Portsmouth is a city with a proud sporting heritage, world-class sporting facilities and international events, be it road running at the Great South Run, sailing at the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series or home matches at Portsmouth Football Club.

International Sporting Events

The Portsmouth sports calendar is filled with exciting events throughout the year, only adding to the reasons for sports fans and enthusiasts to visit Portsmouth.

Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series

In 2015, Portsmouth played host to the first heat of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series, welcoming six teams of sailors from across the world, and hundreds of thousands of sailing fans to enjoy four days of exhilarating on-the-water action.

In July 2016, the series returned to Portsmouth for the 4th race in the heats schedule. Sir Ben Ainslie kept to winning ways and took home the regatta title - pushing his Land Rover BAR team into first place. However, the team lost out during the finals series to the eventual winners, New Zealand.

With more America's Cup qualifying to be announced soon, watch this space for updates.

Great South Run

The Great South Run has been a highlight of the Portsmouth sports calendar for 25 years, and is recognised as the world's leading 10 mile running event. For one weekend, the roads of Southsea and Portsmouth attractions are opened to athletes of all ages and abilities taking part in one of the scheduled races over the two days.

The Simplyhealth Great South Run comes to Portsmouth on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th October 2020.

For a full look at the Portsmouth sports calendar, including duathlon races, cycling events and more, take a look at our What's On - Sports listing section.

Watersports in Portsmouth

As the UK's only island city, Portsmouth is surrounded on all four sides with water making it a prime destination for sports of all kinds on the water.

The Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre is the first port of call for any water-sports enthusiast with courses and access to water-based activities including sailing, rowing, powerboating, kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding. Portsmouth Watersports Centre also houses a 13-metre outdoor climbing tower; one for the brave!

Visitors can experience the thrill of wakeboarding and kitesurfing at South Coast Wakeboarding; home to one of Europe's longest 2.0 straight-line cables meaning that no matter the weather you'll be able to train and shred the water all year long.

Run this City

Whether you prefer to run the streets, the seafront or track, Portsmouth has an ideal route for you. With miles of beautiful seafront promenade, Southsea is a runner's paradise where you can train with a sea-breeze on your back and beautiful views across the Solent towards the Isle of Wight and Hayling Island.

Southsea seafront is also home to Southsea ParkRun, a weekly, free volunteer-led 5k run open to everyone on Saturday mornings.

There's also the Great Run Local to the north of the city, which also offers a free, timed 5k route but on Sunday mornings.

Click here for our Pound the Pavements section, packed with the running events coming up in Portsmouth's sports calendar.

Home of Portsmouth Football Club

If you're looking to experience first-hand a pure passion for sport, we would suggest that you visit Fratton Park, the home of Portsmouth Football Club. For some, football is a big part of daily life in Portsmouth, and for many in the city it is a part of their identity.

Portsmouth by Bike

Saddle up and explore Portsmouth by bike. With miles of dedicated cycle paths, Portsmouth is an amazing city to explore on two wheels. Also, being as flat a city as you're likely to get, Portsmouth is the perfect place for cycling beginners. Don't worry if you're a little more experienced, though, as there are a great number of routes that are slightly more challenging - whether it's a trip up the Portsdown Hill incline or even a loop around to the South Downs.

Take a Dip

Take a refreshing dip in one of the many swimming pools across Portsmouth.

The Mountbatten Centre houses an impressive 50m Olympic-sized swimming pool, perfect for any swimming enthusiast wanting to work on their front crawl.

The Pyramids Centre is Portsmouth's largest entertainment and leisure complex with three fun pools, ideal for children and toddlers where visitors can slip and slide down the fantastic waterslides and experience the motions of the ocean in the wave pool.

Serve up an ace

Portsmouth is blessed with a whole host of great tennis facilities. The Indoor Tennis Centre lets you get out on court whatever the weather, whilst over at Canoe Lake you can enjoy some traditional lawn tennis on the well-maintained grounds.

A huge number of parks and sports centres also offer tennis facilities. To book yourself time on the court, take a look at the LTA's Rally site, where you can find all the booking information you need.