Hanover may not be Germany’s biggest city, but it’s not lacking much in the way of sports and athletic events. You’ll find successful soccer and rugby teams, ice hockey and a host of water sports.
Football / Soccer
The Hanover sports scene wouldn’t be complete without the local Hannover 96 football or soccer club. This team has been in the football business since 1899 and currently plays their matches at the AWD Arena (Arthur-Menge-Ufer 5, Calenberger Neustadt), which can hold around 49,000 screaming spectators! (This stadium also served as one of the twelve venues for the 2006 World Cup.)
The Hannover 96 have had a turbulent history, with soaring highs and plunging lows but things have been improving in the last few years. Spend some of your time in this city cheering on their local heroes.
Rugby
Hanover is also a capital for the sport of rugby, as home to one of its larger unions. The tradition of rugby in Hanover goes back to 1878. The current team is the DRC Hannover, a first-league, wildly successful team that experienced almost a decade of championship performances from 1998 to 2005.
Ice Hockey
Ice hockey is an essential element of Hanover sports. The local first league team is the Hannover Scorpions. If you want to check out a hockey match during your time here, then head to the TUI Arena (Expo-Plaza 7), formerly known as Preussag Arena. It has a capacity of about 10,000 during hockey games.
Golf
If you prefer green to the white ice of hockey, then check out one of the city’s fifteen golf courses. The newer courses of Rethmar and Gleidingen are gaining a reputation for being among the most beautiful golf venues in the entire country. But come see for yourself as you experience the game in Hanover. :-)
Water Sports
For a landlocked region, you might not expect that Hanover offers many different water activities. But actually Hanover is home to Lake Maschsee, the Ihme and Leine rivers and Mittelland Canal.
From water polo and sailing to canoeing and water skiing, you’re sure to find it here. Another highlight of its proximity to the Lake is the Canoe-Polo-Tournament and and the International Dragon Boat Race.
