Budapest Leisure
Hungary has a good record of achievement in major sporting competitions, and has to its credit a number of Olympic medals in events including gymnastics, fencing, swimming, water polo and football. Budapest has regularly scheduled major sports and athletics events including football matches at the Puskás Ferenc Stadion, with a capacity of 68,000. Indoor events are held at the nearby and recently built Budapest Arena.
Football
The nation’s most popular spectator sport is football, and Budapest is home to Hungary’s most popular teams. Today, both domestically and internationally, football in Hungary isn’t quite up to its glorious past. Unfortunately, Hungary hasn't had a world class team since the 1950s, when the ‘Golden Team’ (Aranycsapat) dominated the world's football stage.
|
Gatwick Airport Parking Save up to 35% by booking airport parking online. Compare prices at a choice of 11 Gatwick car parks. |
Gatwick Airport Hotels Book from a choice of 23 hotels at Gatwick Airport. Make a booking for room only or room with holiday parking. |
Hungarian Grand Prix (F1)
Every August, the Hungarian Grand Prix is held at the Hungaroring Circuit, just east of Budapest, at Mogyoród. This has been a well managed and very popular event for a number of years. The circuit is narrow and a bit slower than some (such as at San Marino or Monaco), but the pleasant weather and excellent facilities make the Grand Prix well worth attending. Tickets are on the expensive side and can be difficult to obtain. For more information you can visit the official website at: www.hungaroring.hu.
Games
Basketball and handball are popular sports in Budapest and they have enthusiastic supporters. Hungary’s men’s and women’s teams traditionally have strong records in major handball tournaments. Basketball has attracted some sub-NBA players from the US. Somewhat unusually, the country’s strongest teams are not based in Budapest. Details can be on the Hungarian Basketball Federation can be found on their website at: www.hunbasket.hu.
Golf
Golf has recently become a status sport for many of Budapest’s young professionals and the number of courses is on the rise. The country’s best golf course is called Birdland Golf and Country Club, some distance from Budapest. The Pannonia Golf and Country Club is about 25 miles from the city, at Alcsútdoboz. If you’re looking for a driving range during your visit to Budapest, the Petneháza Golf Club is worth consideration. For more information about golfing in Hungary visit: www.hungolf.hu, or www.golfhungary.hu.