Austria's National Sports: A Cultural Overview

Austria is known for its mountains, so it's no surprise that winter sports are popular. Alpine skiing is a prominent sport in the country, and Austrian athletes are some of the best in the world. The country has also twice hosted the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, in 1964 and 1976. But what is the national sport of Austria?

Austrian national alpine ski team

The Austria national alpine ski team, also known as Wunderteam, represents Austria in international alpine skiing competitions. These include the Winter Olympic Games, the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, and the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships.

Austria has a strong history in alpine skiing, with around 40% of the Austrian population taking part in the sport. The country has produced several athletes who are considered among the greatest alpine skiers of all time, including Annemarie Moser-Pröll, Hermann Maier, Toni Sailer, and Marcel Hirscher. Austria has been the top nation in alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics and has also achieved success in the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships. As of 2021, about a third of the 230 Olympic medals won by Austrian athletes were in alpine skiing, and another 30% were in other winter sports.

The Austrian National Ski Team follows a well-respected curriculum used in the context of the national training programme for alpine coaches and certified ski instructors. This curriculum has been key to the team's success over the years. The team's training camps are located in some of Austria's best ski regions, such as Kuehtai, Hintertux Glacier, and the Olympic Region Axamer Lizum.

The Alpine Ski World Cup traditionally kicks off the new season in October with the Giant Slalom in Sölden. The 2024/2025 season will feature almost 90 races until March, including classic venues such as Val Gardena/Gröden, Garmisch, Adelboden, Flachau, Schladming, and Cortina. The World Ski Championships in Saalbach in February 2025 will be a highlight, introducing a new discipline: the team combination.

The Austrian national alpine ski team has dominated the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, with 34 overall wins, 17 each for the men's and women's teams, and a total of 926 race wins.

Motorsport and Formula One

Motorsport is the third most popular spectator sport in Austria, after skiing and football. The Austrian Grand Prix is a Formula One race that has been held on and off since 1963. The race takes place at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Styria, and tickets are considered a must for motorsports fans.

Austria has produced several successful Formula One drivers. Niki Lauda, born in Vienna, is a three-time Formula One World Champion (1975, 1977, and 1984). He won 25 races, making him the seventh most successful driver in terms of race wins. Lauda's career was not without incident, however. In 1976, he suffered a near-fatal crash at Nürburgring, sustaining first-degree burns to his head and hands, losing half an ear, and breaking several bones. Despite this, he returned to racing just six weeks later.

Jochen Rindt is the only posthumous Formula One World Champion in history, having been killed in a crash during a practice session for the 1970 Italian Grand Prix. He won the championship in 1970, and his victory at the 1965 24 Hours of Le Mans also deserves a mention.

Gerhard Berger is the only other Austrian driver to win a Formula One race. He achieved ten victories in 210 races and is one of a small number of Formula One racers to compete in more than 200 events.

Other notable Austrian drivers include Helmut Marko, Alexander Wurz, Roland Ratzenberger, Karl Wendlinger, and Christian Klien. Unfortunately, Austria has seen its fair share of tragedy in Formula One, with three drivers losing their lives while competing in the sport.

In addition to Formula One, Austria has two top motorsport venues: Österreichring and Salzburgring. Österreichring has hosted the Austrian Grand Prix, the Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix, and the 1000 km Zeltweg endurance sports car race. Salzburgring has hosted the Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix, the Superbike World Championship, the European Formula Two Championship, and top German series such as the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft and the Super Tourenwagen Cup.

Ice hockey

The Austrian men's national ice hockey team, nicknamed "The Eagles", made its international debut in 1912 and has had notable successes, including winning the European Championship in 1927 and 1931 and achieving third place in the World Championships in 1931 and 1947. The women's and junior national teams made their debuts much later, in 2001 and 1979, respectively.

The highest division of Austrian ice hockey has existed in its current form since the 1965/66 season, with the Austrian champions being crowned intermittently since 1923. The record champion and oldest club currently in the league is the EC KAC from Klagenfurt, having won 30 championship titles.

In recent years, ice hockey in Austria has faced some challenges, particularly with finances and developing young players. However, the league continues to develop and has established itself among the better European leagues. The brand exceeded one million spectators for the first time in the 2009/10 season, and the league has been accepted as a full member of the European league club Hockey Europe.

Football clubs in Vienna

Football is the most popular sport in Austria, and the country has a rich football history. In the past, the Austrian national team was considered one of the best in the world, particularly during the Wunderteam years of the early 1930s. While Austrian football has since been overshadowed by other European leagues, it still maintains a strong following, especially in the cities.

Vienna, the country's capital, is home to several football clubs, each with its own unique history and fan base. Here is an overview of some of the notable football clubs in Vienna:

SK Rapid Wien

SK Rapid Wien, often referred to as simply "Rapid," is one of the most well-supported football clubs in Vienna and across Austria. They play in the Bundesliga, the top tier of Austrian football, and have a long history of success, having won numerous trophies over the years. Their fans, known as "ultras," are known for their passionate support and elaborate pre-match choreographic displays. The club's new stadium, the Allianz Stadium, opened in 2016, and has a capacity of around 28,000.

FK Austria Wien

FK Austria Wien, or simply "Austria," is another major professional football club in Vienna. They are one of the traditional powerhouses of Austrian football and play in the Bundesliga. While they may not have as large a fan base as Rapid Wien, they still have a proud and passionate following. Their stadium, the Generali Arena, underwent renovations and reopened in 2018, providing a modern venue for their supporters.

First Vienna FC

First Vienna FC is the oldest football club in Austria, established with the support of the Rothschild family. They play in the Zweite Liga, the second tier of Austrian football, and are based at the iconic Hohe Warte stadium, which once hosted up to 85,000 spectators. The club has a friendly and inclusive atmosphere and is known for its rivalry with Wiener Sport-Club, with their matches referred to as the "Derby of Love."

Wiener Sport-Club

Wiener Sport-Club, commonly known as "Sportclub," is a cult club in Viennese football. They hold the record for the heaviest defeat handed to Juventus in Europe, beating them 7-0 in the 1958/59 European Cup. Sport-Club occupies a unique niche, known for its friendly and inclusive atmosphere with fans noted for their left-wing leanings. Their stadium, Sport-Club Platz, is the oldest in the country where football has been played continuously. However, it is currently undergoing reconstruction, with home games being played at a temporary venue until 2026.

Other Vienna Football Clubs

In addition to the clubs mentioned above, there are several other football clubs based in Vienna, including Admira Wacker, Hakoah Vienna, FC Mauerwerk, SV Schwechat, and Sportclub Wacker Vienna. While they may not have the same level of success or following as the bigger clubs, they contribute to the vibrant football culture in the city and offer a more local, intimate match-day experience.

Basketball, rugby, and volleyball

Basketball Austria is the governing body of basketball in the country. It joined FIBA in 1934 and operates the Austrian men's and women's national teams, as well as youth teams. The Austrian Basketball Superliga is the top professional league in the country. Basketball is a widely played sport in Austria, with the country's prime basketball league being the Österreichische Basketball Bundesliga. Several Austrian teams have participated in European competitions. The most prominent Austrian basketball player today is Jakob Pöltl, who became the country's first NBA player in the 2016-17 season.

Rugby union in Austria is a minor but growing sport, currently ranked 79th in World Rugby's world rankings. Traditionally, Austrian rugby has been strongest amongst students, particularly in Vienna, but it has faced competition from soccer and skiing. The sport has a long history in Austria, dating back to 1900, and the governing body, Rugby Österreich, was founded in 1990 and affiliated with the IRB in 1992.

Volleyball is also played in Austria, with a men's national volleyball team representing the country in international competitions and friendly matches.

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