On May 29–30, 2026, Budapest’s Merkapt Sport Center (Merkapt Sportközpont) in Kőbánya throws open its gates for the Big Sports Selector and Big Instrument Selector, a two-day, hands-on discovery festival where visitors can try more than 100 sports and 25 instruments. If you’re hunting for the sport that fits you best, or you want to step closer to the world of music, this is the place to do it—actively, not just as a spectator.
Address: 1106 Budapest, Maglódi út 12/A, Merkapt Sport Center (Merkapt Sportközpont). Hours: 9:00–17:00 both days. Entry is free but requires registration. Friday primarily welcomes pre-registered kindergarten and school groups; Saturday opens fully to everyone.
Visitors can get face to face with movement in all its forms—from big-name team sports to niche and lesser-known disciplines—and pick up instruments under the guidance of trained coaches and music teachers. Expect the atmosphere of a free, family-first festival, and don’t be surprised if you bump into Olympic, world, and European champions happy to talk, sign autographs, and pose for photos.
100+ Sports You Can Actually Try
This isn’t a watch-and-leave situation. The whole point is to jump in. With more than 100 sports set up across the venue, you can test what clicks through mini sessions, open practices, and demos led by qualified coaches. The lineup spans mainstream and specialty picks alike. Think soccer, swimming, water polo, handball, and fencing alongside kayak-canoe, ballet, weightlifting, breaking, and OCR obstacle racing. The mix is designed so kids and adults can discover new favorites on the spot, not just read about them.
For families navigating the often-tricky sport selection phase, this format is gold: kids get a safe, guided trial of multiple movement styles in one place, and parents can see in real time what sparks joy and commitment.
Star Power: Meet Champions
Each year, the event draws high-profile athletes—Olympic, world, and European champions—who show up not just for formalities but to engage. For young visitors, those small-big moments count: a few questions answered, a shared photo, a fresh autograph. That direct line of inspiration can be the nudge that turns a tryout into a long-term habit.
Why Go? Because You’re Part of It
– You do, you don’t just watch: sports guided by certified coaches; instruments introduced by trained music instructors.
– It’s perfect for kids choosing a sport, families planning an active weekend, and anyone curious about new physical or musical paths.
– It’s one location with an unusually broad choice—sport and music under the same roof, so you can switch from a sprint start to a snare roll without crossing the city.
25 Instruments to Discover
The Big Instrument Selector invites visitors to get hands-on with 25 instruments across families, with support from music teachers who make first notes less intimidating and more fun.
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 (cimbalom).
The music zone also layers in modern and folk dance at the Music Grove (Zeneliget), so rhythm moves from the hands to the feet. The idea mirrors the sports side: don’t just listen, try it—feel how an instrument sits in your hands and whether it draws you back for a second go.
For Kids, Families, and the Curious
The weekend is deliberately family-friendly. Kids can sample dozens of activities in a playful, low-pressure way, while parents get a real sense of what suits their child’s energy and temperament. But it’s not only for the little ones. Adults looking to restart a fitness routine, try a new discipline, or finally sit at a piano or pick up a guitar will find an open, judgment-free environment.
Recommended for:
– Children and teens choosing a sport or instrument
– Families seeking an active, easy-to-plan Budapest weekend
– Kindergarten and school groups exploring movement and music through play
– Sports fans curious about new disciplines
– Music lovers ready to meet instruments up close
Plan Your Visit
– Dates: May 29–30, 2026 (Friday–Saturday)
– Hours: 9:00–17:00
– Venue: Merkapt Sport Center (Merkapt Sportközpont), 1106 Budapest, Maglódi út 12/A
– Programs: try 100+ sports, watch sports demos, join open practices, explore 25 instruments, and check out music programs and dance at the Music Grove (Zeneliget)
– Entry: free with registration
FAQ snapshot:
– When? May 29–30, 9:00–17:00 both days.
– Where? Merkapt Sport Center, District X, Maglódi út 12/A.
– How much? Free, but registration is required.
– What sports? 100+ options—from soccer and swimming to combat sports and specialty movement forms.
– Music too? Yes—25 instruments with hands-on guidance from instructors.
One Weekend, Lasting Choices
The goal is simple: help children and adults alike find the sport or instrument that lights them up and can stick as part of daily life. By gathering coaches, teachers, champions, and a huge range of options in one spot, the Budapest Big Sports Selector and Big Instrument Selector turns browsing into doing—and doing into deciding. Mark your calendar, register, and bring shoes you can move in—and the curiosity to match. The organizers reserve the right to change the schedule and program.
