Have you ever wondered which sports are most popular in Poland? And what about the accomplishments of Polish athletes in these disciplines? Well, let me share some answers to your burning questions. Read on.
Most Popular Sports in Poland
Let me say that ski jumping has long been a popular seasonal sport in Poland. Adam Małysz is one of the most famous Poles, with a name recognized all around the world. But ever since Adam Małysz switched his focus to motor sports, ski jumping has lost some of its appeal – as evidenced by fewer fans and TV viewers during competitions.
Which Sports Do Poles Love to Play and Watch?
While athletic success doesn’t always determine a sport’s popularity, football is undeniably the most popular sport that Poles enjoy playing. However, we can’t really brag about spectacular results in this field. Football is also extremely popular among fans, as evidenced by the number of spectators in the stands and the enthusiasm surrounding major tournaments.
On the other hand, fitness is the sport Poles most enthusiastically practice. Sports clubs and gyms are filled to capacity. This comes as no surprise, since strength training is an individual form of active recreation that allows people to engage and develop their entire body, especially in today’s sedentary lifestyle.
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However, it’s worth mentioning other sports where Poland has achieved great success on the international stage. The full list include:
- Ski Jumping
- Football
- Volleyball
- Handball
- Martial arts
- Strength sports
- Speedway
- Tennis
Polish Achievements in Popular Sports Disciplines
Which of these popular sports make Poles proud, and which ones, despite great interest, tend to disappoint? Let’s find out which sports are worth noting and which can be considered underrated.
Ski Jumping
During winter, ski jumping attracts a lot of attention, especially in Poland. The World Cup competitions in Zakopane are a true celebration for fans. It’s not just our jumpers, but competitrs from other countries as well who emphasize the fantastic atmosphere at these Polish events. The popularity of this discipline skyrocketed thanks to the successes of Adam Małysz. At the beginning of the 21st century, the jumper from the Vistula dominated ski jumping facilities worldwide.
Then, the glory was passed on to Kamil Stoch (and to a lesser extent, Dawid Kubacki and Piotr Żyła). Kamil Stoch, hailing from Ząb, has an impressive list of accomplishments to his name. He’s particularly known for his three Olympic gold medals, won during the games in Sochi and Pyeongchang. It’s worth mentioning that millions of Poles tune in every week to watch the World Cup on TV, showcasing just how passionate they are about ski jumping.
Football
I can tell you that the number of football teams (both amateur and professional), pitches, and even stadiums in Poland is quite impressive. Unfortunately, it’s hard to talk about many successes for football players – at any professional level.
Can we boast of remarkable achievements in football on a global scale? As a team, we’re not exactly feared by our opponents, since most matches end with results that leave Polish fans wanting more. However, I believe it’s a different story for individual players. Polish footballers currently excel in some of the most popular and powerful teams in the world – with Robert Lewandowski as a prime example.
Here are the biggest Poland’s accomplishments in football:
- III FIFA World Cup France 1938: Ernest Wilimowski scored 4 goals in the Poland – Brazil match, which ended 5:6.
- Gold Medal at the 20th Olympic Games in Munich 1972: The Polish footbal team emerged victorious.
- Kazimierz Górski: An all-time great coach.
- Grzegorz Lato: Top scorer of the 10th Football World Cup in West Germany, 1974.
- 3rd Place at the 10th Football World Cup: Poland achieved this feat in Germany, 1974.
- Silver Medal at the 21st Olympic Games in Montreal 1976: Another accomplishment for the Polish football team.
- 3rd Place at the 12th FIFA World Cup in Spain 1982: Poland continued its strong performance on the world stage.
- 2nd Place – Silver Medal at the XXV IO Barcelona 1992: Another proud moment for Polish football.
- Włodzimierz Lubański: The all-time top scorer of the Polish national football team, with 48 goals in 75 games.
Volleyball
Volleyball ranks as the second most popular team sport in Poland, right after football – which is evident not only in the crowded stands during matches but also by the number of people training or playing volleyball just for fun. Volleyball’s popularity is mainly due to the tremendous successes of Polish teams at international competitions, such as:
- 3rd place at the 32nd Men’s European Volleyball Championship – EuroVolley 2021 – held in Poland, Czech Republic, Estonia, and Finland in 2021;
- 2nd place in the III Final of the Men’s Volleyball Nations League in Italy in 2020;
- 1st place in the XIV Volleyball World Cup in Japan in 2019;
- 1st place in the XIX Men’s Volleyball World Championship in Italy and Bulgaria in 2018.
Martial Arts
The popularity of combat sports is growing every year among Polish youth. This is reflected in packed stands at small, medium, and large sporting events related to martial arts. Sports clubs teem with dedicated players, and coaches are always busy – whether the classes focus on boxing, MMA, or more exotic options.
It’s worth noting that Poland has achieved considerable success on the global stage. Although we haven’t won many Olympic medals in recent years, probably everyone (amaters and professionals alike) has heard of names like Gołota, Adamek, Gamrot, Jędrzejczyk, and Błachowicz. The first two gentlemen are world-famous boxing champions, while the latter three boast impressive successes in the most popular and largest MMA federation globally – UFC.
The popularity of combat sports is also evident in the number of people training at clubs across the country. Gyms are packed with participants of all ages and experience levels. So, it’s hard to find someone who has never had any contact with combat sports.
Speedway
Motor sports in Poland have been thrilling fans for years – and speedway undoubtedly leads the pack among these disciplines. However, it must be said that speedway is relatively rare in Poland. It’s an expensive sport that requires significant financial investments, proper equipment, and suitable conditions. So, what can we be proud of in terms of Polish achievements?
Team World Championship:
- 1st place in the years: 1961, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1996, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017;
- 2nd place in the years: 1967, 1976, 1977, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2008, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021;
- 3rd place in the years: 1962, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1978, 1980, 2015, 2018.
Handball
Handball also enjoys unwavering popularity. It’s one of the most popular disciplines in the team sports category – attracting enthusiasts from all age groups.
Strength Sports
It’s impossible to ignore that strength sports in Poland have experienced a significant surge in popularity among active individuals. Gyms in small, medium, and large cities are frequented by both young and older people who care about maintaining their fitness, strength, and physique.
Jarosław Olech is a particularly noteworthy athlete in this field. Over the years, he claimed the world title in powerlifting 13 times in a row and set numerous records. His success has undoubtedly contributed to the growing interest in strength sports in Poland.
Tennis
Tennis is a sport that has been steadily gaining popularity in Poland over the years. While it may not be as popular as football or volleyball, more and more Poles are picking up a racket and giving it a try. The roots of tennis in Poland can be traced back to the 19th century when precursors of the game were played by the Polish nobility. Today, tennis is accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, and with friendly tennis clubs and facilities popping up across the country, it’s becoming easier than ever for young tennis enthusiasts to get involved and have fun on the court.
Pleas read this article to find out more about polish tennis players: Revealed: The Greatest Polish Tennis Players of All Time
Conclusion
As you can see, sports in Poland encompass a wide range of categories. The most popular sports in the country aren’t limited to football (although it’s undeniably the most recognized), but also include individual sports (like sport shooting or triathlon). So, if you want to get involved, you’ll easily find a discipline that perfectly suits your interests.
References:
- https://www.swidnik.pl/najpopularniejsze-dyscypliny-sportowe-w-polsce/
- https://sport.tvp.pl/66113796/najpopularniejsi-sportowcy-w-polsce-najpopularniejsze-sporty-w-polsce
- https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_w_Polsce
