Luxembourg is one of the smallest sovereign states in Europe, with a total land area of only 2,586 square kilometers. But what this landlocked country lacks in size, it more than makes up for with its love of various types of sports.

Unlike most European countries that treat football almost like a religion, football is just one of the sports they enjoy. The lion's share of the Luxembourg population enjoys a wide array of sports.

The country has had great success in cycling, with champions such as Nicolas Frantz, a two-time Tour de France champion (1927 and 1928), Charly Gaul, winner of the Giro d'Italia twice (1956 and 1959) and the Tour de France in 1958, and Andy Schleck, who took out the Tour de France in 2010. Women's cycling has also had success with Road World Champion winner Elsy Jacobs.

"Luxembourg's cycling achievements are among the most remarkable in sporting history when considered relative to the country's tiny population. Few nations have produced as many Tour de France champions per capita, which speaks to a deep-rooted cycling culture that has flourished for over a century."
— Robert Wood, founder of Topend Sports

Cycling Powerhouse

Luxembourg has produced three Tour de France champions - Nicolas Frantz, Charly Gaul, and Andy Schleck - making it one of the most successful cycling nations per capita in the world.

Luxembourg Olympic History →

Luxembourg has had success at the Olympics too, having won two gold medals. Runner Michel Théato took gold in the marathon at the Paris Games in 1900, and Josy Barthel won the men's 1500 meters in the Helsinki Summer Games in 1952. Joseph Alzin won the silver in weightlifting at the Antwerp Summer Games in 1920.

Other notable athletes from Luxembourg include Sylvie Hülsemann, who won the 1961 world water skiing Championship, Marc Girardelli, a five-time alpine skiing World Cup champion between 1985 and 1993, and tennis players Gilles Müller, Anne Kremer, Claudine Schaul, and Mandy Minella.

Below are details of sports, sporting events, and sports people related to Luxembourg. Is there something missing? If you know of something that should be listed here, please let us know.

Popular Sports in Luxembourg

  • Football, cycling, tennis, handball, volleyball, golf

Luxembourg Sporting Success

  • Andy Schleck won the 2010 Tour de France
  • Luxembourg won 2 silver medals at the Albertville 1992 Olympics
  • Luxembourg won gold at the Helsinki 1952 Olympics
  • Nicolas Frantz won the Tour de France twice - 1927 and 1928
  • Patrizia van der Weken won bronze medals in the 60m at both the European and World Indoor Championships
  • Tom Habscheid won bronze medal in the men's shot put F63 event at the 2024 Summer Paralympics held in Paris, France
"Luxembourg's two Olympic gold medals represent an extraordinary per-capita achievement, demonstrating that small nations can compete at the highest level when they develop strong traditions in specific disciplines. The recent success of athletes like Patrizia van der Weken shows this tradition continues."
— Robert J. Wood, PhD, Founder of Topend Sports

Great Athletes from Luxembourg

  • Jeff Strasser (football)
  • David Fiegen (track and field)
  • Andy Schleck (cycling)
  • Frank Schleck (cycling)
  • Charly Gaul (cycling)
  • Gilles Muller (tennis)
  • Marc Girardelli (alpine skiing)
  • Raphael Stacchiotti (swimming)
  • Nicolas Frantz (cycling)

Andy Schleck's Controversial Victory

Andy Schleck was awarded the 2010 Tour de France title two years after the race, when original winner Alberto Contador was stripped of the title following a positive doping test.

Luxembourg Sports History →

Luxembourg Sports Trivia

  • Luxembourg is the only country that has participated in every qualifying competition, but has never qualified for any finals.
  • Andy Schleck was awarded the 2010 Tour de France in 2012, after the initial winner Alberto Contador was stripped off his title due to drug use.
  • Luxembourg was the point of departure of the Tour de France in 1989 and in 2002

Luxembourg at Major Events

Past Sporting Events Hosted in Luxembourg

  • CMCM Luxembourg Indoor Meeting - This event was held on January 18, 2026 at La Coque

Upcoming Sporting Events in Luxembourg

Luxembourg Football 2026

Luxembourg faces Malta on March 31, 2026 at the Stade de Luxembourg. Despite competing in every qualifying competition, Luxembourg has never qualified for a major tournament finals.

Luxembourg FIFA World Cup History →
  • ELLE Run Luxembourg - This event will be held on March 15, 2026 near the Luxembourg Airport
  • Luxembourg vs. Malta (Football) - This match will be played on March 31, 2026 at the Stade de Luxembourg
  • Luxembourg Open (Taekwondo) - This event will be held on May 23-24, 2026 at Coque Centre

Annual Sporting Events Held in Luxembourg

  • Tour de Luxembourg (cycling)
  • Luxembourg Open (tennis)
  • Eurocross - an annual international cross-country running competition which takes place in Diekirch, in February each year.
  • Luxembourg Marathon

Pro Tip: The Tour de Luxembourg cycling race typically takes place in June and offers an accessible way to experience professional cycling in a compact, scenic country. Many stages pass through picturesque towns and the Ardennes region.

Sporting Facilities in Luxembourg

  • Stade Josy Barthel (stadium)
  • D'Coque (indoor arena)

Pro Tip: Visitors to Luxembourg can see sporting memorabilia at the National Sports Museum (Musée National du Sport). The Stade Josy Barthel, named after Luxembourg's 1952 Olympic champion, is located centrally in Luxembourg City and is worth a visit for sports history enthusiasts.

"Luxembourg's approach to sport is notably egalitarian compared to its European neighbors, with participation spread across a wide range of activities rather than being dominated by football alone. This diversity of sporting engagement is quite unusual for a European nation of any size."
— Sports science expert Robert Wood