Football in Spain
Updated: Jun 17, 2020
Throughout Spain, there is no doubt that football (or soccer if you're from the U.S.!) is the most popular sport. During the League season, hundreds of thousands of people head to the stadiums on the weekend to cheer for their teams and to enjoy games that are considered among the world's best for its high level competition and quality players.
Football Teams in Spain
With teams beginning to form as early as 1890 in Seville, there is a rich history following football in Spain to say the least! In 1927, a national football league was proposed and the first ten teams were admitted. These first league teams were: Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Athletic Madrid, Real Sociedad, Racing Santander, RCD Español, Arenas Club de Getxo, CE Europa and Real Unión. Since this creation the number of teams has doubled and there have been many great accomplishments for the league, including winning the Spanish National team taking the gold medal at the 1992 Olympics and then the silver medal in 2000. No doubt, Spanish football has become well-recognized internationally.
Football Culture in Spain
In Spain, football is a fiesta that people celebrate both inside and outside the stadium. Whether you're watching the game live or at your favorite bar, there is always someone nearby willing to discuss the highs and lows of a game. In the community surrounding the sport, there is always a reason to celebrate the triumphs. If you're feeling particularly lucky, there is a tote system in which you can gamble on a game's outcome. Between sports newspapers and countless TV minutes dedicated to discussing football, there is never a shortage of league gossip to go around.
With rivals such as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona competing for the top spot in the league, there are games coming up that you simply don't want to miss. Be sure to check out your local listings to see when the next game will be for your favorite team in Spain!