The Catalan bourgeoisie of the 19th Century and their new forms of leisure and social relationships laid the foundations for a city with a markedly sporting accent. The beginning of the 20th Century witnessed the gradual emergence of numerous swimming, tennis and football clubs, whose subsequent success has been a flagship for the city the world over. Nowadays, Barcelona has become a top-level tourist destination for both sportspersons and lovers of major sports events. Thanks to its climate and orography, Barcelona is also a reference in sustainable mobility. The success of the new bike-based public transport service, known as Bicing, has demonstrated once again the extroverted nature of the citizens who, whenever they can, make the most of the service to revisit their city and do so in the open air, thus helping to respect the environment.

Outdoor
The citizens of Barcelona are also the first to support other sports competitions that take place in its streets and avenues. Amongst the sports events for all the family organised throughout the year, special mention must be made of the Corte Inglés race, the La Mercè race, San Silvestre Barcelona and the Swim across the Port at Christmas, as well as the Bicycle or Skate Fiestas. Barcelona also has 4.2 kilometres of beaches along its sea-front, making it unique for sand-based sports. For some years now, water sports have also gained a large number of adepts, thanks to the opening of the Olympic Port, the remodelling of the Old Port and the new Marina of San Adrià del Besòs, on account of the Univeral Forum of Cultures 2004. 

Historic Barça
Fútbol Club Barcelona was founded as a football club on November 29, 1899 by twelve young football players, led by Hans Gamper, from Switzerland. Popularly known as Barça, it is the second-largest club in terms of members after Benfica. Barça's stadium is the Camp Nou, the largest ground in Europe, with a capacity for 98,787 spectators. One very important part of the Camp Nou is the Barcelona Museum, the second most visited museum of Catalonia, ahead of the Dalí Museum, and one of the most visited museums in Europe. Figures of the stature of Johan Cruyff, Kubala and the winner of the historic triple this season, Leo Messi, are but some of the most sought-after names. The city of Barcelona is also home to RCD Espanyol, founded in 1900, and which hitherto played in the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium.