A long sporting history

The Principality established itself as a sporting nation during the reign of Prince Albert I (1889–1922). 

By this time, it had already begun a shift towards modernity, initiated by Prince Charles III (1856–1889) at the start of his reign with the creation of the Monte Carlo district and the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM). Buoyed by its hotels and gaming facilities, it quickly became a favourite winter destination for the aristocracy, who brought with them the sporting and recreational activities that were gaining popularity across Europe: regattas, pigeon shooting, golf…

A key player in the Principality, the SBM organised or supported numerous events: the first Monegasque tennis tournament in 1897, and the motorboat races which, from 1904 onwards, became a veritable testing ground for the development of internal combustion engines that would later power the participants in the Monte Carlo Rally, established in 1911, and subsequently the famous Monaco Grand Prix (1929). It was also behind the daring Mont Agel golf course (1911), laid out at an altitude of 850 metres on rocky terrain, and the International Sporting Club, founded in 1903.

At the same time, sport was becoming increasingly popular amongst the people of Monaco. Clubs were springing up: the Société des Régates was founded in 1888, the Sport Vélocipédique in 1890, the Étoile de Monaco in 1890, and the Pistolet et l’Escrime in 1909… At the time, athletes generally practised several disciplines, as the clubs themselves were usually multi-sport organisations.

This boom could not, of course, have taken place without the Sovereign, himself a sports enthusiast and a lover of innovation. A keen hunter and mountaineer, Prince Albert I also cycled and rode a tandem, before trying his hand at motoring and motorcycling.

These major events still feature prominently on the international calendar today, which has continued to expand to include, notably, the Herculis EBS Athletics Meeting (1987), the famous Monte Carlo Jumping (1995), the Swimming Meeting (1983) and Classic Week (1994) – created during the reign of Prince Rainier III (1949–2005) – as well as the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (2014), the successor to the motorboat races of 1904.

Following in his great-grandfather’s footsteps, Prince Rainier III was also keen on many sports:  tennis, golf, diving and even skiing. He even had a squash court built at the Prince’s Palace. 

During his reign (1949–2005), sport in Monaco experienced a tremendous boom with the construction of major facilities such as the new Stade Louis-II, the Rainier shooting range in Fontvieille, the Princess Stéphanie gymnastics halls in the Vallon Sainte Dévote, and the aquatic centre, built at Port Hercule in 1961. Physical education and sport took on a fundamental role in public policy and became an integral part of the school curriculum for all Monegasque pupils, whilst participation in elite sport was encouraged.

The ‘Builder Prince’ played a decisive role in the creation of the professional team, AS Monaco Football Club. Today, the club remains a leading force on the international stage, flying the Principality’s colours alongside other teams such as the Roca Team (AS Monaco Basket), Monaco Rugby Sevens and Team Malizia (sailing).

But beyond its professional teams, Monaco thrives on the richness of its amateur sporting scene. Alpine skiing, figure skating, golf, sailing, gymnastics, climbing, horse riding, badminton, boules lyonnaises… Almost every sport can be found within this territory of just over 2 km². In 2024, the Principality was home to no fewer than 59 national federations and nearly 5,000 registered members. This dynamism is driven and encouraged by the current Sovereign.

A keen sportsman since childhood, Prince Albert II competed in five Winter Olympic Games between 1988 and 2002 in bobsleigh. He has been a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since 1985 and President of the Monegasque Olympic Committee since 1994. The Principality’s ties with the IOC are, in fact, very close. The Principality, which became the 25^th member of the IOC in 1920, has missed only three Olympic Games since its first participation that same year. It has also hosted three IOC Sessions (1927, 1993 and 2014) and, since 2011, has been the host city for the triennial conference on the prevention of injuries and illnesses in sport.

In addition to these competitions, Monaco hosts major events such as SPORTEL, an international trade fair dedicated to the sports media industry, founded on the initiative of the Monegasque journalist Georges Bertellotti. It is also home to numerous organisations, such as World Athletics (formerly the IAAF), the International Motorboat Union, the International Modern Pentathlon and Biathlon Union, and the Monegasque organisation Peace and Sport.

• Yolande Blanc-Chabaud, The Birth of a Sporting Tradition: 1862–1939", published by Sportel Organisation, 1999
• Claude-Aline Encenas, Annales Monégasques, article "Honour and Perseverance: The Development of Sport in the Principality of Monaco », 2004
• Aurore Teodoro, "He was very active: Sport in Monaco under Albert I”, Code Sport Monaco n°57 (2022)
• Aurore Teodoro, "Rainier and Sport: A Prince’s Visio", Code Sport Monaco n°68 (2023)