Current sports trends: the development of street sports and fitness resources in Luxembourg

State policy on mass sport

The Luxembourg government has set a clear course to support sport as an integral part of citizens' lives. The budget for sport is increasing significantly: for example, in 2025, spending will reach 66 million euros, which is about 60 per cent more than two years ago. These funds are not only used to support professional sport, but also to develop infrastructure and programmes for amateurs;

The Minister of Sport, Georges Mischo, emphasised a new strategy: to combine support for elite sport with the development of mass physical activity. Priorities include the construction of new facilities (such as the planned construction of a modern velodrome) and the efficient use of existing facilities. In co-operation with the Ministry of Education, a plan is being developed to open school gyms and swimming pools to sports clubs and the public during non-school hours to increase public access to sports facilities.

At the same time, the state also cares about the accessibility of sport. As part of its social policy, it operates youth centres (Maison de Jeunes), where teenagers and young people aged 12-26 can take part in sports and other useful activities free of charge or for a nominal fee. This is particularly important to support children from disadvantaged families and prevent social exclusion - such centres help to get young people interested in sport and reduce the risk of dropping out of school;

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Also in 2024, a pilot project has been launched to allow GPs to 'prescribe' physical activity to their patients. In other words, doctors will recommend and refer people with chronic conditions to suitable sporting activities - an innovative measure to improve the nation's health.

Special attention is paid to mass sporting events, which are financed and organised with the support of the government. A prime example is the annual Nuit du Sport (Night of Sport), first held in 2009, which has since become a tradition. It is an evening when dozens of towns and communes across the country simultaneously organise sports festivals for everyone. For example, in June 2024, the fifteenth edition of Nuit du Sport was attended by more than 20,000 people in 45 locations;

Over 140 activities were offered free of charge that night - from acroyoga and aquafitness to capoeira, BMX bike races and even biathlon. Participants of all ages and fitness levels were able to try new sports in a fun and festive atmosphere. Such events are also inclusive - they attract people of all social groups, nationalities and physical abilities, helping everyone to experience the joy of movement and embrace a healthy lifestyle.

Sports for All Programme

The Sports pour Tous (Sports for All) programme has become a central element of sports policy at the local level. This initiative operates in the capital and other major cities, offering residents a wide range of clubs and hobby groups. Every year, a new season of classes is announced in autumn: for example, in the 2023/24 season, more than 200 different sports classes and courses have started in the capital alone. The programme covers three age categories - youth, adults and seniors - so that everyone can find a suitable workout.

Dozens of activities are available for children and teenagers: from popular street activities (breakdancing, skateboarding, roller skating) to team games (football, volleyball, badminton) and martial arts (aikido). There are even special schools: a cycling school for 4-8 year olds and a skating school for 4-16 year olds;

Adults are offered both classic workouts (stretching, strength training, running, swimming) and trendy fitness trends (Zumba, Crossfit, Nordic walking). Visitors of age (55+) can enjoy the same types of activities, but adapted to their level - for example, light gymnastics, health swimming, etc. Classes take place all day, seven days a week, at more than 30 venues across the city - in gyms, swimming pools and outdoors. The classes are led by qualified instructors from the city's Sports Department, club coaches and certified swimming instructors in swimming pools.

Gabin Vallet

It is important that anyone can take part - not only residents of the capital. There is a slightly higher fee for non-residents, but the doors of the programmes are open to everyone. By the way, the cost of classes is symbolic: for example, a season pass for an adult resident of Luxembourg costs about 110 euros, giving the right to attend unlimited all courses of their level. Preferential or free options are available for young people and vulnerable groups. In this way, Sport for All really lives up to its name by removing barriers to active leisure.

Separately, the programme has special initiatives for those who need special support. For example, the Multi-Handi-Sports project offers sports activities for children with disabilities, while the Movin'Kids programme is designed to combat childhood obesity by helping overweight children get involved in physical activity through play. All of this emphasises the commitment to making sport inclusive and accessible to all groups.

Street sports and extreme sports: from skateparks to parkour

One of the most notable trends is street and extreme sports, which are gaining popularity among young people in Luxembourg. We are talking about such activities as skateboarding, roller sports, BMX freestyle, parkour, streetball, break dancing - all informal activities that young people often learn on their own in the streets and parks. Not so long ago they developed spontaneously, but now they are receiving infrastructural support.

A major Pétrusse skatepark has been created in the capital, set in the picturesque valley of the Pétrusse River next to ancient fortifications. Opened at the end of 2018, this park has become a paradise for skaters and BMX riders: thanks to its multi-level design and variety of zones, it is considered one of the largest and best skateparks in Europe. Its construction, which cost about 2 million euros, was financed by the Luxembourg city administration, which in itself speaks of the serious attitude of the authorities to street sports. Now young people from all over the city (and even from neighbouring countries) flock to the concrete ramps and bowls of the skatepark to hone their tricks in safe conditions and in the company of like-minded people.

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In addition, the Boy Konen Bike Park, a unique area for mountain bike and BMX enthusiasts, has been created in the Sessange neighbourhood. It is the country's first and only complex of trails with various obstacles for mountain bikes. There are tabletops, technical "nort-shore" ladders and a high-speed enduro descent - in short, everything for both beginners and experienced riders to hone their skills. Entrance is free and the park is open every day from morning until late evening, which attracts many visitors. The bike park has become a great addition to the city's existing bike trails (for example, there is a permanent Parcours Josy Mersch cross country track nearby and a BMX track in the Neudorf neighbourhood). These facilities make Luxembourg a real treasure trove for cycling enthusiasts, inspiring a new generation of athletes.

In addition to fixed venues, street sports events are also promoted. For example, in July 2024, the first Parkour x Youth Day festival took place in Esch, bringing together young people for parkour demonstrations and competitions. Such events are often organised by private clubs together with communes and sponsors, but the state creates favourable conditions - providing venues, informing residents, sometimes providing grants. The inclusion of breakdancing and skateboarding in the Olympic programme has also raised the profile of these subcultures, and the authorities encourage sports federations to develop new disciplines. Although there is little direct state support for extreme sports, it is indirectly tangible: modern infrastructure has been created (skateparks, bicycle squares), city festivals and night sports events are organised where extreme athletes can show off their skills. All this contributes to the fact that street sports in Luxembourg are coming out of the shadows and becoming part of city life.

Fitness resources and active lifestyles for everyone

The development of sport in Luxembourg is not limited to competitions - a key priority is a healthy lifestyle for all segments of the population. Numerous fitness resources have been created in the country's cities, which people can use for free or at low cost. For example, in the capital, outdoor gyms have been set up. In Laval Park, Pétrusse Valley and other locations in the city, there are gyms and tourniquets where anyone can perform exercises with their own weight. They are available 24 hours a day, have instructions on how to do the exercises correctly and are suitable for all levels of fitness. Residents are eager to use them for morning warm-ups, outdoor vorcouts or group exercise classes. The authorities note that the outdoor sports grounds are in high demand and contribute to the popularisation of fitness among citizens of all ages.

Luxembourg is also famous for its extensive network of cycling and running routes. For those who like to ride in the wind, there are hundreds of kilometres of bicycle paths running along picturesque places - along rivers, through vineyards and forests. For jogging and recreational walking, there are special health trails (parcours de santé) with distance markers and sometimes exercise equipment along the way. All of this is integrated into the urban environment so that sport can be integrated into everyday life - whether it's cycling to work or jogging on your lunch break.

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Supporting older people to stay active is important. The Ministry of Family launched the Club Aktiv Plus initiative, which replaces the old format of communities for older people. There are now 23 Active Longevity Clubs across the country, which are lively centres for socialising and activities for those over 50. In these clubs, older people learn yoga, Nordic walking, cycling, gymnastics, and at the same time attend creative workshops and computer courses. The name "Active Plus" emphasises that the modern pensioner in Luxembourg is an energetic, cheerful person, far from the stereotype of the "pensioner sitting at home". The project is coordinated by the state and supported by 83 municipalities across the country, which means that practically every municipality promotes active leisure activities for the elderly. Such a wide network of clubs allows elderly people to stay fit, remain socially active and feel part of society.

Such integrated efforts by the state and local communities have yielded tangible results. More and more Luxembourg residents are exercising regularly, whether it's a morning jog, an evening game of basketball in the backyard or a family trip to the swimming pool. Sports and fitness areas have become a natural part of the city's parks and neighbourhoods. Families spend their weekends active: for example, the spring ING Night Marathon attracts thousands of runners of all levels, turning a race through the evening city into a colourful festival. And the Sports Night tradition has made Luxembourgers try something new every year, whether it's capoeira or archery.

Thus, the current sports trends in Luxembourg are characterised by versatile development. Government programmes make sport accessible to everyone - in terms of age, interests and income. Street sports and new activities are being integrated into the formal sporting environment, gaining infrastructure and recognition. Fitness resources - from street exercise equipment to health clubs - enable active lifestyles on a daily basis. All of this is supported by sound policy and funding, as the authorities see sport as a key to the nation's health and social cohesion. Luxembourg is on the way to making "sport for all" not just a slogan, but a reality in the everyday life of every citizen.