Have you searched endlessly for the perfect sport or musical instrument but still haven’t found your match? Are you curious to try out movement styles that are unusual, maybe even a bit under the radar? Want to snap a photo or get an autograph from Olympic gold medalists? Or have you always been drawn to music but felt it was out of reach? The Big Budapest Sports and Instrument Selection Expo (Budapesti Nagy Sportágválasztó és Nagy Hangszerválasztó) is here to help you discover your new favorite passion, all in an interactive and hands-on setting.
A Milestone Year for Budapest’s Favorite Interactive Expo
Set for September 12 and 13, 2025, from 9am to 5pm, this year’s event at Merkapt Sports Center (Merkapt Sportközpont), Maglódi út 12/A, marks the “coming of age” of Hungary’s most beloved sports and music tryout. What began as a grassroots event in 2007—with only 10–15 sports and a few hundred visitors—has grown into Hungary’s biggest and most diverse expo for getting people moving and making music. Now it features over 100 sports, more than 25 musical instruments, and draws more than 20,000 visitors across two busy days.
Why Join? Discover—Don’t Just Watch
The mission is simple: make sports and music easy to try, appealing, and a part of everyday life for everyone. Whether you dream of Olympic glory or simply want to find joy in a new activity, the expo is about positive experiences, hands-on testing, and real inspiration. In fact, many successful athletes discovered their talent at this very event. And who knows—this year, it could be your turn.
Free Entry, Just Register
Yes, entry is free! On Friday, the event welcomes pre-registered school and kindergarten groups until 2pm, after which families and individuals can attend. On Saturday, everyone is invited. Just don’t forget to register—online in advance or in person at the venue.
Meet Superstars, Try Everything
You can expect to meet Olympic, World, and European champions like Dr. Gergely Kiss (Kiss Gergely), Áron Szilágyi (Szilágyi Áron), Gréta Gurisatti (Gurisatti Gréta), Ádám Varga (Varga Ádám), and others, ready for selfies, autographs, and maybe even a quick chat. The expo is packed with Hungary’s most popular sports (soccer, swimming, water polo, handball, fencing, kayaking), as well as newer trends like ballet, weightlifting, breakdancing, triple jump, and Obstacle Course Racing (OCR).
There’s no pressure to compete—just come to experiment, learn some basics from professional trainers, and maybe find a new family favorite. The event is spread out with different zones, live shows, demonstrations, and open training sessions. On the music side, skilled teachers introduce you to everything from violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, and saxophone to piano, drums, handpan, guitar, and cimbalom. You can touch, play, and even dance, with both modern and folk dance workshops in the Music Grove (Zeneliget).
Wild New Activities: Spikeball, Teqball, and More
Don’t think sports are all the same old options! Try spikeball—a fast-paced game with a circular net that’s like round ping pong and perfect for beaches and parks. Or test teqball, Hungary’s very own invention mixing soccer with a curved ping-pong table. Both boost coordination and teamwork for all ages.
Parkour, once a niche craze, is also now part of the lineup—run, jump, and vault over benches, bars, and walls, guided by pros. Or get outdoors with nature fitness hikes, blending classic trekking with squats, hill climbs, and even log-carrying. No fancy equipment—just openness and a bit of adventure.
Move Together—Not Just for Kids
These activities are just as much for parents as for kids. Try something new together and help your children build lifelong healthy habits. The Kinder Joy of Moving program shares this philosophy, turning movement into a joyful, bonding experience.
Movement doesn’t have to be another chore; it can be a few minutes of silly dancing in the living room, a walk after dinner, or an impromptu stretching session. Make it a regular part of family life—not about perfection, but about consistency. Just five or ten minutes a day together makes a lasting difference.
Special Features: Toyota and Active Hungary
It’s not all sports and music. Toyota will showcase its electrified car lineup, giving all ages a glimpse of the future of driving—with exclusive test drives and deals. Meanwhile, the Active Hungary (Aktív Magyarország) program, a returning favorite, offers even more ways to get moving outdoors.
So mark your calendars, register your family, and dive into dozens of surprising and joyful new experiences this September. Whatever you try, may joy win the day!
