Prague kicks off annual Week of Free Sports

As the year comes to a close, a popular Prague initiative returns to give locals an opportunity to end 2022 on a healthy note. The city's annual Week of Free Sports is back through Saturday, December 31, giving locals a chance to get a head's up on health-related New Year's resolutions.

During Prague's Week of Free sports, a variety of sports venues including gyms, swimming pools, badminton and volleyball courts, and many other venues are opening their doors for free to those interested in trying out a new activity or get a head-start on an active 2023.

This is the fourteenth year that Prague has organized the Week of Free Sports, though the number of participating locations was limited in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and related restrictions.

This year, more than 30 Prague sports venues are opening their doors for free this week. They include: climbing walls; badminton, tennis, squash, and volleyball courts; ice skating rinks; aerobics studios; horse riding clubs; hockey and floorball arenas; and much more.

To see a full list of participating venues in this year's edition of Prague's Week of Free Sports, check out the initiative's official website.

"This year, Prague has prepared a small Christmas present for all sports enthusiasts in the form of a week of sports in all kinds of sports venues, completely free of charge," Vít Šimral, Prague City Councilor for education and sports, says through a press release.

"This annual event, popular with Prague residents, is an ideal opportunity to try a new sport, do something for your health, and get back in shape after the Christmas feast."

According to information provided by the city, tens of thousands of people participate in the Week of Free Sports each year.

Prague's Week of Free Sports is held by the city in cooperation with the operators of individual sports venues. Access for free may not be provided for the entire week, but only on selected dates and times.

Note that due to limited availability, many of the activities will need to be booked in advance by phone or through an individual venue's website. Contact information for each venue can be found at the Week of Free Sports website.