Ever spent hours searching for the perfect sport or musical path, but felt unsure where to start? The annual Big Budapest Sport and Instrument Selection (Budapesti Nagy Sportágválasztó és Nagy Hangszerválasztó) returns this September 12–13, promising a hands-on experience with over 100 sports, 25 musical instruments, and opportunities to meet Hungary’s Olympians and champion athletes. If music sparks your interest but has always seemed out of reach, or you want your child to fall in love with something new, this event is your ticket to discovery.
18 Years of Sporting Surprises
Launched in 2007 with just 10–15 sports and around 300 participants, this event has grown to become Hungary’s largest try-and-choose weekend for both sports enthusiasts and curious beginners. Now, over a two-day stretch at Merkapt Sports Center (Merkapt Sportközpont, Maglódi út 12/A), more than 20,000 visitors will explore over 100 sports, try dozens of instruments, and enjoy live demonstrations and concerts—all with the guidance of trained coaches and music teachers for every activity.
No Barriers to Entry — But Don’t Forget to Register
Admission is free, but you’ll need to register online or in person. Friday mornings welcome pre-registered kindergarten and school groups, while from 2pm on Friday and all day Saturday, it’s open for families, solo explorers, and anyone eager to try something new. Whether you’re a preschooler, part of a bustling family, or an adult looking for new hobbies, the doors are wide open.
Sport for Everyone, Not Just Future Olympians
The core aim of the event is simple: get people moving instead of just talking about sport. It’s not about grooming gold medalists—even though a few future champions discovered their sport here. It’s about positive experiences, finding joy in action, and maybe stumbling upon a new lifelong passion. From soccer to swimming, kayaking, fencing, and water polo—Hungary’s favorites are all available. But the unusual, like ballet, weightlifting, breakdance, triple games, and OCR (Obstacle Course Racing), are featured as well.
Heroes in the Crowd
This isn’t just an event for regular folks—Olympic, World, and European champions mingle with the crowd, pose for selfies, and sign autographs. Imagine your child shaking hands with László Cseh (Cseh László) or meeting Áron Szilágyi (Szilágyi Áron), Dr. Gergely Kiss (Dr. Kiss Gergely), Gréta Gurisatti (Gurisatti Gréta), and many more top athletes who are happy to chat and take photos.
Try the Instruments You See on Stage
For budding musicians—young or old—a section of the event is dedicated to hands-on instrument exploration. Expert tutors introduce both popular and lesser-known instruments: from classic strings (violin, viola, cello, double bass), woodwinds (flute, recorder, clarinet, saxophone), brass (trumpet, horn, trombone), and percussion (drums, hand drums, xylophone, handpan), to guitar, bass guitar, piano, and cimbalom (hammered dulcimer). There’s even a demo stage in the Music Grove (Zeneliget), with live dance ensembles adding to the cultural mix.
New Sports and Why You Should Try Them
Sports are constantly evolving. You’ll find spikeball—a fast-paced, trampoline-like circle game great for coordination and group play—and teqball, a Hungarian invention that combines soccer skills with a curved table. There’s parkour, now organized enough for actual kids’ classes, where freedom and creativity are the focus. Or try nature fitness: hiking meets functional training, with trees and parks serving as your gym. These new options aren’t just for show—they’re accessible, sociable, and designed for family fun.
Movement Is Family Time, Not a Chore
The event—and initiatives like the Kinder Joy of Moving program—promote joy over pressure. The idea isn’t to treat physical activity as another “must-do,” but to build daily habits as a family: dance in the living room, race home from school, use stairs instead of the elevator, stretch together before bed. Regular little bursts of activity add up quickly, with the focus on fun rather than perfection.
Special Extras: Cars and Community
Beyond sports and music, check out Toyota’s range of electrified models at the event, complete with innovative displays for car enthusiasts. And for those passionate about local recreation, the Active Hungary (Aktív Magyarország) initiative will be on hand, sharing new ways to keep moving in everyday life.
Turn an ordinary weekend into something memorable. Whether you come for the chance to meet champions, to try a sport you’ve always wondered about, or simply to discover a new family favorite, the main message is simple: play for the joy of it!
