Historic sporting events in Europe worth travelling for

It’s been a massive year for sport in 2026, with both the Winter Olympics and FIFA World Cup held over the past six months.

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Even non-sporting fans are getting in on the sports tourism action, with people travelling to soak up the atmosphere at baseball games in Japan, ice hockey games in Canada and Muay Thai bouts in Thailand.

If you’re planning your next trip and thinking about dipping your toes in the sporting waters, why not combine it with your love of history and culture?

These historic sporting events date back centuries, and offer a fascinating glimpse into the traditions of the countries they are held in.

Palio di Siena, Italy

Held twice a year on 2 July and 16 August since the 17th century, the Palio di Siena horse race takes over Siena’s main square.

The historic city is split into 17 contrade (districts), and jockeys from 10 of these take part – the seven that didn’t participate last time, and three picked at random – with horses completing three laps of the piazza.

If you’re not a fan of horse racing, schedule your visit to Siena for the day after, when residents of the winning contrade parade through the streets of the losing districts wearing outfits in their colours and sporting dummies, which are meant to symbolise rebirth.

Calcio Storico Fiorentino, Italy

Elsewhere in Italy, Florence also has its own competition – Calcio Storico Fiorentino – that splits the city into its four historic wards.

Dating back to the 16th century, the sport combines football, rugby and wrestling, with 50-minute matches held in the dirt-covered square in which teams must score in the opposing team’s net.

Unlike football, there are no substitutions for injuries, of which there have been plenty.

There are two semi-finals held early to mid-June, followed by the final on 24 June, the feast day of St. John the Baptist.

Velká Pardubická Steeplechase, Czechia

The oldest cross-country steeplechase in Europe (and considered to be among the most difficult) has been held in Pardubice annually since 1874.

Taking place on the second Sunday in October, between 15 to 20 horses and jockeys are allowed to attempt the 6,900-metre long track which has 31 obstacles, including the infamous taxis ditch.

The Velká Pardubická Steeplechase lasts between nine and 10 minutes, and there have been years where nobody has reached the finish line.

Concurs de Castells, Tarragona, Spain

Catalonia’s 18th-century human pyramid building tradition, also known as castells, is part of UNESCO’s Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity list.

While there are human tower shows throughout the summer on various feast days, the best known competition is the Concurs de Castells in Tarragona, held every two years.

Teams win points based on the number of levels in each tower as well as the number of people in each storey. The next event is in September, but tickets have already sold out.

Kırkpınar Oil Wrestling Festival, Edirne, Türkiye

Kırkpınar, a Turkish oil wrestling tournament, holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest continuously sanctioned sporting competition, having first been held near Edirne in 1350.

Taking place over three days in late June, matches are won when one of the competitors gets an effective hold of the other’s kisbet, aka leather trousers, which they can demonstrate by picking their opponent up and walking three steps, or by spinning him around.

Bouts last 40 minutes, with additional time coming in at 15 minutes if there is no clear winner.

Federal Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival, Switzerland

ESAF, or the Federal Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival, has been held every three years since 1895.

The competition includes Swiss wrestling, aka Schwingen; Hornussen, where teams attempt to strike a puck as far as possible; and the Swiss stone throwing sport of Steinstossen.

The last competition in 2025 had more than 50,000 spectators in the stands, and the festival prides itself on being the only major event that allows knives and glass bottles in the arena, as toasting and sharing cheese and bread is a key part of the watching experience. In 2028, Thun will be the host.

Sinjska Alka, Croatia

Ever wanted to step back in time? You can do just that at Sinjska Alka, a chivalric tournament that has taken place annually on the first weekend of August since the 18th century.

Included on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the competition sees knights riding horses at full gallop along the main street while aiming their lance at an iron ring hanging on a rope.

The iron ring is split into three, with the smallest ring worth the most points. There are three races, and in its entire history, only a dozen knights have managed to hit the middle ring each time.

Highland Games, Scotland, UK

The Highland Games, which see competitors take on strength sports such as the caber toss, stone put and Scottish hammer throw, have been taking place across Scotland and countries with a large diaspora of Scots since the 19th century.

Events are held throughout spring and summer. The biggest is the Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon, held on the final weekend in August, while the Braemar Gathering, held on the first Saturday in September, is traditionally attended by the British royal family. You can find a full list of events on the Visit Scotland website.