The Bochum sports scene is vivacious and thriving. You are sure to find some activities to suit your athletic needs, whether they are active participation or merely watching as a spectator.
Below are some of my Bochum sports highlights…
Football / Soccer
The Bochum sports team to root for is the VfL Bochum. This football team plays in the professional Bundesliga. The VfL inspires much loyalty in their followers. One of their biggest fans is the German musician-actor Herbert Grönemeyer. His devotion to the team was so strong, he wrote a song about them, called simply Bochum. You are likely to hear this unofficial team song before the start of each match.
Head to the Ruhrstadion a.k.a. Rewirpowerstadion (Castroper Straße 145) to catch one of the games. It houses about 31,000 screaming fans. And don’t forget about Bochum’s other football team, the SG Wattenscheid 09 e.V. They play to slightly smaller crowds at the 20,000-capacity Lohrheide Stadium (Lohrheidestraße 82).
Cycling
This Bochum sport is just as popular here as it is in the rest of Germany. There are cycling routes near Lake Kemnade and mountain bike clubs.
But the main cycling event is surely the Sparkassen Giro, an annual road race held each year in August. It is widely considered one of the top races of the world cup. This one-day event is a great way to experience the German love of cycling, whether from the seat of a bike or from behind the lines as a spectator.
Olympic Center Westphalia
If you are missing your daily workout while on holiday here, why not head over to the Olympic Center Westphalia (Hollandstraße 95) for some exercise? This Bochum sports center boasts a wide variety of activities, from gymnastics to track and field and swimming.
The center also has accommodation facilities for serious Olympic contenders.
Golf
If your vacation away isn’t complete without a round of 18 (or 9) holes, then you’re certain to enjoy Bochum. You can spend your free time at a golf course like the Bochumer Golf Club (Im Mailand 127) to get your necessary golfing fix, as well as some lovely views of the Ruhr Valley.
Water Sports
Be sure to take advantage of Bochum’s lovely lakes with some water activities. There are boat rides, regatta courses and even a surfing and sailing school.
