Every day, Brussels buzzes with people practicing their favorite sports. There are many clubs and various courses to enroll in. Although the most popular sports in Belgium are cycling and football, in Brussels you can try several other sports like tennis, golf, climbing, and even scuba diving. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced athlete looking for a competitive team to join, here is an overview of the sports activities and facilities Brussels has to offer.
Playing sports in Brussels: what are the options?
Across the country, associations, clubs, and sports facilities tend to be very well organized. This is the result of a highly technical and efficient Belgian bureaucracy.
For football, for example, there is a well-established system that manages leagues with hundreds of teams competing in various locations in Brussels and beyond every weekend.
If you don't know where to start and if you're new to Brussels, you can contact two sports organizations to find courses, facilities, or teams in your area. For French speakers, there's ADEPS. It manages three sports centers in Brussels (and 18 in total in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation) and offers a searchable database. On the Dutch-speaking side, the VGC provides a database where you can find a wealth of information related to sports in Belgium.
Additionally, the sport.brussels portal centralizes the sports offerings of the capital, in collaboration with the municipalities and various communities.
There you will find information about all the disciplines practiced and the available facilities for skateparks, hockey rinks, athletic tracks, and climbing walls, among others.
The most popular sports in Brussels
Football
Belgium is also renowned worldwide for its talented football players who ply their trade in the top European leagues. The Belgian national team, one of the best in the world, is nicknamed the Red Devils. It is indeed one of the few things that unite Belgians from Brussels, Flanders, and Wallonia, thrilling the entire nation with each match.
As a newcomer to the city, you'll be pleased to know that you can join one of the many men's or women's football teams in Brussels. They are located throughout the capital and are an excellent way to integrate and make new friends in Brussels.
While some teams take things very seriously with regular training sessions, others offer more relaxed practices. You can play all types of football matches imaginable, with indoor leagues, futsal, five-a-side, and mixed teams.
The teams are generally a cheerful mix of nationalities, with Belgians and internationals playing side by side.
For spectators, Brussels has two major professional clubs: RSC Anderlecht, the most titled in the country, and Union Saint-Gilloise, a historic club with a unique atmosphere.
Cycling
Belgians love cycling, and every weekend, you'll see groups of cyclists in bright colors speeding through the Brussels countryside. Although the capital is surprisingly hilly for a flat country, Brussels offers ideal cycling conditions and perfectly marked trails through the woods and fields on the outskirts.
You can choose to venture into nature and explore the surroundings of Brussels at your own pace, or join one of the many cycling clubs that venture out in groups into the Belgian countryside each weekend. These clubs are generally quite friendly, and the proposed routes often include a bar stop about halfway through.
In Brussels City in general, most people only use their bikes to get from one point to another. They prefer to leave the city for real bike rides with panoramic views.
Jogging
Jogging is one of the simplest and most popular ways to stay fit in Brussels. The city's parks are real playgrounds for runners of all levels.
The Parc du Cinquantenaire, with its wide avenues, is one of the most frequented, as is the Parc Royal in the heart of the city. Many also enjoy running in the Bois de la Cambre, a vast green space located south of Brussels, or in the Forêt de Soignes, ideal for long wooded loops.
In the streets of the capital, it's not uncommon to see runners weaving between pedestrians and terraces. The city also hosts several major events, including the 20 km of Brussels, a true institution that attracts tens of thousands of participants each year, and the Brussels Marathon, appreciated for its route through the city's most beautiful neighborhoods.
Fitness
Brussels boasts a large number of gyms, catering to both weightlifting enthusiasts and group class lovers. Most operate with monthly memberships that vary widely in price: basic packages start around €20 per month, like at Basic-Fit (very widespread and popular), while higher-end clubs can reach €80 to €100, offering spa, pool, and personalized coaching.
For those seeking a more premium and lifestyle-oriented environment, studios like Animo (focused on yoga, pilates, and cycling) or The MIX (a modern complex combining fitness, coworking, spa, and dining) are very successful.
In addition to large chains and high-end clubs, the capital has many independent gyms specializing in crossfit, boxing, martial arts, dance, etc. And for those who prefer outdoor training, several parks like Cinquantenaire or Bois de la Cambre have fitness trails and areas equipped with street workout machines.
Swimming
Brussels does not have a large number of public swimming pools, which can make regular practice challenging. Among the main ones accessible to the public are the Bains du Centre, the pool in Laeken, the one in Neder-Over-Heembeek, and the Longchamp pool in Uccle. Other pools exist, but their hours are often limited, sometimes resulting in crowded swimming lanes.
For those seeking more comfort, there are several private alternatives. Many sports clubs (like the Royal La Rasante in Woluwe or the David Lloyd Club in Uccle) offer indoor and outdoor pools, often associated with wellness areas (sauna, hammam, jacuzzi). Some high-end hotels in the capital, such as the Steigenberger Wiltcher's or the Tangla Hotel, also have pools accessible to their guests or via subscription plans.
Numerous private swimming schools offer classes for children and adults, sometimes in facilities rented from municipalities or in pools specifically designed for learning.
Finally, the offer is gradually improving: several renovation projects or new pools are regularly announced to meet the growing demand from residents.
Sports activities for children in Brussels
As already mentioned, Belgium is very well organized in terms of sports. It will therefore be easy for you to find numerous courses and activities for children of all ages. From ballet to football, table tennis, or martial arts, there will always be something for your children near you. Municipalities and local associations regularly offer extracurricular activities, often at affordable rates.
In parallel, many non-profit organizations and private clubs organize training sessions led by qualified instructors. Some international clubs, such as those for hockey or rugby, also gladly welcome expatriate children, with training in French, Dutch, or English.
In the summer, it is customary for parents to enroll their children in a "camp" for a week to take language courses, practice a particular sport, or engage in arts and crafts. These sessions allow your children to make friends from other schools, have fun, and develop their skills together.
Finally, some high-end facilities like Royal La Rasante or David Lloyd also offer youth programs combining sports, games, and activities in a safe and friendly environment.
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