Sports

'Stand up Paddleboarding' or SUP for short or Surf de remo in Spanish. This sport is usually performed in the calm sea or a lake as larger waves or strong winds make it challenging. It was practiced in Tarifa in 2011 and became popular in other parts of Andalucía by 2015.

The origins of the sport are in Africa where it was common to stand on a kayak for better visibility when fishing. Lifeguards in Israel, Australia and California have practiced the same to watch over the swimmers. 

An Andalusian man without his horse is like a matador without a cape. He feels stripped of an essential part of his identity that has been formed over the centuries. It is part of his life, his work, his status, his culture, his earthly possessions... his horse is central to his very being.

Marbella Wakeboard center ( was called Cable Ski Marbella) offers a unique water sport experience to young and old. Beginner to Advanced can have fun and a sense of achievement through a well designed and safe activity. Various equipment is provided, ranging from beginner’s kneeboards to the more advanced wakeboards and water skis for the extreme wake boarder and water-skier.

The local football team is Marbella Fútbol Club. It was founded in 1997 following the collapse of Club Athletico Marbella which was owned by Jesus Gil. The new club was initially called Unión Deportiva Marbella and renamed in 2013 to appeal to a wider international fan base.

Malaga playshost to the final stage - seven team meetings in total, featuring the last eight teams - of this men's international competition. Described as the World Cup of tennis, the Davis Cup features the world's 18 top-ranked national teams (known as the World Group).

Cádiz Club de Fútbol is a Spanish professional football club based in Cádiz, Andalucia. Known for their passionate fanbase and fighting spirit, the club has had a rollercoaster journey through the divisions.

Subida al pico Veleta or the Climb to Pico Veleta is a 50km endurance race in the Sierra Nevada mountain range including a cumulative altitude gain of 2,705m to the top of the fourth highest peak in Spain.

Ultra Sierra Nevada is an ultra marathon of 100 kilometres in distance, involving a continuous ascent along paths and tracks from the city of Granada up to the summit of Pico Veleta, followed by a descent to Pradollan, a ski resort in the Sierre Nevada mountain range.

The 5th GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, event was held between 1st and 4th of May 2024 on Valdevaqueras beach opposite Bibo Beach House in Tarifa the wind capital of Andalucia.

Seville Marathon, the third largest in Spain, with 14,000 runners taking part. It is traditionally held on the third Sunday in February. The Seville Marathon is usually very fast due to the flat course and (often) good weather. Race record is 2 hrs 04min 43 sec. The XL Zurich Marathon de Sevilla will take place on 23rd February 2025.

Malaga played host to the final stage - seven team meetings in total, featuring the last eight teams - of this men's international competition. The semi-finals took place on 24 and 25 November and the final on 26 November, with Italy the winning team crowned Davis Cup Champions.

The mild climate also attracts major international competitions to the area, both on the Costa del Sol and in major inland cities. In 2023 and 2024, the two top global team events in the tennis calendar are both holding their finals in the region.

Costa del Sol has the ideal combination of climate for outdoor sports. Tennis remains consistently popular and attracts players of all ages. There are numerous tennis clubs on the Costa del Sol. Here is a list of many of them.

The 4th GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, event was held between 11th and 15th of October 2023 at Bebo Beach House, Valdevaqueros Beach in Tarifa the wind capital of Andalucia.

The 3rd GWA Tarifa Wing Pro, event was held between 12th and 15th of October 2022 at Bebo Beach House, Valdevaqueros Beach in Tarifa the wind capital of Andalucia.

The 2nd Tarifa Wing Pro 2021 focus is on the Surf-Freestyle discipline as the main format with a total prize money of 10.000€. There is also Surf-Race format an exhibition discipline to develop the format for an additional discipline to be official in 2021.

The inaugural Marbella Ironman 70.3 took place on Sunday 28th April 2018. The race has taken place every year since then except 2020. The race always takes place on a Sunday in Spring or Autumn but the date varies.

The Andalucia Rally for cars and motorbikes has taken place in May in Andalucia in 2020 and 2021. The Andalucia Rally is the opening event of the FIA World Cup for Cross-Country-Rallies.