Chile has had a long-time love affair with football. Rodeo is their national sport, but it is safe to say that football is the most popular sport in the country—Chilean fans looking to wager on their favorite teams can explore our page for sports betting in Chile (apuestas deportivas en Chile) for local options. They are a member of FIFA and have competed in nine World Cups and even hosted the 1962 FIFA World Cup, where they took third place.

Football in ChileFootball is the most popular sport in Chile

The Chilean national football team won the Copa América in 2015 and 2016. It also appeared in the finals of Copa América four times, took home the silver twice at the Pan American Games and a bronze in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Their younger players are also making a name for themselves, finishing third in the under-17 and under-20 youth FIFA tournaments.

Chileans are also doing great in tennis. Their national players have taken home the World Team Cup twice (2003 and 2004). They are also making headway in the most recognised sports stage. Their men’s singles have taken the gold and bronze, while their men’s doubles took home the gold in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Marcelo Rios was the first Latin American to reach the top spot of the ATP singles in 1998.

In 1937, Anita Lizana won the US Open, making her the first Latin American woman to win the Grand Slam. Luis Ayala was a runner-up in the French Open twice, while Fernando Gonzalez and Marcelo Rios both were Australian Open men’s singles finalists. Gonzalez was also a silver medalist in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Tennis is their biggest Olympic medal producer.

Below are details of sports, sporting events and sports people related to Chile.

Popular sports of Chile

Chilean Traditional or Regional Sports

  • Chilean Rodeo — two riders on horseback try to stop a calf.
  • Cueca - It is a traditional Chilean dance, which is accompanied by a guitar and singing.
  • Chilean bullfighting - This sport is similar to Spanish bullfighting, but without the use of swords.
  • Chilean wrestling - This is a form of martial arts.
  • Pato - It is a combination of polo and basketball.
  • Palin - This sport is a form of handball.

Chile Sporting Success

  • Chile won the Copa América in 2015 and 2016
  • Chile won 1 gold and 1 silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics
  • Chile won 1 silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics
  • Chile won 2 gold medals and 1 bronze medal at the Athens 2004 Olympics

Great athletes from Chile

  • Marcelo Rios (Tennis)
  • Arturo Vidal (Football)
  • Fernando Gonzalez (Tennis)
  • Kristel Köbrich (Swimming)
  • Alexis Sanchez (Football)
  • Anita Lizana (Tennis)

Chile Sports trivia

  • In 2010, Chile joined the Bolivarian Games, a multi-sport competition involving athletes from Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
  • At the 2023 Pan American Games, rowing quadruplets all won gold medals on the same day. Antonia and Melita Abraham were part of the winning women's four, then their brothers Ignacio and Alfredo Abraham won gold as part of the men's four.

Chile at major events

Past sporting events hosted in Chile

Upcoming sporting events in Chile

Annual sporting events held in Chile

  • Copa Chile - This is an annual football event that takes place between some of the best teams in Chile.
  • Chilean Open - This is the country's premier golf tournament that brings the best golfers in the country together.
  • The Chilean National Rally Championship - This is an annual racing competition that tests the skills of the drivers and their cars.
  • The Chilean National Horse Racing Championship - This is one of the popular horse racing events in Chile.
  • The Chilean National Basketball Championship - This is an annual sporting event that brings the best players across the world together.

Other

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