The Sport in Vienna

Vienna is usually regarded as a capital of snobbery with its marble palaces, shiny aristocratic balls and expensive caffes. However, the Austrian capital is not an old-fashioned place to visit. It is also an international university centre with active youth culture where many sport tournaments are held.


Vienna hosts many different sporting events including the Vienna City marathon, which attracts more than 10,000 participants every year and normally takes place in May. In 2005, the final of the Ice Hockey World Championship was played in Vienna. There are many other sport events which make the hotels Vienna full. Vienna's Ernst Happel Stadium was the venue of four Champions League and European Champion Clubs' Cup finals (1964, 1987, 1990 and 1995) and on 29 June it hosted the final of Euro 2008 which saw a Spanish 1–0 victory over Germany.

Austria's capital is home to numerous teams. The best known are the local football clubs FK Austria Wien (21 whole-Austrian titles and record 27-time cup winners) SK Rapid Wien (record 32 whole-Austrian titles), and the oldest team, First Vienna FC. Other important sport clubs include the Raiffeisen Vikings Vienna (American Football), who won the Eurobowl title between 2004 and 2007 4 times in a row, the Aon hotVolleys Vienna, one of Europe's premier Volleyball organisations, the Superfund Wanderers (baseball) who won the 2009 Championship of the Austrian Baseball League, and the Vienna Capitals (Ice Hockey). Vienna was also where the European Handball Federation (EHF) was founded. There are also three rugby clubs; Vienna Celtic, the oldest rugby club in Austria, RC Donau, and Stade Viennois.

One unique attraction is the Spanish Riding School – traditional riding school for Lippizan horses and a magnificent arena for classic dressage shows.

A perfect choice for anyone who wants to spend a pleasant holiday in the Austrian capital is the magnificent hotel Vienna Danube.