Lifestyle

Sport

Birmingham is an international centre for world sport. The Belfry golf course is a preferred venue of Ryder Cup tournaments; Edgbaston Cricket ground plays host to Test Match cricket; and international tennis is played at Edgbaston Priory. Britain’s top indoor venue - the National Indoor Arena - and the city’s Alexander Stadium, stage both national and international athletics, whilst Villa Park, hosts national, international and European football.

The National Indoor Arena is the home of British indoor sport. It is designed to accommodate more than 30 different types of sport from athletics to boxing, badminton to judo. Already famous for hosting five World and three European Championships, it was host to the first round of the Davis Cup in 2002; and it welcomed the IAAF World Indoor Championships in March 2003.

The 13,000-arena has the country's only six-lane 200-metre athletics track, which is dismantled and stored away when not in use. A staggering seven world records have been set on the track.

Other spectator sports, including basketball, rugby, ice-hockey, badminton and squash are available at venues across the city. And of course, for those who like to take part, the city provides a wealth of health and fitness clubs, golf courses and sports facilities.

add to print cart | view print cart