The Athens area is home to three prestigious European clubs: Olympiacos, Panathinaikos and AEK Athens, all multisport clubs. A host of other local clubs are also active in the areas, some listed above. Beach volleyball and windsurfing are both very popular in broader Attica , and nearby beaches are popular with surfers, who have created their own subculture.
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Athens has twice played host to the summer Olympic Games: in 1896 and in 2004. The 2004 Summer Olympics inspired the development of the Athens Olympic Stadium, which has gained a reputation as one of the most beautiful in the world. The city has also hosted the UEFA Champions League final twice, in 1994 and in 2007, at the Athens Olympic Stadium[27] and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final in 1971 at the Karaiskákis Stadium, a state-of-the-art sports and entertainment complex. Athens has also hosted two Euroleague final fours, the first in 1993 at Peace and Friendship Stadium[28] and the second in 2007 at the Athens Olympic Indoor Hall,[29] and several competitions in other sports.
Club |
Sport |
Founded |
League |
Venue |
Olympiacos |
Football |
1925 |
Super League Greece |
Karaiskákis Stadium |
Panathinaikos FC |
Football |
1908 |
Super League Greece |
Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium |
AEK Athens FC |
Football |
1924 |
Super League Greece |
Athens Olympic Stadium |
Panionios |
Football |
1890 |
Super League Greece |
Nea Smyrni Stadium |
Atromitos |
Football |
1950 |
Super League Greece |
Peristeri_Stadium">Peristeri Stadium |
Panathinaikos BC |
Basketball |
1922 |
A1 Ethniki |
Athens Olympic Indoor Hall |
Olympiacos BC |
Basketball |
1925 |
A1 Ethniki |
Peace and Friendship Stadium |
AEK Athens BC |
Basketball |
1928 |
A1 Ethniki |
Athens Olympic Indoor Hall |
Panellinios |
Basketball |
1891 |
A1 Ethniki |
Panellinios Indoor Hall |
Panionios |
Basketball |
1890 |
A1 Ethniki |
Helliniko Arena |
Maroussi BC |
Basketball |
1970 |
A1 Ethniki |
Maroussi Indoor Hall |
Olympiacos SC |
Volleyball |
1930 |
A1 Ethniki |
Rendis Indoor Hall |
Panathinaikos VC |
Volleyball |
1919 |
A1 Ethniki |
Glyfada Indoor Hall |
AEK Athens VC |
Volleyball |
|
A1 Ethniki |
Nea Filadelfia Indoor Hall |
Panellinios |
Volleyball |
|
A1 Ethniki |
Panellinios Indoor Hall |
Olympiacos WPC |
Water polo |
|
A1 Ethniki |
Papastrateio Indoo Hall |
Ethnikos Piraeus |
Water polo |
|
A1 Ethniki |
Papastrateio Hall |
Panathinaikos |
Water Polo |
|
A1 Ethniki |
Athens Olympic Aquatic Centre |
Panionios |
Water polo |
|
A1 Ethniki |
Nea Smyrni Hall |
Vouliagmeni |
Water polo |
1937 |
A1 Ethniki |
Vouliagmeni Hall |
Spartakos Glyfadas |
Baseball |
1990 |
National Baseball League |
Helliniko Baseball Center |
Maroussi 2004 |
Baseball |
1990 |
National Baseball League |
Helliniko Baseball Center |
Athinaikos |
Handball |
1927 |
National Handball League |
Helliniko Arena |
Athens Rugby |
Rugby |
1990 |
National Rugby League |
Athens Olympic Stadium |
Starbucks Rugby |
Rugby |
1983 |
National Rugby League |
Athens Olympic Stadium |
The Athens area encompasses a variety of terrain, notably hills and mountains rising around the metropolis, and the capital is the only major city in Europe to be bisected by a mountain range. Four mountain ranges extend into city boundaries, and thousands of miles of trails crisscross the city and neighbouring areas, providing exercise and wilderness access on foot, bike, or horse. Beyond Athens and across the county a great variety of outdoor activities are available and popular, including skiing, rock climbing, hang gliding, and windsurfing. Numerous outdoor clubs serve these sports, including the Athens Chapter of the Sierra Club, which leads over 4,000 outings annually in the area.
