Do you know how the sport system works in Spain? The country — which is known for being a nation of sports lovers and has world famous teams in various disciplines such as football, basketball, cycling and tennis — has instilled the importance of sports in the very roots of its culture. As a result, it now has an established and official structure.
Participating in the Spanish sport system is straightforward for talented athletes as the government and private entities have put several measures in place to continue promoting the spirit of physical activity from an early age. Want to know how it works? Keep reading.
Do you know how the sport system works in Spain? The country — which is known for being a nation of sports lovers and has world famous teams in various disciplines such as football, basketball, cycling and tennis — has instilled the importance of sports in the very roots of its culture. As a result, it now has an established and official structure.
Participating in the Spanish sport system is straightforward for talented athletes as the government and private entities have put several measures in place to continue promoting the spirit of physical activity from an early age. Want to know how it works? Keep reading.
What is the Spanish national sport system?
According to Law 39/2022, of December 30, on Sports, the Spanish sport system is defined as “the administration of state sports policy and the establishment of its objectives and essential elements”, further stating that “likewise, the government will also promote a relations framework that makes it possible to develop a sport system in collaboration and cooperation with all other government bodies”.
In other words, it refers to the organisations, processes, competitions and system participants in a specific territory. In this case, sports are considered the result of all these factors and the origin of a hierarchical structure that is interrelated with other disciplines.
Elements of the Spanish sport system
The Spanish sport system comprises the following elements to ensure a hierarchical and well-structured system:
- Legal framework of the sports system, which reflects the regulations governing the sport system as a whole.
- Sports structure, made up of the public and private sectors with different territorial powers.
- Sports infrastructure: the facilities and spaces dedicated to various sports disciplines.
- Financial resources allocated for the development of these disciplines and sport structures.
- Human resources: system participants, sport leaders and coaches.
How is the Spanish sport system structured?
As we mentioned above, the Spanish sport system is divided into two sectors: the public sector and the private sector. Both have a hierarchical and territorial structure that we will explore below.
The public sector is divided into the following categories:
High Council of Sports
Regional Sports Department
Local Entities Service
University Service
The private sector is divided into the following entities:
- Associative (non-profit)
- National
- Spanish Olympic Committee
- Spanish sports federations
- Club associations
- Professional leagues
- Regional
- Regional sports federations
- Specific associative figures
- National
- Corporate (for-profit)
- Sports service companies
- Sports limited companies
Participating in the Spanish sport system: How does it work?
The Spanish sport system is divided into different levels and structures to ensure that all citizens are able to participate in sports activities, both at the territorial level and across different age groups.
- Local level: This is the first level. Local authorities and sports clubs are responsible for organising sports events and providing sports facilities for local residents. Participation at this level is open to all and does not require prior qualification.
- Regional level: Spain is divided into 17 regions known as Autonomous Communities, each of which has its own structure that coordinates and organises events at the regional level. Participation at this level is open to all, but prior qualification is required in some sports such as football.
- National level: This is the highest level of the Spanish sport system. National sports federations, recognised by the High Council of Sports, are responsible for organising and regulating national and international sports competitions. At this level, participation is exclusive and open only to the top athletes.
- International level: Spain also takes part in international sports events such as the Olympic Games and world championships. Spanish athletes who qualify at the national level represent Spain in these events.
