Popular sports in Slovenia
Sport in Slovenia is of great importance for health, social cohesion and the visibility of the country. Slovenian athletes are achieving top results, which boosts national pride. Sport encourages young people to lead healthy lives, increases participation and reinforces values, such as discipline and perseverance.
Slovenia's geographical location and diverse climates make it ideal for active leisure and sporting activities throughout the year. You can find more interesting facts about sport in Slovenia at the link below.
Slovenian ski resorts such as Krvavec, Vogel, Kranjska Gora, Rogla and Maribor Pohorje offer excellent conditions for skiing and snowboarding. They boast natural beauty and good infrastructure, attracting both domestic and foreign visitors and making an important contribution to winter tourism.
In summer, Slovenia's mountain centres offer a wide range of experiences, such as hiking on beautiful mountain trails, mountain biking, climbing and ferattas. Adrenaline enthusiasts can enjoy zipline rides and adventure parks. Some centres offer panoramic cable car rides, relaxation in nature, fishing, horse riding and even summer sledging. Mountain lakes and rivers also provide opportunities for water activities, such as rowing or swimming.
Summer active experiences at mountain centres
Slovenia offers a wide variety of cycling routes through picturesque landscapes, mountains, valleys and along the coast. Popular routes include those in the Gorenjska region, along the River Drava, in the vicinity of Ljubljana, and in Slovenian Istria. Cyclists can choose from easy family routes to more challenging mountain and road routes, suitable for all levels of fitness.
The major cycling events in Slovenia
There are approximately 320,000 registered athletes in Slovenia, many of whom are active at professional, amateur or youth level. In addition, recreational sport is very popular – more than 60% of Slovenians take part in physical activity on a regular basis. Recreation is important for health, relaxation and quality of life. The country promotes sport by providing recreational areas and organising events.
In Slovenia, football, basketball and skiing are among the most popular sports and have been at the forefront for a long time. Handball, volleyball, tennis, track and field, cycling, swimming and ice hockey are also among the top 10. These sports receive the most spectators, amateurs and media attention.
Football – around 45,000 registered players.
Basketball – around 30,000 athletes.
Handball – around 20,000 active players.
Volleyball – around 25,000 athletes.
Athletics – around 15,000 participants.
Cycling – around 10,000 registered cyclists.
Swimming – around 8,000 active swimmers.
Skiing – around 5,000 athletes.
Tennis – approximately 7,000 registered players.
Ice hockey – approximately 4,000 players.
In addition to these sports, many Slovenians are active in recreational running, hiking and fitness.
Information about Olympic sports in Slovenia
In addition to the “classic sports'” Slovenia offers many opportunities for adrenaline sports. For more information on adrenaline sports, go to
More about sports and achievements: