What sports Iranians are interested in?

Pars Today – In Iran, sports go beyond mere recreation; they have become a part of national identity and a source of collective pride.

Sports have always played an important role in the lives of the Iranian people. From ancient times, when wrestling and traditional “Zurkhaneh” sports symbolized power and heroism, to the present day, where football, volleyball, and basketball attract millions of fans, sports have become an inseparable part of Iranian culture. Given its rich history and culture, Iran hosts a wide variety of sports. Some, like wrestling and polo, have roots in the country’s ancient past, while others, such as football, volleyball, and chess, have gained great popularity in modern times.

In recent years, the success of Iranian athletes in international competitions has also increased public interest in various sports. This Pars Today article takes a look at the most popular sports in Iran.

Wrestling
Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in Iran, with a history spanning several thousand years. Many Iranian champions, including Pouria-ye Vali, have become iconic figures in the sport and enjoy widespread popularity in the country. Iran is one of the leading wrestling nations in the world, with wrestlers such as Gholamreza Takhti, Rasoul Khadem, Hassan Yazdani, Hamid Sourian, and Alireza Dabir earning numerous honors in international competitions and the Olympics.

Football
Football was introduced to Iran in the early 20th century, with the first official matches dating back to the 1920s. Over time, football has become the most popular sport in the country, and the Iranian national team has performed successfully in international competitions. Iran’s Premier League features major clubs such as Persepolis, Esteghlal, Sepahan, and Tractor. Players like Ali Daei, Mehdi Mahdavikia, Sardar Azmoun, and Mehdi Taremi have also helped put Iran’s name on the international football map.

Volleyball
Volleyball began gaining attention in Iran in the 1950s, but it reached peak popularity in 2010 with the success of the national team in international competitions. Iran’s national team’s rise to the Volleyball Nations League and victories over strong teams such as Brazil, Italy, and the USA greatly increased public interest in the sport. Players like Saeid Marouf, Mohammad Mousavi, Amir Ghafour, and Milad Ebadipour have played key roles in the national team’s achievements.

Basketball
Basketball has made significant progress in recent years, with Iran’s national team achieving numerous honors in Asia. The entry of Iranian players such as Hamed Haddadi and Arsalan Kazemi into the NBA brought global recognition to Iranian basketball. Iran’s national basketball team has won the Asian championship multiple times and has also participated in world competitions.

Traditional and local sports
The Zurkhaneh sports, which combines wrestling, fitness, and ritual movements, is one of Iran’s oldest sports. It has been practiced in Iran since ancient times and continues to be performed in traditional Zurkhanehs. Polo is another of Iran’s oldest sports, dating back even to the Achaemenid period (550–330 BCE). This sport later spread to various parts of the world, including India and Britain, and today is recognized as an official international sport.

Chess
Chess has long been present in Iranian culture and is even mentioned in historical texts and classical Persian literature. In Iran, the game is recognized not only as a pastime but also as a symbol of wisdom and strategy. Today, Iran is considered among the world’s leading chess nations. Participation in international Olympiads and high rankings achieved by Iranian players have brought recognition to Iranian chess both nationally and globally. Ehsan Ghaemmaghami and Parham Maghsoodloo are among Iran’s world-renowned champions in the sport.