Sport-tourism
Sport-tourism
Tourism bridges nations and countries together, mirroring the role of sports - both serve as fantastic opportunities to meet new people, experience different cultures, visit renowned or hidden places, acquire varied experiences, represent one's country on an international platform, and so forth.
Sports forms an integral part of the tourist city of Batumi. The bond between sports and this city is strengthening over time. Through sports, Batumi crafts a distinctive image, enhances the value of various sectors, and accentuates the existence of symbolic places in the city that draw diverse crowds.
Although sports tourism may not have always garnered significant popularity, the past decade has witnessed a dramatic surge in the number of visitors attending sports events globally. The domain of sports is equally vibrant in Georgia, a fact corroborated by the success of Georgian athletes who secure prominent positions in numerous sports disciplines.
Football
Football is one of the most beloved sports in Georgia. At the national level, there are five leagues and three divisions. The largest football stadium is located in the country's capital, while Batumi boasts a state-of-the-art international standard stadium with a seating capacity of 20,000 spectators. This architecturally unique building was completed in 2020 and has since actively hosted various sports events, including matches of the UEFA Champions League.
Rugby
Georgia is a prominent rugby nation and is among the world's elite. The country regularly participates in the Rugby World Cup and often finds itself under the media spotlight. Rugby has evolved into a national symbol in Georgia. This sport is a matter of pride for all Georgians. Beach rugby also enjoys popularity in Batumi. Beach rugby matches are organized every year in July-August. Both professional and amateur teams take part in these competitions.
Basketball
With growing successes, this sport is gaining increasing popularity, and the Black Sea resort of Batumi is no exception. Significant basketball events are often held here. Additionally, Batumi has several mini basketball stadiums where anyone can engage in this sport.
Tennis
Although tennis may not be the most popular sport in Georgia, it still registers high participation rates in tournaments across the world. There are four primary tennis courts in Georgia, located in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Telavi.
Weightlifting
In weightlifting, Georgia holds leading positions globally. The most successful Georgian athlete in this sport is Lasha Talakhadze, a multiple record holder and world, European, and Olympic champion. In 2019, the European Weightlifting Championship was held in Batumi, which saw participation from delegates from 46 countries.
Winter Sports
Georgian ski resorts cater to a broad audience, providing well-maintained infrastructure. Among the notable mountain resorts in Georgia, the skiing tracks in Ajara are distinguished by their abundant snowfall. Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the ski resorts of Georgia. In 2023, the Bakuriani Ski Resort will host the Freestyle, Snowboard, and Frisk World Championships for the first time in its history. The tournament witnessed the participation of 700 athletes from 42 countries.
Chess
The first chess club in Georgia was founded in 1877. Tbilisi hosted the World Chess Championship in 2017, and the 43rd Chess Olympiad was held in Batumi in 2018. Georgia has globally renowned chess grandmasters, among whom Nona Gaprindashvili stands out - she was the first woman to achieve the grandmaster title and has won the World Championship six times. Georgian chess infrastructure includes the Tbilisi Chess Palace and the Chess Hall in Batumi, which was the venue for the 2018 Olympiad.
If you're someone who cherishes sports, this concise list should suffice to assure you of the multitude of opportunities that Georgia and Ajara present. Here, apart from conventional sports, you can participate in a variety of extreme activities, such as diving, backcountry skiing, or canyoning.