Budapest throws open the gates of Merkapt Sports Center (Merkapt Sportközpont) on May 29–30, 2026, for the Big Sport and Big Instrument Tryout, a two-day, free-to-enter festival where you can get hands-on with more than 100 sports and 25 musical instruments. Whether you’re searching for the right sport or itching to get closer to music, this is the place to explore, compare, and play—all in one spot, with expert guidance and a buzzing family vibe.
Address: 1106 Budapest, District X – Kőbánya, Maglódi út 12/A, Merkapt Sports Center (Merkapt Sportközpont). Opening hours both days: 9:00–17:00. Entry is free but requires registration. Friday prioritizes pre-registered kindergarten and school groups; Saturday is fully open to everyone.
Try More Than 100 Sports
From crowd-pleasers to hidden gems, the lineup covers a huge range of movement styles. Lace up for soccer, test your stamina in swimming or water polo, sharpen your reflexes with fencing, or paddle into kayak-canoe. There’s handball, ballet, weightlifting, breakdance, and OCR obstacle running, plus countless other disciplines spread across themed areas. You won’t just watch—you’ll do. Each station features demonstrations, open sessions, and hands-on coaching from qualified trainers ready to help total beginners and curious dabblers find their footing.
It’s a rare chance to compare sports back-to-back and feel the difference: the intensity of a combat drill, the flow of a dance routine, the strength demanded in a clean and jerk, or the mental edge needed on the piste. With experts on hand, you can ask questions, learn basic techniques safely, and figure out what genuinely clicks.
Meet Champions, Snap a Photo, Get Inspired
The event regularly welcomes Olympic, world, and European champions who drop by to meet visitors, share stories, sign autographs, and pose for photos. For kids on the cusp of choosing a sport, a quick chat with an elite athlete can be the nudge that turns curiosity into commitment. The atmosphere stays relaxed and approachable—heroes of the game mingle with families on the turf and courts.
One of Hungary’s Biggest Free Sport Festivals
Over the years, the Budapest Big Sport Tryout has grown into one of the country’s largest free sport festivals, and the 2026 edition adds a strong music thread. The dual focus lets families split time between pitches and practice pads—burn energy, then tune the ear. Expect an easy-to-navigate layout, clear signage, and plenty of staff to guide you between zones so you can make the most of the 9-to-5 window each day.
A Top Pick for Kids and Families
This is a standout kid-friendly program in Budapest. Children get to experiment with dozens of disciplines in a playful, low-pressure setting and discover what suits their personality—team spirit or solo focus, explosive power or balance and grace. Because trainers supervise every station, families can count on safe, age-appropriate instruction. It’s also a smart shortcut for parents weighing club sign-ups: test before you invest, with experts offering direction on next steps and local training options.
Step Into Sound: Try 25 Instruments
Across the venue, the Big Instrument Tryout brings music to life with guided, hands-on sessions led by trained educators. Explore strings—violin, viola, cello, double bass—and woodwinds like flute, recorder, clarinet, and saxophone. Brass fans can try trumpet, horn, and trombone, while percussion ranges from drum kit and hand drums to triangle and xylophone. Plucked favorites include guitar and bass guitar, and you can sit down at the piano or discover the shimmering cimbalom. The Music Grove (Zeneliget) area spices things up with modern and folk dance tie-ins, letting rhythm, movement, and melody meet in one whirl.
Just like on the sport side, the music program encourages play: hold the instrument, make a sound, learn a simple pattern, and figure out what feels natural. Educators share tips on posture, technique, and practice options, so families leave with a clearer sense of fit.
Who Should Go
Perfect for kids and teens choosing a sport, families hunting for an active weekend plan in Budapest, school and kindergarten groups learning through play, sport lovers eager to try something new, and music-curious visitors keen to sample instruments. With so much on offer in one place, everyone can uncover a new favorite—from a first fencing lunge to a first clean piano chord.
How It Works: Quick Guide
– Dates: May 29–30, 2026 (Friday and Saturday), 9:00–17:00
– Location: Merkapt Sports Center (Merkapt Sportközpont), 1106 Budapest, Maglódi út 12/A
– Entry: Free with registration
– Programs: Try 100+ sports, watch sport demos and open training sessions, explore 25 instruments with guided music sessions
– Friday: Priority for registered school and kindergarten groups
– Saturday: Open to the general public all day
Expect a lively crowd, plenty of stations to rotate through, and the freedom to choose your own pace. You can spend the morning sprinting between pitches and the afternoon mastering a drum groove—or flip it.
The Goal: Find What Moves You
The Budapest Big Sport and Instrument Tryout aims to connect people of all ages with activities that can become a lasting part of life. It’s about discovery, not pressure: experiment widely, learn safely, and follow the spark—be it the snap of a starting whistle or the ring of a cimbalom string. Mark the date, register, and dive in.
