El Salvador

The sports industry in El Salvador is growing rapidly, with the most popular sports being football, basketball, and baseball. Other popular sports include volleyball, surfing, and cycling. The country also has a strong tradition of martial arts, such as judo and taekwondo. The national football team is one of the most successful in Central America, and the country has hosted several international tournaments.


El Salvador Colon (SVC)

.sv

Salvadoran

Salvadorans

5.7M

Browse El Salvador Profiles

Popular in El Salvador

Popular El Salvador Profile Types

About Sports in El Salvador

History of Sports in El Salvador

El Salvador is home to a variety of traditional and regional sports. Soccer is the most popular sport in the country, and it is played in both professional and amateur leagues. Other popular sports include basketball, volleyball, and baseball.

In addition to these more widely known sports, El Salvador also has some traditional and regional sports. One of the most popular is a game called “Pelota Vasca”, which is a form of handball. It is played with a rubber ball and two teams of four players each.

Another traditional sport is “Trompo”, which is a game similar to marbles. It is played with a wooden top and a stick, and the goal is to knock the other player’s top out of the circle.

El Salvador also has a traditional sport called “Caballito”, which is a form of horse racing. The horses are ridden bareback and the riders must complete a course of obstacles.

Finally, El Salvador is home to a traditional sport called “Cerro”, which is a form of wrestling. It is a contact sport and the goal is to pin the opponent’s shoulders to the ground.

El Salvador Sports Industry

El Salvador has a long and proud sporting history. Football is the most popular sport in the country, and the national team has achieved some impressive results in international competitions. In 1982, El Salvador reached the World Cup finals in Spain, and in 1993, they won the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The country has produced some of the most iconic sports figures in Central America, including former footballers Jorge “Mágico” González and Raúl Díaz Arce. González was a member of the 1982 World Cup team and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in El Salvador’s history. Díaz Arce was the top scorer in the 1993 Gold Cup and is considered one of the best strikers in the region.

El Salvador has also had success in other sports, such as basketball, volleyball, and baseball. In basketball, the national team won the gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2002. In volleyball, the women’s team won the gold medal at the Central American Games in 2010. In baseball, the national team won the gold medal at the Central American Games in 2014.

El Salvador has also produced some of the world’s best athletes in other sports, such as track and field, swimming, and boxing. In track and field, El Salvador has produced world-class athletes such as María Elena Sánchez, who won the gold medal in the 400m hurdles at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2002. In swimming, El Salvador has produced world-class swimmers such as María del Carmen Sánchez, who won the gold medal in the 200m freestyle at the Central American and Caribbean Games in 2002. In boxing, El Salvador has produced world-class boxers such as Carlos “El Indio” Hernández, who won the WBC super featherweight title in 2002.

Famous El Salvador Athletes

El Salvador has produced some of the greatest athletes in the world. One of the most famous is soccer player Jorge “El Mago” González, who played for the Salvadoran national team and was a member of the 1982 World Cup squad. He was known for his skillful dribbling and passing, and was considered one of the best players in Central America. Another great athlete from El Salvador is boxer Carlos “Feroz” Hernández, who won the WBA super featherweight title in 1997 and held it for five years. He was known for his aggressive style and powerful punches.

Other great athletes from El Salvador include swimmer Claudia Poll, who won two gold medals at the 1996 Olympics, and track and field athlete María Elena Callejas, who won a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles at the 1992 Olympics. Basketball player Óscar “El Gato” Mejía is also a great athlete from El Salvador, having played for the national team and in the NBA. He was known for his defensive prowess and was considered one of the best players in the league.

Major El Salvador Sports Events

El Salvador is a small Central American country with a rich culture and a vibrant sports scene. Some of the major, annual or traditional sports events in El Salvador include:

1. The Salvadoran National Soccer League (LNFS) is the top professional soccer league in El Salvador. It is held annually and features teams from all over the country.

2. The Salvadoran National Basketball League (LNBS) is the top professional basketball league in El Salvador. It is held annually and features teams from all over the country.

3. The Salvadoran National Baseball League (LNBL) is the top professional baseball league in El Salvador. It is held annually and features teams from all over the country.

4. The Salvadoran National Volleyball League (LNVL) is the top professional volleyball league in El Salvador. It is held annually and features teams from all over the country.

5. The Salvadoran National Athletics Championships is an annual event that features track and field events. It is held in the capital city of San Salvador and attracts athletes from all over the country.

6. The Salvadoran National Swimming Championships is an annual event that features swimming events. It is held in the capital city of San Salvador and attracts swimmers from all over the country.

7. The Salvadoran National Cycling Championships is an annual event that features cycling events. It is held in the capital city of San Salvador and attracts cyclists from all over the country.

8. The Salvadoran National Beach Soccer Championships is an annual event that features beach soccer events. It is held in the capital city of San Salvador and attracts beach soccer players from all over the country.

Top Sporting Countries

Explore Sports by Country

All countries on the planet contribute to the global sports industry.

Select a country below and begin exploring.

Browse Countries

Navigation Menu

Explore Global Sports

Sports Industry Services

Sports Articles

Connect