Press Releases MultiSport Index
On average, they invest 758 Czech crowns per month in sports. Almost a fifth of Czechs are dissatisfied with the availability of sports facilities in their area. Pools are most lacking for people in the Czech Republic with 43% of respondents expressing this need. There is also a high demand for fitness centers and yoga studios. The low supply of sports facilities does not meet the demand of Czechs, who are willing to spend almost 800 Czech crowns per month on sports. It can be assumed that the situation will further worsen at the turn of the year as many sports facilities will have to address the issue of rising energy prices leading to price increases or even a complete closure.
As shown by the results of the regular MultiSport Index survey, the demand for sports facilities in the Czech Republic is increasing. However, the current sports infrastructure lags behind and can not adequately meet the needs of Czech athletes. A total of 43% of Czechs lack a pool or swimming pool near their homes. A total of 43% of Czechs lack a pool or swimming pool near their homes. A total of 43% of Czechs lack a pool or swimming pool near their homes. With the up-coming winter season, a fifth of people will have nowhere to skate due to the lack of ice rinks and hockey halls.
“It is obvious that there is an interest in physical activities and a greater supply of sports facilities from Czechs here. However, the problem lies in the insufficient sports infrastructure, which cannot meet the demand of athletes. During the two-year pandemic, Czechs particularly embraced yoga and as our survey showed, the demand for yoga centers increased by 5% compared to 2020 during lockdowns. However, the people in the area lack it. Another problem is the upcoming winter season, during which there will be a shortage of ice rinks, whose maintenance is unsustainable with the dramatic rise in energy prices,” comments on the situation Miroslav Rech, CEO of the MultiSport Benefit company, which operates the popular MultiSport Card.
Residents of the South Moravian region perceive the biggest shortage of sports facilities. Pools and swimming pools are being missed by a total of 67% of people, which is two-fifths more than in 2020 for South Moravians. More than two-fifths are also missing fitness centers here, which are lacking for almost all the regions. On the other hand, in the Ústí nad Labem region, 43% of residents lack sports facilities for racket sports or courts. On the other hand, there is no shortage of fitness centers.
A significant difference can also be observed in the lack of climbing and bouldering walls, which are missing for 18% of athletes living mainly in cities with less than 100,000 inhabitants. In smaller towns, there is also a lack of sports facilities for racket sports and courts.
After a challenging the two-year Covid crisis, Czech sports facilities have barely managed to recover and must now face another crisis. Due to the sharp rise in the energy prices, they must figure out how to finance further operation. This could lead to higher entrance fees or in many cases, the complete closure of facilities. Pools and swimming pools, as well as winter stadiums, which have the highest energy costs, are hit the hardest. This could significantly endanger more than 244,000 people who, according to the Czech Statistical Office, work in the field of sports.
“Sports facilities are currently still cheering up the people’s interest, because Czechs want to engage in sports. We have reports from sports facilities that they are returning to the pre-Covid levels of attendance in the full season. Thanks to this, they are currently managing to cope with the rising energy prices and are increasing prices as little as possible. However, the support for sports facilities should not rely solely on individuals. The state is also interested in it, as it is important for both maintaining jobs and, above all, the health of the population,” says Jana Havrdová, the president of the Czech Chamber of Fitness.
According to the survey results, Czechs are willing to pay extra for sports, but in their proximity, many of the sports facilities they would regularly visit are currently missing. Compared to 2020, they spend 250 Czech crowns more on sports, which amounts to an average of 758 Czech crowns per month. Residents of the Central Bohemian Region and Prague invest the most in sports with an average of 860 Czech crowns per month. Residents of the Zlín Region spend the least, only 353 Czech crowns per month.
Expenses for sports are also influenced by satisfaction with the availability of sports facilities around. In the Plzeň Region, due to the lack of sports facilities, specifically fitness centers, which are missing for up to 60% of residents, the willingness to invest in sports is decreasing. People from Plzeň spend only 514 Czech crowns per month on sports.
“The shortage of sports facilities in many regions of the Czech Republic hinders a higher flow of finances into the sports sector and as a result of price increases, sports will become less accessible to people over time. In the worst case scenario, many sports facilities will have to close completely. Nowadays, in my opinion, it is more meaningful to support sports facilities now than to let them fail and build an entirely new sports infrastructure when the crisis is over,” concludes Miroslav Rech.
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