Ever dreamed of finding a sport you truly love or meeting an Olympic champion in person? How about trying out an instrument you’ve only seen from a distance at concerts? Whether you’re searching for a new passion, looking for family fun, or just want a selfie with a world-class athlete, the Budapest Great Sport and Instrument Selection (Nagy Sportágválasztó és Hangszerválasztó) 2025 is here to deliver—featuring more than 100 sports, over 25 instruments, and thousands of enthusiastic visitors.
Turning Eighteen—Bigger and Bolder Than Ever
This September, the popular Great Sport and Instrument Selection celebrates its 18th anniversary. What began in 2007 as a small community project with just 10-15 sports and around 300 attendees is now Hungary’s largest interactive sports and music showcase, attracting over 20,000 people in two days. The goal: to make sports and music accessible in practice, not just in theory. Maybe you won’t turn your child into a future Olympian, but the real “win” is helping everyone find joy in physical activity and creative expression—regardless of age or background.
Join for Free—Just Register First
The event, taking place September 12-13, 2025, runs from 9 am to 5 pm at Merkapt Sports Center (Merkapt Sportközpont), 12/A Maglódi Road (Maglódi út), Budapest. Entry is free, but registration is required. Register in advance online or sign up at the venue. Friday morning is reserved for school and kindergarten groups (with teachers), but from 2 pm, the doors are open to everyone. Saturday is a full-on family festival.
Sports Galore—From Soccer to Breakdancing
Expect Hungary’s most popular and successful sports—soccer (football), swimming, water polo, handball, fencing, kayaking and canoeing—all ready for you to try under the guidance of professional coaches. You’ll also discover newer, less mainstream activities like ballet, weightlifting, breakdancing, triple games, and OCR (Obstacle Course Racing). With over 100 sports on offer, chances are you’ll find one you fall in love with.
Real sports heroes will mingle with visitors on both days—Olympians, world champions, and European champions—happy to sign autographs and take photos. Confirmed attendees include Dr. Gergely Kiss, Áron Szilágyi, Gréta Gurisatti, Ádám Varga, Máté Koch, Ajna Késely, Márk Opavszky, László Cseh, Márton Kövér, Nándor Németh, Zsombor Tamási, Andrea Molnár, Zoltán Kósz, Izabella Ujvári, Gergely Balogh, Botond Mester, Bence Fodor, and Ferenc Novák.
Discover Instruments—Bow, Blow, and Beat
The Instrument Selection isn’t just for kids—everyone can get hands-on with a wide selection of instruments with the help of trained music teachers. Try violins, violas, cellos, double basses; flutes, recorders, clarinets, saxophones (tenor, alto, baritone); trumpets, horns, trombones; drums, hand drums, tambourines, triangle, xylophone; handpan, electric and bass guitars, pianos, and hammered dulcimer (cimbalom). In the “Music Grove,” you can also experience both modern and folk dance.
New Sports, New Adventures
Think the world of sports is oversaturated? Not even close. Exciting new activities keep appearing, many focused on playfulness and community experience. For parents, keeping an open mind pays off—sometimes it’s the quirky new sport that truly ignites a child’s (or your own) interest.
Spikeball—The Round Ping-Pong
Spikeball is played on a round, trampoline-like net by two or four people who bounce the ball back and forth. Fast-paced, energetic, and increasingly popular in parks and on beaches, it builds coordination and teamwork.
Teqball—A Hungarian Invention
Teqball combines soccer skills and table tennis, using a curved table and a regulation soccer ball. It develops ball control, balance, and concentration—seen in schools, playgrounds, and sports centers all over Hungary.
Parkour—Art of Movement
Though not brand new, parkour is now much more structured, with sessions for kids that focus on creative, energetic ways of moving over obstacles (benches, rails, walls). It’s great for self-expression, fitness, and confidence.
Nature Fitness—Hiking Reinvented
The new approach to hiking combines classic trails with functional movements like squats by tree trunks, makeshift “stairs” up hills, or climbing over branches. Perfect for adventurous families—no fancy equipment needed, just a willingness to explore.
Movement as Family Bonding
The key message? Moving together is about fun, not perfection. Programs like Kinder Joy of Moving support the idea that joy is more important than performance. Even the simplest shared activities make a difference—5-10 minutes of morning stretching, living room dance breaks, silly games (“who can stand on one leg longer?”), climbing stairs, nightly stretching or yoga, or walking home from school. Small habits, done regularly, make a world of difference for both health and family memories.
Let the kids choose, stay open, and above all, celebrate every joyful moment you spend together—on the field, on stage, and everywhere in between!
