Do you feel like there must be a sport out there for you, but you haven’t found it yet? Are you looking for fun, off-the-beaten-path activities, or do you dream of seeing your sports heroes in real life? Does the world of music call to you, but seem just out of reach? If any of this sounds familiar, the Budapest Great Sport and Instrument Selection (Budapesti Nagy Sportágválasztó és Nagy Hangszerválasztó) promises to introduce you to your new favorite hobby—whether it’s kicking a ball, strumming a guitar, or both.
A Two-Day, Hands-On Celebration
On September 12-13, from 9 AM to 5 PM, Merkapt Sports Center (Merkapt Sportközpont) will come alive for two days dedicated to exploring more than 100 sports and over 25 musical instruments. What began as a small community event in 2007 for just a few hundred visitors now welcomes more than 20,000 attendees and features a packed program. The goal? To inspire people with the joy of movement and the excitement of music—not just in theory, but through real experience.
Sports, Without Stress—Just the Joy
Forget about the pressure to become the next Olympic medalist. This weekend is all about enjoying sports for happiness and well-being. It’s true that some participants have gone on to become stars—there are plenty of stories—but the focus remains on joy, success through movement, and maybe discovering a new passion. Over the years, countless future champions have found their calling right at this event.
Completely Free—But Register First!
Admission is free for everyone, whether you’re coming alone, with family, or as part of a school group, but registration is required. You can register online beforehand or sign up on the spot. Friday morning is primarily for preschool and school groups, while after 2 PM on Friday and all day Saturday, the event is open to everyone.
Meet the Champions, Try Their Sports
Olympic, World, and European medalists will be present for handshakes, selfies, and autographs. This year’s confirmed guests include favorites such as 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. Their presence turns an ordinary day into an inspiration for the whole family, motivating kids and adults alike to try something new.
Try Over 100 Sports, From Classics to the Unexpected
There’s something for every taste: from Hungary’s (Magyarország) most popular and successful sports like soccer (football), swimming, water polo, handball, fencing, and kayaking/canoeing, to lesser-known activities such as ballet, weightlifting, breakdancing, triple games, and OCR (Obstacle Course Racing). Expert coaches are ready to help you take your first steps and maybe even fall in love with a brand-new sport.
The Music Zone: Pick Up and Play
At the same time, the “Instrument Picker” lets you try more than 25 different instruments. Professional instructors will guide you through string instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass), woodwinds (flute, recorder, clarinet, saxophone, and its variations), brass (trumpet, French horn, trombone), percussion (drums, triangle, hand drums, xylophone), handpan, plucked instruments (bass and rhythm guitar), piano, and cimbalom. There are also workshops and showcases for both modern and folk dance. It’s a rare opportunity to hear, see, and try everything from classics to unique instruments—up close.
Fresh Moves: New Sports to Watch
Even in a world full of sports, new and playful options keep emerging. They’re social and family-friendly, too.
Spikeball: Think of it as round ping-pong on a trampoline. Fast-paced, easy to pick up, and perfect for both kids and adults, you’ll see it popping up everywhere from beaches to playgrounds.
Teqball: Hungary’s own invention—a blend of table tennis and soccer, played on a curved table. It sharpens ball handling and balance for all ages.
Parkour: Leaping from benches, vaulting over rails, scaling walls—parkour is freedom of movement at its finest. Kids love it, and there are now organized classes.
Naturefitness: Reinvent hiking by combining it with casual exercises—think squats by a fallen log, running hills, or climbing low branches. No special gear needed, just curiosity.
Moving Together—The Real Goal
The biggest win? Making movement and music a joy, not a chore. The entire Kinder Joy of Moving program is about exactly this—helping families around the world find happiness in being active together. Try something new, play together, dance, walk, climb, or invent your own game. Every moment spent moving is worth more than “perfect” form or timing.
Easy Ways to Make Activity Routine
Want to weave movement into your daily life? It doesn’t require an Olympic routine—a few minutes of dancing in the living room, hopping up the stairs, a playful challenge (who can balance the longest?), or a simple stretch together after dinner all count. The key is repetition, not perfection, so that being active becomes as routine as brushing your teeth. Little by little, a happier, more active family life becomes second nature.
