Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria has a rich history of sporting excellence, with a wide variety of sports being played across the country. The most popular sports in Austria are football, alpine skiing, and ice hockey. Owing to its mountainous terrain, Austria has produced some of the world's best alpine skiers and ski jumpers. Motorsport and tennis are also popular spectator sports, with Austria hosting several international tennis tournaments and motorsport races.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most popular sports | Football, alpine skiing, ice hockey, snowboarding, ski jumping, tennis, basketball, motorsport, rugby, dance |
| Football teams | Rapid Wien, Austria Wien, Red Bull Salzburg |
| Successful football players | Jakob Pöltl |
| Tennis players | Thomas Muster, Dominic Thiem, Jürgen Melzer, Barbara Schett, Barbara Paulus |
| Basketball players | Jakob Pöltl |
| Motorsport venues | Österreichring, Salzburgring |
| Motorsport races | Austrian Grand Prix, Austrian motorcycle Grand Prix, Superbike World Championship, European Formula Two Championship, Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, Super Tourenwagen Cup |
| Dance athletes | Florian Gschaider, Manuela Stoeckl, Vadim Garbuzov, Kathrin Menzinger |
| Winter Olympic Games host cities | Innsbruck |
| UEFA European Championships co-host | Switzerland |
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What You'll Learn
Motorsport
The Austrian Motorsport Federation (AMF) is the country's representative in the world motorsport federations FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) and FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme), as well as the European federation FIME (FIM-Europe). These federations authorise the AMF to officially regulate motor, kart, and motorcycle sports in Austria.
The Red Bull Ring circuit, located in the motorsport-loving region of Murtal, is a popular destination for racing fans. The 2025 motorsport season at the Red Bull Ring will feature historic racing cars from decades past, legendary rally cars, and iconic movie cars. The circuit has also hosted the Austrian Grand Prix, a Formula One race held intermittently since 1963.
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Ice hockey
The late 1920s and 1930s brought great success for Austrian hockey. In 1927, the Austrian national team won the European Championship without losing a single game. In 1930, they defeated Canada 1-0, becoming the first European team from North America to do so. In 1931, they achieved third place in the World Ice Hockey Championships, behind Canada and the United States. This was followed by two consecutive silver medals at the European Championships in 1932 and 1933.
During World War II, several Austrian teams competed in the German Ice Hockey Championship, and the EK Engelmann Wien and Vienna EV even won German Championship titles. However, the war halted game operations, and it wasn't until 1945 that the association was re-founded. In 1947, the team won a bronze medal at a World Cup. Despite a sporting crash after this, Austria managed an immediate resurgence in the second division in 1962.
Austrian men's, women's, junior, and women's U-18 national teams continue to participate in the IIHF World Championships, and the country has been a member of the IIHF since 1912. The sport is widely played and watched in Austria, with a rich history of success and a bright future ahead.
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Skiing
Austria is a country with a rich history of skiing, with around 40% of the population taking part in the sport. The country's alpine landscape and mountain resorts make it a popular destination for skiers from all over the world.
Austria has produced some of the world's best alpine skiers, including Toni Sailer, Hermann Maier, and Annemarie Moser-Pröll. The country has dominated the Winter Olympics, FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, and FIS Ski Jumping World Cup. In the 2011 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, Austrian athletes won all five ski jumping gold medals. As of 2001, about a third of the 230 Olympic medals won by Austrians were awarded for alpine skiing, with another 30% in other winter sports.
Austria's ski resorts offer a range of experiences, from large resorts with extensive slopes and modern infrastructure to small, charming villages with historic architecture. KitzSki – Kitzbühel/Kirchberg, St. Anton, and Saalbach are some of the most popular ski resorts in the country, known for their extensive slopes, modern ski lifts, and stunning mountain views.
Austria's ski season typically peaks in January, when the country receives the most snowfall. The ski areas in Austria are favoured by their location and altitude, providing excellent conditions for skiers of all levels.
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American football
Austria has a strong following for American football, with the Austrian Football League (AFL) considered one of the best leagues in Europe. The AFL was founded in 1982 and has a pyramid structure with the league playing by rules based on those of the NCAA. Teams play in divisions I through IV, with winners moving up to the next level. The Tyrol Raiders and Vienna Vikings have dominated the league for much of the last decade, although they have now moved to the European League of Football. The AFL has a strong focus on homegrown players, with specific rule limitations on the number of foreigners.
The Austrian national American football team is the current 2023 European champion, having defeated Finland 28-0 in the final. The team is mostly recruited from the AFL, with a few players from other European leagues, particularly the German Football League. The Austrian team has a history of success, placing third in the 1995 and 2010 European Championships and second in 2014 and 2018.
The sport has a passionate fanbase in the country, with a dedicated following for both the national team and club teams in the AFL. The success of the Austrian national team and the strength of the AFL have contributed to the growth and popularity of American football in Austria.
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Tennis
Austria has produced notable tennis players who have achieved success in international tournaments. One of the most prominent names in Austrian tennis is Dominic Thiem, who won the 2020 US Open men's singles title and reached the finals of the French Open and Australian Open in previous years. Another well-known Austrian tennis player is Thomas Muster, the winner of the 1995 French Open singles tournament.
Austria also offers tennis tours and tennis-focused holiday packages, attracting tennis enthusiasts from around the world. The Stanglwirt, a renowned tennis hotel, provides top-notch facilities, including indoor and outdoor courts, and hosts the prestigious Peter Burwash International Tennis School (PBI). The PBI Tennis Camp is known for its focus on improving the technical and tactical skills of players at all levels, from beginners to tournament competitors.
Additionally, Austria has a strong presence in other sports, with football being the most popular. The country has a successful football league system, and its national team has participated in both World Cups and European Championships. Other well-loved sports in Austria include alpine skiing, ice hockey, and motorsports.
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Frequently asked questions
The most popular sports in Austria are football, alpine skiing, ice hockey, and motorsport.
Austria has a lot of mountainous terrain, so it is well-suited to winter sports. Aside from alpine skiing, snowboarding and ski jumping are also popular.
Motorsport is the third most popular spectator sport in Austria, after skiing and football. Tennis is also a popular sport in Austria, with the country hosting several international tournaments.
The Austrian Football League (AFL) is considered one of the best American football leagues in Europe. In association football, the most successful teams are Rapid Wien, Austria Wien, and Red Bull Salzburg.
