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Madrid is recognised internationally for its successful sports teams and for hosting important sporting events including football, basketball, cycling, tennis, motor sports, running and bullfighting. FootballOne of the most popular spectator sports in Madrid is football. Real Madrid and Atlético are the two main professional football clubs in the city. Real Madrid Football Club (Real Madrid Club de Fútbol)According to FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), Real Madrid Football Club (RMFC) was the world's most successful football club in the 20th century. It competes in the premier division of the Spanish Professional Football League (Liga de Fútbol Profesional, LFP) and European Championships competitions. It has won the Spanish League, the Copa del Rey and European Championship several times. The Stadium Santiago Bernabéu is the home ground of the RMFC, which has hosted the European Cup final, the European Championship final and the FIFA World Cup final.
The club has Spanish and international supporters and according to figures published in 2008, is the second biggest football club in the world after Manchester United. El Derbi madrileño (Madrid derby) is a term used to describe matches between the home sides Real Madrid and Atlético.
Atlético Madrid Football Club (Club Atlético de Madrid)Club Athlético Madrid also competes in the premier division of the LFP. It has previously won the LFP, Copa del Rey, the European Cup and the Intercontinental Cup. The Vicente Calderón Stadium is the team's home ground in Madrid. It hosts international matches of the Spanish national team and acts as a venue for concerts.
Spanish Football News & Fixtures
BasketballMadrid has two basketball teams in the Spanish professional basketball league, the ACB (Asociación de Clubs de Baloncesto). Real Madrid BaloncestoReal Madrid Baloncesto is the basketball division of the Real Madrid Football club. It is one of the most successful teams in Spanish and European basketball. The Palacio Vistalegre is the team's home arena.
MMT EstudiantesCB Estudiantes (also known at MMT Estudiantes) is one of three teams (with Real Madrid and Joventut Badalona) that have remained in the top division of the Spanish basketball league. The team's home stadium is the Madrid Arena.
Spanish Basketball News and Matches
CyclingHeld annually since 1935, the Vuelta a España is a UCI ProTour competition and the Spanish equivalent of the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia. Cyclists start the race in Granada and finish in Madrid. It takes three weeks to complete and there are usually 21 stages. The leading cyclist wins the golden jersey (Jersey de Oro) and there are other jerseys awarded to the best climber and sprinter, points leader and combination categories.
TennisPart of the ATP Masters Series, the Madrid Masters is an annual men's tennis tournament that is hosted by the Madrid Arena. It includes both singles and doubles competitions.
Motor SportsThe Red Bull X-fighters international freestyle motocross competition is held annually in Madrid's Las Ventas Bullring. The event began in 2001 in Valencia and has become an important international FMX competition. It is now held at venues around the world including Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Texas, Wuppertal and Madrid. The Jarama circuit (Circuito del Jarama) hosted the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix nine times. After 1981 it was decided that the track was no longer suitable for modern racing, but it still hosts sports car and motorbike racing events. RunningThe Madrid Marathon (Maraton Popular de Madrid) is an important athletics event held in the Spanish capital. Each year it attracts approximately 120,000 runners and one million supporters, including some of the world's best athletes and national and international sporting organisations. Started in 1978, the 42-kilometre marathon takes place on the last Sunday in April. The event also includes a Pasta Party social afternoon for runners and supporters in preparation for the race.
Established in 1964, the San Silvestre Vallecana is a 10-kilometre race through Vallecas in Madrid. There are different categories for professional competitors and amateur runners (over the age of 10). Professional men must complete the course in less than 38 minutes and professional women in under 43 minutes. The race begins near the Santiago Barnabeú stadium and finishes at the Teresa Rivero Stadium in Vallecas. It is a popular way to welcome in the New Year and attracts over 25,000 participants.
BullfightingBullfighting (corrida de toros) is one of Spain's oldest sporting traditions. Madrid's main bullring is La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas del Espíritu Santo, situated to the east of the city. It is the largest bullring in Spain and the second largest in the world. From March to October, bullfights are organised every Sunday night from 19:00 at Las Ventas. During the annual San Isidro festival in May and June, bullfights are arranged every evening for three weeks. Special daily bullfights are also organised as part of Madrid's Autumn Festival (Feria d'Otoño) at the end of September.
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