May 29, 2026 (Friday) – May 30, 2026 (Saturday), 9:00–17:00, Merkapt Sports Center (Merkapt Sportközpont), 1106 Budapest, Maglódi út 12/A, Kőbánya (10th District). Free entry with registration.
Budapest’s Big Sports and Instrument Tryout lands at Merkapt Sports Center (Merkapt Sportközpont) for two packed days of discovery, where visitors can jump into more than 100 sports and test-drive 25 instruments. Whether you’re hunting for a new sport, picking a first team, or getting closer to music, this is the place to get hands-on, ask questions, and find your fit.
100+ Sports, 25 Instruments, One Venue
Across the complex, trained coaches and instructors guide you through popular and niche activities alike, from soccer, swimming, and handball to fencing, kayaking and canoeing, ballet, weightlifting, breakdance, and OCR obstacle racing. The setup is built for participation, not just spectating: open sessions, demos, and tryouts run all day so you can actually feel what each sport demands.
Music lovers get equal billing at the Big Instrument Tryout. With 25 instruments to explore, you can move from strings to brass, woodwinds to percussion, keys to folk and modern sounds. Professional music teachers are on hand to demonstrate, adjust posture and grip, and help you pull a first real note from each instrument.
Meet Champions, Get Inspired
Olympic, world, and European champions regularly drop by, bringing medals, stories, and motivation. Kids can snap a photo, collect an autograph, and chat with athletes about training, setbacks, and breakthroughs. It’s a rare chance to meet heroes up close—and to see how a sport feels before deciding if it could become your thing.
Why Go?
Because it’s all about doing. You won’t just watch fencing footwork—you’ll suit up. You won’t just hear a clarinet—you’ll try one, guided by a teacher. The event is a smart pick for:
– Kids choosing a sport
– Families planning an active day out
– Curious beginners and seasoned fans wanting to sample new movement styles
– Visitors open to music who want to test different instruments in a supportive, low-pressure setting
For Kids and Families
This is one of Budapest’s favorite family programs for a reason: more than 100 sports and a full music zone under one roof mean every age finds something engaging. Coaches tailor drills so children can safely try skills, compare sports side by side, and sense which ones click. Parents get a clear view of club pathways and training expectations, making the looming sport-choice debate much easier. On the music side, the tryouts make instruments tangible—small hands on strings, sticks, and keys, with quick wins that build confidence.
What You Can Try in Music
Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass
Woodwinds: flute, recorder, clarinet, saxophone
Brass: trumpet, horn, trombone
Percussion: drum kit, hand drums, triangle, xylophone
Plucked: guitar, bass guitar
Keyboard and chordal: piano, cimbalom
In the Zeneliget, live music activities are paired with modern and folk dance, adding rhythm and movement to the instrument journey.
How the Two Days Work
– Friday, May 29: Primarily for pre-registered kindergarten and school groups. Teachers can rotate classes through sports zones and instrument stations efficiently, with coaches and instructors ready for rapid-fire intros and focused tryouts.
– Saturday, May 30: Fully open to the public from 9:00 to 17:00. Families, solo visitors, and curious newcomers can freely roam, sample, and circle back to favorites.
Fast Facts
– Dates: May 29–30, 2026
– Hours: 9:00–17:00 both days
– Venue: Merkapt Sports Center (Merkapt Sportközpont), 1106 Budapest, Maglódi út 12/A (Kőbánya)
– Price: Free, registration required
– Program: 100+ sports tryouts, sports demos and open practices, 25-instrument showcase with guided tryouts, music programs and dance add-ons
– Recommended for: kids, families, sports fans, music-curious visitors, kindergarten and school groups
What to Expect in Sports
Each sport station offers hands-on sessions and short intros—enough to learn basics, feel intensity, and compare demands. Expect soccer drills, swimming technique tips, water polo fundamentals on dryland setups, handball passing and shooting, fencing stance and bladework, kayak-erg sessions, beginner ballet barre, proper form in weightlifting, breakdance foundations, and OCR skills like grip, balance, and short obstacle runs. Demos and open practices punctuate the day so you can watch technique at pace before you try it.
Who Should Go
– Kids and teens ready to choose a sport or switch to one that suits them better
– Families wanting a high-energy weekend plan in Budapest
– Kindergarten and school groups keen on playful, guided introductions to movement and music
– Adults curious about new activities, from endurance to strength to coordination sports
– Visitors who want to explore instruments with supportive, expert guidance
Registration and Entry
Entry is free, but registration is required for all visitors. Schools and kindergartens should book Friday group slots in advance. Saturday is open to everyone, all day. Bring comfortable clothing, a water bottle, and curiosity—coaches and teachers handle the rest.
Budapest’s Big Sports and Instrument Tryout aims to help both kids and adults discover activities and instruments that bring real joy, and maybe even plant the seed for a long-term passion. Try it, feel it, choose it—and take home a new goal, a first riff, or your next favorite sport.
