Sport in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, people enjoy many different kinds of sports. Both team sports and individual sports are popular there. Even though Luxembourg is a small country, many people join sports groups to stay active and have fun together.

Individual sports

Athletics

Luxembourg has many athletics clubs in its main towns. The largest is CAL Spora Luxembourg, with around 400 members. These clubs are linked to the Luxembourg Athletics Federation and the Luxembourg Triathlon Federation, which manage athletics and triathlon.

Luxembourg’s only Olympic gold medalist was an athlete. Josy Barthel won the men’s 1500 metres at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. Recently, Patrizia van der Weken won bronze medals in the 60 metres at big competitions.

Cycling

Cycling is very popular in Luxembourg and the country has had great success in this sport. The flat landscape is perfect for cycling, and the Tour de Luxembourg happens every year before the Tour de France.

Famous Luxembourgish cyclists include Nicolas Frantz, Charly Gaul, François Faber, Andy Schleck, and Benoît Joachim. Some of them have won the Tour de France. Today, there are three Luxembourgish cyclists on the top international circuit, including Bob Jungels, Kevin Geniets, and Alex Kirsch.

Among women cyclists, Elsy Jacobs was the first ever women’s road racing world champion. Other notable riders include Christine Majerus and Marie Schreiber. The Hess Cycling Team, a women’s team, registered in Luxembourg in 2023.

Tennis

Tennis is enjoyed by many people in Luxembourg, just like in other parts of western Europe. There are 53 tennis clubs, with the oldest one, TC Diekirch, started in 1902. The sport is managed by the Luxembourg Tennis Federation. Each year, the Fortis Championships Luxembourg are held, which is an important tournament.

Luxembourg hasn’t had much success in professional tennis, but Gilles Müller, the country’s best men’s player, reached the quarter-finals in big tournaments. Some women players have also done well internationally. The country’s teams take part in international competitions.

Team sports

Cricket

Main article: Cricket in Luxembourg

Cricket is not a very popular sport in Luxembourg. It is mostly played by people from the British community living near Luxembourg City. Only a few local Luxembourgers play cricket. The Luxembourg Cricket Federation helps teach and grow the sport.

The main cricket club is the Optimists Cricket Club. They play in a league in Belgium and have won it three times. They also help organize cricket in Luxembourg.

Football (soccer)

Main article: Football in Luxembourg

Football is the most popular sport in Luxembourg. The top league is called the National Division and started in 1909. The men’s national team played their first game in 1911, and the women’s team in 2006.

Football is most popular in the south, especially around Luxembourg City. Jeunesse Esch used to be the best team, winning the league many times. Now, F91 Dudelange is the strongest team, winning many times and playing in a big European competition.

Rugby union

See also: Rugby union in Luxembourg

Rugby union is becoming more popular in Luxembourg. Many more people are playing now. Clubs like Rugby Club Luxembourg and Walferdange Rugby do well in competitions.

The Luxembourg men’s rugby team is doing very well. They hope to move up even higher. Young rugby players also do well in European competitions.

Hockey

Hockey in Luxembourg

Hockey is growing in Luxembourg, especially around Luxembourg City. More people are playing because it is becoming popular in nearby countries.

Luxembourg Hockey Federation

The Luxembourg Hockey Federation helps grow the sport of hockey in the country. They organize teams and help hockey players of all ages.

Luxembourg Hockey Club

Right now, Luxembourg Hockey Club is the only hockey club in Luxembourg. It started in 1976. The club’s young players compete in Belgium and work with clubs nearby to develop their skills.

Olympic Games

Main article: Luxembourg at the Olympics

Luxembourg joined the Summer Olympic Games in 1900 and has been in twenty-one Games, including every one since 1936. Luxembourg has only won two medals.

• Joseph Alzin won a silver medal in weightlifting at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp.
• Josy Barthel won a gold medal in the 1500 m race at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.

A runner named Michel Théato won a gold medal in the marathon at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, but he was thought to be French at the time.

Luxembourg has not been as active in the Winter Olympic Games. The country has only been in seven Winter Olympics and has won two medals, both by Marc Girardelli, an alpine skier born in Austria. He won silver medals at the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Sports venues

The Stade de Luxembourg in Gasperich, southern Luxembourg City, is the country's national stadium and largest sports venue. It can hold many people for sports like football and rugby.

The largest indoor venue is d'Coque in Kirchberg, north-eastern Luxembourg City. It has space for people and is used for basketball, handball, gymnastics, and volleyball.