Five Iconic Sporting Locations in Hungary

With a tally of 465 medals, Hungary currently holds ninth place on the all-time Olympic medals table and is the most successful nation to have never hosted the summer Olympics itself. Across the country, and in the capital of Budapest in particular, you can visit locations that have hosted many of the most memorable moments in the country’s sporting history.

The Chain Bridge

Completed in 1849 to connect the towns of Pest and Buda that faced each other across the river Danube, the Chain Bridge is not only one of the most beautiful river crossings in the world but also the centerpiece of a major sporting event. During the Red Bull Air Races, skilled pilots fly their aircraft under the bridge at speeds of up to 220mph, despite the gap between the bottom of the bridge and the river being just 30 feet. Being in such an iconic location, the air race events always draw in huge crowds of spectators who line the bank of the Danube. The bridge itself is 380 meters in length and 14.8 meters wide making it a perfect landmark for this sort of event. It’s a breath-taking sight, made all the more so by the spectacular backdrop of the beautiful parliament building on the Pest side of the river and the city beyond.

Kincsem Park

This horse racing venue was named after the Hungarian filly Kincsem – the most successful thoroughbred of all time with a still-unbeaten record of 54 wins from 54 races.

Each year the most popular events at the venue, such as the Hungarian Derby, result in some of the most intense sports betting activity throughout the country and beyond. Such events are also streamed live on the internet, giving those unable to attend the races in person the opportunity to experience all the action as it happens.

From a historical point of view, it is worth noting that sports betting in Hungary had a steep shift after the collapse of communism when the Hungarian market was monopolized. After the collapse of Communism, betting remained illegal and it existed as an underground market. The 1991 Gambling Act legalized the industry but insisted that any sports betting operator be majority owned by the state. Since Hungary joined the EU in 2004 pressure has increased on the government to relinquish its monopoly on the gambling industry and allow foreign companies to operate in the country. However, as of yet, no foreign company has successfully set up a betting operation in Hungary.

The Danube Arena

This stunning aquatics complex, featuring undulating sheets of aluminium that mimic the movements of waves, was built in just 14 months. Originally intended to host the World Aquatics Championships in 2021, it was brought forward for the 2017 competition after the city of Guadalajara in Mexico announced it could no longer afford to host the event itself. Consisting of a training pool, diving pool and two full course swimming pools, the arena has proved its world-class quality. Swimming is Hungary’s most successful sport at international level so having the chance to train in a world-class facility is only fitting for the countries aquatic athletes.