In recent years, Valencia has made great efforts to attract sports competitions of international importance to the city. In 2007 the America’s Cup came to Valencia: it is the most important competition in the world of sailing, and one of the most popular sport events in the world after the Football World Cup and the Olympic Games. From 2004 to 2007, thanks to the regattas of the Louis Vuitton Cup, Valencia’s port saw the best sailing teams in the world competing against each other, in which the winners were the Emirates Team New Zealand, who had been up against Alinghi (the last team to hold the trophy) in the finals.

From the 22nd to the 24th of August, 2008, Valencia will celebrate the passion of Formula 1, due to the European Grand Prix Formula 1 competition. It will consist of three exciting days which begin with open training sessions, official training sessions, classifying rounds and finally the European Gran Prix itself. But this year the real difference will be the inauguration of a Formula 1 city circuit in Valencia city, the Valencia Street Circuit, which promises to be a most vibrant spectacle during the next 7 years.

The Valencia Street Circuit will have an unbeatable location, Valencia’s port, and is designed in order to guarantee drivers’ safety whilst promoting the enjoyment of the fans.

The next challenge for Valencia will be their Olympic bid for 2020, if Madrid fails to be elected for the Olympic Games of 2016.

Valencia has the perfect location for outdoor sports practice in the form of the Gardens in the old Turia riverbed, the main parks in the city where you will always find people practicing different sports no matter what the time of day. You can take a cycle tour (a stable four-wheel tandem), go for a bike ride or take a pleasant trip on the tourist train.

A pedal-powered trip around the city is definitely worth considering, given the city’s 68 kilometres of cycle lanes. But if it is goals that really interest you, Valencia has four different pitches very close to hand. They are –from furthest away to nearest- El Bosque, Escorpión, Manises and El Saler. The last of these, set in the sandy, wooded area which separates the sea from the Albufera lakes, is one of the most picturesque in Spain, and one of the best locations for sports pitches in the world.

Fans of speed on wheels have the opportunity of enjoying the most modern motor racing track in Europe, the "Circuito de la Comunidad Valenciana Ricardo Tormo" track, which stands out for its clever design and the quality of the installations.