clubs in 1958. [[Barcelona]] held the first European Clubs Cup in 1958, a competition ideated by the French Federation.

For the decades of 40's and 50's some handball competitions were held with 11 players, like the Catalonia Championships. 
But finally the 7 players game was the one that continued.

[[Image:FC Barcelona Handbol 03.jpg|thumb|right|230px|FC Barcelona]]
During the 80's and 90's decades the Catalan Federation organized the [[Lliga Catalana d'handbol|Catalan league]], played by the best Catalan clubs. In 1997 was replaced by the [[Pyrenean handball league|Pirenees league]] adding teams from the south of France and the  coorganization of the Ligue Languedoc Roussillon. FC Barcelona is the team that has won more times both competitions.

[[FC Barcelona Handbol|FC Barcelona]] is one of the best clubs of Europe, with 8 [[EHF Champions League]]s, 5 [[EHF Cup Winners' Cup]]s, 18 [[Liga ASOBAL]], 12 [[Lliga Catalana d'handbol|Catalan Leagues]], 12 [[Pyrenean handball league|Pirenees leagues]], and several more cups. [[BM Granollers]] is the other historical Catalan handball club that plays in the [[Liga ASOBAL]].

[[Enric Masip]] is one of the best Catalan players ever, with 6 [[EHF Champions League]]s, 2 [[EHF Cup Winners' Cup]]s and 7 [[Liga ASOBAL|ASOBAL leagues]].

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===Rink hockey===
The first [[rink hockey]] match played in Catalonia was in 1915 with the Indian Hoquei Club and the Sport Hoquei Club, but it were only the preliminaries. In 1925 some matches were played regularly and in 1928 was founded the Catalan Federation. The first Catalonia's Championship was played in 1930 and began a full developing for the sport around Catalonia.

[[File:Tecnol Reus Deportiu guanya la Copa Continental - 2010.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Reus Deportiu]]
The most successful teams are [[FC Barcelona Hoquei|FC Barcelona]], with 19 [[CERH European League|European League Championships]], [[Reus Deportiu]] with 7 and [[Igualada HC]] with 6. They play in the [[OK Liga]].

In the [[1992 Summer Olympics]], held in [[Barcelona]], [[Roller hockey]] was one of three [[demonstration sport]]s included in the [[Roller hockey at the 1992 Summer Olympics|official Olympic programme]]. This sport's widespread popularity and the existence of top-level competitive teams in Catalonia (such as [[FC Barcelona Hoquei|FC Barcelona]] and [[Reus Deportiu]]) prompted the Organizing Committee to suggest its inclusion in the Olympic programme.

In 2004 the Federació Catalana de Patinatge was admitted by the [[Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports|International Roller Sports Federation]] (FIRS) as a provisional member, and as such it took part in the [[2004 Rink Hockey Men's B World Championship|2004 Rink Hockey World Championship B]] in Macau. [[Catalonia men's national roller hockey team|Catalonia national team]] won all its matches and was crowned as [[Rink Hockey World Championship#Championship B|2004 B's World Champions]]<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.3cat24.cat/noticia/77522/altres/La-seleccio-catalana-campiona-del-Mundial-B-dhoquei-patins| title=La selecció catalana, campiona del Mundial B d'hoquei patins| publisher=3cat24|date=24 October 2004|language=ca}}</ref> and gained the right to be in the [[2005 Rink Hockey World Championship]]. But in the following FIRS congress, in Fresno, the official recognition was revoked because of the opposition of the Spanish federation, in an assembly full of irregularities as the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] (CAS) ruled.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.esportiu.cat/2005/07/16/el-tas-dona-la-rao-a-catalunya-davant-la-firs/| title=El Tas dona la raó a Catalunya davant la FIRS| publisher=Esportiu digital| date=16 July 2005|language=ca}}</ref> in the case known as the [[Fresno Case]]. A new assembly was thus held in Rome, as the CAS verdict had decided, and Catalonia's application was rejected again. Because of this decision, Catalonia could not participate in the 2005 World Championship,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.inf.fh-dortmund.de/rollhockey/forms/CIRHC4_20_02_05WCH_A_English.pdf| title=CIRHC4_20_02_05WCH_A_English| publisher=CIRH}}</ref> that finally was won by Spain, with a team composed by all the players from Catalonia.

Since 2004, Catalonia national teams have competed in the [[Golden Cup|Blanes Golden Cup]] with other national teams, winning the trophy six times by the men's team<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.324.cat/noticia/1252266/poliesportiu/Catalunya-guanya-la-Golden-Cup-dhoquei-patins-imposant-se-a-la-seleccio-mundial-als-penals| title=Catalunya guanya la Golden Cup d'hoquei patins imposant-se a la selecció mundial als penals| publisher=Catalan Television| date=19 June 2011|language=ca}}</ref> and three times by the ladies team.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.elquiosc.cat/Quiosc.php?do=mostrarPDF&pagina_id=92689| title=Golejada i titol per a Catalunya| publisher=[[El 9 esportiu]]|date=4 June 2007|language=ca}}</ref>

In 2006 the Catalan roller skating Federation was admitted to the [[South American Rink Hockey Confederation]] and nowadays plays in the [[Rink Hockey American Championship|South American Championship]]s.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://paper.avui.cat/article/esports/40696/ok/internacional.html| title=La via sud-americana| publisher=[[Avui]]| date=7 December 2006| language=ca| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002083953/http://paper.avui.cat/article/esports/40696/ok/internacional.html| archive-date=2 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.3cat24.cat/noticia/161381/altres/Catalunya-podra-competir-en-tornejos-oficials-de-la-Confederacio-Sud-americana-de-patinatge| title=Catalunya podrà competir en tornejos oficials de la Confederació Sud-americana de patinatge| publisher=3cat24.cat|language=ca}}</ref> In 2010, the Catalonia men's team won the Copa América,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vilaweb.cat/noticia/3748171/20100627/catalunya-guanya-copa-america-dhoquei-patins.html| title=Catalunya guanya la Copa Amèrica d'hoquei patins| publisher=[[Vilaweb]]| date=27 June 2010|language=ca}}</ref> and in 2011 the [[Catalonia women's national roller hockey team|women's national team]] won also the competition.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.esport3.cat/noticia/1461686/poliesportiu/La-seleccio-femenina-de-Catalunya-dhoquei-patins-femeni-guanya-la-Copa-America| title=La selecció femenina de Catalunya d'hoquei patins femení guanya la Copa Amèrica| date=13 November 2011| publisher=[[Esport3]]|language=ca}}</ref>

===Motorsport===
[[Image:F1 Circuit de Catalunya - Tribuna.jpg|thumb|230px|Catalonia Circuit]]

Motorsport has a long tradition in Catalonia involving many people, with some world champions and several competitions organized since the beginning of the 20th century. The [[Circuit de Catalunya]], built in 1991, is one of the main motorsport venues, holding the [[Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix]], the [[Spanish Grand Prix|Spanish F1 Grand Prix]], a [[Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters|DTM race]], and several other races. Also of note is the [[Montjuïc circuit|Montjuïc street circuit]] which regularly hosted the Spanish F1 and motorcycle Grands Prix up to the 1970s.

Motorcycling is one of the historical sports, with [[Grand Prix motorcycle racing|motorcycle road racing]] [[List of Grand Prix motorcycle racing World champions|world champions]] as [[Àlex Crivillé]], [[Sito Pons]], [[Emilio Alzamora]] and [[Dani Pedrosa]]. In addition [[Sete Gibernau]] was one of the top Grand Prix riders in the first half of the 2000s. Also there are many Catalan Motorcycle manufacturers as [[Derbi]], [[Bultaco]], [[Gas Gas]], [[Montesa Honda|Montesa]] and [[Ossa (motorcycle)|OSSA]].

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[[Image:Raga terminando la zona 2007R1.jpg|thumb|230px|Adam Raga, World Champion]]
[[Motorcycle trials]] is also a sport practiced by many Catalans, as the world champions [[Jordi Tarrés (motorcycle racer)|Jordi Tarrés]] (7 times), [[Adam Raga]] (6 times), [[Antoni Bou|Toni Bou]]  (10 times) and [[Laia Sanz Pla-Giribert|Laia Sanz]] (11 times), and many competitions are organized around the country.

Rallies have several Catalan motorcycle champions as [[Nani Roma]] (1 [[Dakar Rally]]), [[Marc Coma]] (
3 Rally Dakar and 3 times rallies cross country world champion), [[Jordi Arcarons]] (4 times runner-up in the Dakar Rally) and recently [[Laia Sanz Pla-Giribert|Laia Sanz]] (First Female Category [[Dakar Rally]] 2011). 
In car rallies, the [[Rally Catalunya]] is one of the races of the [[World Rally Championship]] since 1991. The first edition of Rally Catalunya was in 1957.
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===Tennis===
Tennis began to be practiced in Catalonia in the late 19th century, in cities such as [[Barcelona]] or [[Reus]], by some British people established in Catalonia and members of the Catalan bourgeoisie.

In 1904 was founded the Lawn Tennis Association of Barcelona, who joined as a full member in the Lawn Tennis Association (the international federation in those days). Later, in 1913, it was transformed into Lawn Tennis Association of Catalonia. In 1917 was played the first Catalan Tennis Championship. In all these tournaments, the Barcelona LT was an important organizer.

In 1923 was played the first Indoor World Championship in Barcelona.

Some Catalan players have won [[French Open|Roland Garros]]: [[Sergi Bruguera]] (1993, 1994), [[Albert Costa]] (2002) and [[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]] (1989, 1994, 1998); [[US Open (tennis)|US Open]]: [[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]] (1994), and the [[Tennis Masters Cup|Masters Cup]]: [[Àlex Corretja]] (1998). And also some medals have been won by Catalan tennis players in the Olympic Games: [[Jordi Arrese]], silver in 1992, [[Sergi Bruguera]], silver in 1996, [[Arantxa Sánchez Vicario]], silver in 1996 and silver in 1992 in doubles.

The main tournament is [[Torneo Godó]], held in Barcelona on clay surface.

==Sports with officially recognized Catalonia national team==

===Korfball===
[[Image:SelCatKorf.JPG|thumb|right|230px|Catalonia, European Bowl 2005 champions]]
[[Korfball]] has been played in Catalonia since 1982, and is managed by the Catalan Korfball Federation (FCK).

In 1997 the [[International Korfball Federation]] admitted the Catalan Federation of Korfball as a provisional member, and in 2005 it was granted full membership.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://hemeroteca-paginas.elmundodeportivo.es./EMD02/PUB/2005/10/30/EMD20051030047MDP.pdf|title=Catalunya, reconocida por la FIK|publisher=[[El Mundo Deportivo]]|date=October 30, 2005|language=es}}</ref>

Catalonia's national team has played 4 [[Korfball World Championship|World Championships]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://wkc2007.extrakorfbal.cz/wpen/| title=2007 WC Korfball| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224140121/http://wkc2007.extrakorfbal.cz/wpen/| archive-date=2008-12-24}}</ref> reaching the 4th place in 2011,<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.worldkorfball.org/competitions/62.html| title=2011 World Korfball Championship| publisher=IKF| date=2011| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128105747/http://worldkorfball.org/competitions/62.html| archive-date=2011-11-28}}</ref> 3 [[European Korfball Championship|European Championships]] -with a 5th place in 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.korfball.org/tournaments/188-european-championship/1601-ikf-european-championship-the-final-day|title=IKF European Championship: Netherlands win gold|date= 31 October 2010|publisher=[[International Korfball Federation|IKF]]}}</ref> and a 6th place in 2006-<ref>{{cite web|url=http://korfball.hu/eb2006/en|title=2006 Korfball European Championship}}</ref> and has won the [[2005 Korfball European Bowl]].

The Catalan competition is divided into a "First division" and 2 "Second divisions" with a number of teams such as [[Club Korfbal Vacarisses|C.K. Vacarisses]], C.E. Vilanova i la Geltrú, [[Club Korfball Vallparadís|C.K. Assessoria Vallparadís]], C.K. Cerdanyola, C.K. Badalona – La Rotllana, Sant Llorenç K.C., [[Unió Korfbalera Sant Adrià de Besòs]], [[Korfbal Club Barcelona|K.C. Barcelona]], C.K. Castellbisbal, K.E.C.A., Korfball Valldemia and A.A.E.I.E.S. Secretari Coloma de Barcelona.

[[Club Korfball Vallparadís]] has won 2 [[Korfball Europa Shield|Europa Shields]], in 2009<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.korfball.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1349:catalan-teams-dominate-europa-shield-vallparadis-wins-gold&catid=131:europa-shield&Itemid=47|title=Catalan teams dominate Europa Shield – Vallparadís wins gold| publisher=[[International Korfball Federation]]|date= 1 February 2009}}</ref> and 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title=CK Vallparadis wins 10th edition of the IKF Europa Shield |url=http://www.korfball.org/tournaments/131-ikf-europa-shield/1630-10th-shield-winners|publisher=[[International Korfball Federation]]| date=31 January 2011}}</ref>
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===Pitch and putt===
[[Pitch and putt]] is played in Catalonia since the "1980s" when Martin Withelaw build a course in Solius ([[Santa Cristina d'Aro]], [[Girona]]). The interest on Pitch and putt has been growing since then, with more than 14,000 players in 2008 associated to Catalan Federation of Pitch and Putt (FCPP), and more than 30 courses.

In 1999 the "Associació Catalana de Pitch and putt" was one of the founders of the [[European Pitch and Putt Association]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitch-putt.info//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061215053503/http://www.pitch-putt.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=14|url-status=usurped|archive-date=December 15, 2006|title=EPPA History}}</ref> the governing body that develops pitch and putt in Europe and stages a biennial [[European Pitch and putt Championship|European Team Championships]], which Catalonia won in 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fippa.net/events_etc_2010.shtml|title=Catalonia won the European Team championship for the first time at Lloret Papalus|publisher=[[Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations|FIPPA]]}}</ref> and has reached the second place three times.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.pitch-putt.info//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=17| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070321155536/http://www.pitch-putt.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=17| url-status=usurped| archive-date=March 21, 2007| title=EC History}}</ref>

In 2006 the "Federació Catalana de Pitch and putt" participated in the creation of the [[Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations]] (FIPPA), that stages a [[Pitch and Putt World Cup|World Cup]], that Catalonia has won twice ([[2004 Pitch and Putt World Cup|2004]] and [[2006 Pitch and putt World Cup|2006]])<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fippa.net/worldcup_wc2004news.shtml| title=Catalonia: World Champions|publisher= [[Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations|FIPPA]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fippa.net/worldcup_wc2006news.shtml| title=Catalonia: World Champions again !|publisher= [[Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations|FIPPA]]}}</ref>

===Futsal===
[[File:Catalonia national futsal team.jpg|thumb|230px|Catalonia national futsal team]]
[[Futsal]] in Catalonia is managed by Catalonia Futsal Federation (FCFS) (Federació Catalana de Futbol Sala), affiliated to [[European Union of Futsal]] in 2004<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.uefs.eu/| title=UEFS countries| publisher=UEFS}}</ref> and recognised by the [[Asociación Mundial de Fútbol de Salón|World Futsal association]] (AMF) in 2006.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.amfutsal.com/| title= AMF website| publisher=AMF}}</ref> And it's also managed by [[Catalonia Football Federation]] (FCF) for the teams that play the FIFA game.

Catalonia national futsal teams represent Catalonia in AMF World Cups and UEFS Futsal Championships.

[[Catalonia men's national futsal team|Catalonia men's national team]] has played five times the [[UEFS Futsal Men's Championship|UEFS European Championship]]s, reaching the second place in [[2006 UEFS Futsal Men's Championship|2006]], and twice in [[AMF Futsal World Cup]], in [[2007 AMF Futsal Men's World Cup|2007]] and [[2011 AMF Futsal Men's World Cup|2011]]. Also played in the 2007 AMF World Tournament in [[Sakha Republic|Yakutia]], with the sixth place.

[[Catalonia women's national futsal team|Catalonia women's national team]] were the Champions in the first [[2008 AMF Futsal Women's World Championships|Women's World Championship]], held in [[Reus]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.reus08.cat| title=Reus 2008| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511092551/http://www.reus08.cat/| archive-date=2010-05-11}}</ref> In the European Championships 2004 were the runners-up.

===Bowling===
The Catalan Bowling Federation was admitted by the [[Fédération Internationale des Quilleurs|International Federation of Bowling]] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.fiq.org/news.php?id_noticia=69| title=2007 FIQ Congress: Jessie Phua elected president| publisher=FIQ}}</ref>

In [[ten-pin bowling]] they have played in the [[WTBA World Tenpin Bowling Championships|World]] and European Championships, the [[AMF World Cup]] and the [[Mediterranean Challenge Cup]].

In [[nine-pin bowling]], Catalonia national team played in the 2011 World Championship in Sarajevo.

Catalan skittles ({{langx|ca|Bitlles catalanes}}) are also an ancient Catalan game, early documented in years 1376 and 1402, that consists in knocking down exactly five of the six skittles.

===Rugby league===
[[File:Catalonia national rugby league team 2009.jpg|thumb|240px|Catalonia national rugby league team in 2009]]
[[Rugby league]] in Catalonia is managed by the [[Associació Catalana de Rugby Lliga|Catalan Association of Rugby League]]
The [[Perpignan]]-based club [[Catalans Dragons]], which plays in the [[Super League]], is helping the development of rugby league in southern Catalonia.

The first competition took part in 2008, with 3 teams.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.vilaweb.cat/www/noticia?p_idcmp=2823249| title=El FC Barcelona guanya la primera Copa Catalunya de Rugbi Lliga| publisher=[[Vilaweb]]| date=19 April 2008|language=ca}}</ref> In 2009 the first [[Catalan Rugby League Championship|Catalonia Championship]] was played, with 9 teams.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.esportcatala.cat/cms2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=28:altres-esports&id=908:el-buc-sadjudica-el-campionat-de-catalunya-de-rugby-lliga| title=El BUC s'adjudica el Campionat de Catalunya de rugby lliga| publisher=EsportCatala| date=8 June 2009|language=ca}}</ref>

[[Catalonia national rugby league team|Catalonia national team]] played their first competition in 2009, the [[RLEF Euro Med Challenge]], with [[Morocco national rugby league team|Morocco]]<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.esport3.cat/noticia/393931/poliesportiu/Catalunya-debuta-oficialment-amb-derrota-davant-el-Marroc-en-lEuro-Med-Challenge-de-rugbi-a-XIII-%286-29%29| title=Catalunya debuta oficialment amb derrota davant el Marroc en l'Euro Med Challenge de rugbi a XIII (6-29)| publisher=Esport3| date=5 July 2009| language=ca}}</ref> and [[Belgium national rugby league team|Belgium]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.3cat24.cat/noticia/397252/poliesportiu/Catalunya-sacomiada-de-lEuro-Med-Challenge-en-perdre-contra-Belgica-%2828-22%29| title=Catalunya s'acomiada de l'Euro Med Challenge en perdre contra Bèlgica (28-22)| publisher=3cat24.cat| date=25 July 2009| language=ca}}</ref> as opponents. Before this, they had played two test matches with [[Czech Republic national rugby league team|Czech Republic]] and Morocco. In 2010 they played with [[Czech Republic national rugby league team|Czech Republic]] in Prague.

===Australian rules football===
Australian rules football has been played in Catalonia since 2000 and is organized by the Catalan Australian Football League (LFAC). Catalonia is member of the [[Aussie Rules International]] and [[Aussie Rules Europe]], and has played 4 [[EU Cup|European Cups]] ([[2005 EU Cup Australian rules football|2005]],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.aussierulesuk.com/eucup/| title=2005 EU Cup| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927121143/http://www.aussierulesuk.com/eucup/| archive-date=2007-09-27}}</ref> [[2007 EU Cup Australian rules football|2007]], [[2008 EU Cup Australian rules football|2008]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.australian-football.eu/?show=Results| title= 2008 EU Cup results}}</ref> and [[2010 EU Cup Australian rules football|2010]]).

The LFAC was officially created in 2005 and the first teams joining were Belfry Valls, Cornellà Bocs, Valls Fire and Alt Camp.

In 2009 the Catalan league is played by teams of several territories that speak Catalan language: Belfry Valls, Cornellà Bocs (southern Catalonia), Andorra Crows ([[Andorra]]), and Perpinyà ([[Northern Catalonia]]).

===[[Touch rugby]]===
Catalonia was admitted by the [[Federation of International Touch]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=14-4863-0-0-0&sID=61690&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=9827019&sectionID=61690 | title=FIT Gains new Associate Member | publisher=FIT| date=10 October 2009}}</ref> They played the 2011 [[Touch Football World Cup]] in Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.touchworldcup2011.co.uk/|title= 2011 Touch World Cup}}</ref>

===Darts===
The Catalan Darts Federation was recognised by [[World Darts Federation]] in September 2011,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dartswdf.com/2011/09/28/18th-wdf-general-meeting-–-a-brief-summary/| title=18th WDF General Meeting – A brief summary| date=September 28, 2011| publisher=WDF| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007105450/http://www.dartswdf.com/2011/09/28/18th-wdf-general-meeting-%E2%80%93-a-brief-summary/| archive-date=October 7, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.vilaweb.cat/noticia/3930200/20110920/federacio-catalana-dards-reconeguda-internacionalment.html| title=La Federació Catalana de Dards, reconeguda internacionalment| publisher=VilaWeb| date= 20 September 2011|language=ca}}</ref> playing the 2011 World Cup in Ireland.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.ara.cat/esports/mes_esports/catalunya-admesa-federacio-dards-mundial-irlanda-plataforma-pro-seleccions_0_557944317.html| title=Catalunya és admesa com a selecció per la Federació Mundial de Dards i debuta avui a Irlanda| publisher=Diari Ara| date= 20 September 2011|language=ca}}</ref>

===[[Muggle quidditch|Quidditch]]===
The [[Associació de Quidditch de Catalunya]] was officially recognized as an independent NGB by the [[International Quidditch Association]] in 2015. Their first appearance was in the [[2015 IQA European Games]] held in [[Sarteano]], Italy. They reached seventh place out of twelve teams, beating Team Spain 160*–70.

==Other sports==

===Cycling===
[[File:Velòdrom d'Horta.jpg|thumb|230px|Horta Velodrome]]
In the same way as much of the rest of Europe, cycling was one of the first sports to gain popularity in Catalonia, since the 1880s. The first cycling body was the Club Velocipèdic of Barcelona (1884) followed by the Sport Ciclista Català. In 1893 the Bonanova velodrome was built with a length of 400 meters, considered one of the best in Europe at the time. In 1895 the Reus velodrome and in 1896 the Lleida velodrome were constructed.
		 
In 1897 the Catalan Cycling Union was founded, which governed cycling in Catalonia.

In 1911 the first edition of [[Volta a Catalunya]] was held, making it the third oldest cycling stage race in the world, behind only the [[Tour de France]] (1903) and the [[Giro d'Italia]] (1909).

Other important races in Catalonia are the [[Setmana Catalana de Ciclisme]] (1963) and [[Escalada a Montjuïc]] (1965).

The main velodrome in Catalonia is the [[Velòdrom d'Horta]].

===Rugby union===
[[File:20100214-cat-sue-02.jpg|thumb|230px|Catalonia national rugby union team vs Sweden]]
Rugby union was introduced in Southern Catalonia in 1921, when Baldiri Aleu i Torres founded the [[UE Santboiana|Unió Esportiva Santboiana]]. In 1922 the Catalan Rugby Federation was founded, which was one of the founding members of the Paris-based [[FIRA – Association of European Rugby]],<ref name="fira-aer-rugby.com"/> from which it was expelled at the behest of Franco's fascist regime. It has still to be readmitted.

In Southern Catalonia [[UE Santboiana]], who have won the Spanish championship seven times, and [[FC Barcelona Rugby|FC Barcelona]], are the best Catalan rugby union teams that compete in the  [[División de Honor de Rugby|División de Honor]].

In [[Northern Catalonia]], [[USA Perpignan]] are the best-known Catalan club. They compete in the French [[Top 14]] and also in European competitions.

=== Water sports ===
[[File:Stade Olympique Bercelone 3.jpg|thumb|230px|Bernat Picornell's swimming pool]]
Swimming was introduced in Catalonia by [[Bernat Picornell]], founder of [[Club Natació Barcelona]] in 1907. In 1908 this club organized the first [[Copa Nadal]] swimming race in the Barcelona Harbour and the first [[water polo]] match. Main waterpolo clubs are CN Barcelona (1 [[LEN Euroleague|Euroleague]]), [[Club Natació Catalunya|CN Catalunya]] (1 [[LEN Euroleague|Euroleague]]), [[Club Natació Atlètic Barceloneta|CNA Barceloneta]] and [[Club Natació Sabadell|CN Sabadell]] (1 [[LEN Women's Champions' Cup (Water Polo) 2010–11|LEN Women's Champions' Cup]]).

In [[synchronized swimming]], [[Gemma Mengual]] is the best swimmer, and the best club is CN Kallipolis.

===Field hockey===
In 1907, alumni of the Ateneu Calasanç in [[Terrassa]] began playing field hockey, a sport that already practiced the English people living in Catalonia, and founded the Lawn Hoquei Club Calassanç in 1911. [[Terrassa]] is where traditionally has been practised, with a lot of teams as [[Club Egara|Egara]] (2 [[EuroHockey Club Champions Cup]]), Atlètic de Terrassa (2 [[EuroHockey Club Champions Cup]], RC Polo (1 [[EuroHockey Club Champions Cup]]) and CD Terrassa.

== Major sports facilities ==
[[File:Barcelona Palau San Jordi 001.jpg|thumb|230px|Palau Sant Jordi]]
[[File:OlímpicodeBadalona.jpg|thumb|230px|Pavelló Olímpic de Badalona]]
[[File:Aerea estany de banyoles.png|thumb|230px|Banyoles lake]]
[[File:Piragüismo en la Seo.jpg|thumb|230px|Parc del Segre]]
Catalonia has several of the best sports facilities in the world:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Facility
! Main sports
! City
|-
|[[Camp Nou]] || [[Association football|Football]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys]] || [[Association football|Football]] – [[Athletics (sport)|Athletics]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Estadi Cornellà-El Prat]] || [[Association football|Football]] || [[Cornellà de Llobregat]]/[[El Prat de Llobregat]]
|-
| [[Palau Sant Jordi]] || [[Basketball]] – [[Gymnastics]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Palau Blaugrana]] || [[Basketball]] – [[Team handball|Handball]] – [[Roller hockey]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Velòdrom d'Horta]] || [[Track cycling]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Port Olímpic de Barcelona]] || [[Sailing (sport)|Sailing]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc]] || [[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]] – [[Water polo]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Piscines Bernat Picornell]] || [[Swimming (sport)|Swimming]] – [[Water polo]]|| [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Tennis de la Vall d'Hebron]] || [[Tennis]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
|Facilities of [[Real Club de Tenis Barcelona|RCT Barcelona]] || [[Tennis]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
|Facilities of [[Real Club de Polo de Barcelona|RC Polo Barcelona]] || [[Equestrianism]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Palau de Gel]] || [[Ice hockey]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Camp Olímpic de Tir amb Arc]] || [[Archery]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Camp de Beisbol Pérez de Rozas]] || [[Baseball]] || [[Barcelona]]
|-
| [[Pavelló Olímpic de Badalona]] || [[Basketball]] || [[Badalona]]
|-
| [[Palau D'Esports de Granollers]] || [[Handball]] || [[Granollers]]
|-
| [[Estadi Olímpic de Terrassa]] || [[Field hockey]] || [[Terrassa]]
|-
| [[Circuit de Catalunya]] || [[Motorcycle sport]] – [[Auto racing]]|| [[Montmeló]]
|-
| [[Circuit d'Alcarràs]] || [[Motorcycle sport]] || [[Alcarràs]]
|-
| [[Canal Olímpic de Catalunya]] || [[Canoeing]] || [[Castelldefels]]
|-
| [[Parc Olímpic del Segre]] || [[Canoeing]] || [[La Seu d'Urgell]]
|-
| [[Estany de Banyoles]] || [[Rowing (sport)|Rowing]] || [[Banyoles]]
|-
| [[Camp de Tir Olímpic de Mollet]] || [[Shooting sports]] || [[Mollet del Vallès]]
|-
| [[Club Hípic El Montanyà]] || [[Equestrianism]] || [[Seva, Barcelona|Seva]]
|-
| [[La Molina (ski resort)|La Molina]] || [[Skiing]] || [[Alp, Spain|Alp]]
|}
{{Clear}}

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}

{{Catalonia topics}}
{{Sport in Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sport In Catalonia}}
[[Category:Sport in Catalonia| ]]