Sports in Riccione

Riccione is a city built around sport. Not in the vague sense of "there are some football pitches": here sport is infrastructure, culture and identity. The Swimming Stadium hosts the Italian championships, the Beach Arena is a national reference for beach tennis, the federal squash centre hosts European tournaments, and the cycling path network connects the entire coast to Rimini. Add the sea, with sailing schools, kitesurfing and SUP, and you understand why Riccione attracts thousands of athletes every year, from professionals who come to compete to families who simply want to swim, cycle or play a game of tennis on holiday.

The facilities are concentrated within a few square kilometres, almost all reachable by bicycle from the centre. The Italo Nicoletti Sports Centre, the Swimming Stadium and the squash centre form a sports hub that is one of a kind, while the beach offers illuminated beach tennis and beach volleyball courts for evening matches. Those who prefer the open sea will find sailing schools and nautical centres along the entire coastline.

The major sports facilities

The heart of Riccione's sport is concentrated in the western part of the city, where the Nicoletti Sports Centre and the Swimming Stadium form a complex that has no equal on the Romagna Riviera in terms of size and quality.

Centro Sportivo Comunale "Italo Nicoletti"

Riccione's largest sports complex. It includes the central stadium with an 8-lane athletics track, three football pitches (one synthetic), two five-a-side pitches, a multi-purpose gym, a boxing and Thai boxing centre, covered beach tennis and beach volleyball courts, six covered tennis courts and a baseball and softball stadium. Since 2024 it has been managed by ASD Riccione Calcio 1926. It is the hub where local sports clubs train and where regional and national athletics, football and combat sports competitions take place.

Address: Via Forlimpopoli 15, Riccione
Phone: 0541 608267
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Swimming Stadium

One of Italy's most important swimming facilities, the regular venue for the Italian national swimming championships. The Swimming Stadium comprises five pools: an indoor Olympic pool (50x25 m), an outdoor Olympic pool (50x25 m), an outdoor 34-metre pool, an indoor diving pool with 1 and 3-metre springboards, and an outdoor diving pool 5 metres deep with springboards and platforms up to 10 metres. In addition to international competitive events, the stadium is open to the public for lap swimming and hosts courses for all ages, run by Polisportiva Comunale Riccione.

Address: Via Monte Rosa 60, Riccione
Phone: 0541 644410
Website: stadiodelnuoto.it
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PlayHall, Palazzo dello Sport "Massimo Pironi"

Riccione's sports arena, a 3,000-seat multi-purpose venue hosting sporting events, concerts, shows and conferences. The interior is modular: it can accommodate basketball, volleyball, fencing, martial arts, artistic gymnastics and skating, as well as gala dinners and major events. Every year it hosts the Italian National Dance Sports Championships, with over 4,000 athletes. Its location near the sea and other sports facilities makes it a key venue for events that choose Riccione as their base.

Address: Viale Carpi, Riccione
Website: palasportriccione.it
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Riccione Beach Arena

The temple of beach tennis on the Riviera. Located opposite the free beach in the southern part of Riccione, the Beach Arena spans 3,000 square metres with around ten illuminated courts on real sea sand. Beach tennis, beach volleyball and beach basketball courses and tournaments are held here all year round (six courts are covered in winter). The facility welcomes both professional athletes and amateurs, with top-level equipment and an atmosphere that only playing on the sand a stone's throw from the sea can give.

Address: Via Torino, corner Via Michelangelo, Riccione
Phone: 334 7288435
Website: riccionesportarena.wansport.com
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Federal Squash Centre "Bettino Craxi"

Seven professional courts in what is the Federal Technical Centre of the Italian Squash Federation. Inaugurated in 2006, it regularly hosts Italian national championships and European competitions. It is located next to the Nicoletti Sports Centre, in the same sports district of the city.

Address: Viale Forlimpopoli 5, Riccione
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Water sports and sailing

In Riccione the sea is the biggest playing field. Along the coast you'll find sailing schools affiliated with the Italian Sailing Federation, nautical centres for equipment rental and hubs for kitesurfing, windsurfing and SUP. Courses are active mainly from June to September, but some facilities operate all year round.

Club Nautico Riccione, FIV Sailing School

Riccione's historic sailing school, affiliated with the FIV since 1946 and recognised as a CONI Sports Training Centre. It has a fleet of 16 boats (Trident, Laser, Optimist) and organises sailing courses for adults and children from age 6, from June to September.

Address: Via D'Annunzio 4/a, Riccione
Phone: 0541 647910
Website: clubnauticoriccione.it
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Centro Velico Città di Riccione

FIV/CONI-affiliated sailing school with over 100 members, located in the southern part of the coast. It offers individual and group courses, private lessons and organises national regattas such as the Saraghina Sailing Rally and the Piada Trophy.

Address: Via Torino, zona 24, Riccione
Phone: 348 4111230
Website: cvcriccione.it
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Vela Club Marano

The go-to club for kitesurfing, windsurfing, SUP and sailing. Founded in 1989, it is located in the Marano area of the seafront and offers courses and equipment rental for wind-powered water sports.

Address: Viale D'Annunzio 146, Riccione
Phone: 0541 646640
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Aquasport Centro Nautico

Water sports equipment rental on the beach: canoes, motorboats, banana boats, pedal boats. Located at Beach 134 (La Playa), it's the go-to spot for those who want to have fun on the water without competitive commitment.

Address: Beach 134, Riccione
Phone: 389 3113510
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Tennis

Riccione has three tennis centres spread across different parts of the city, with clay and synthetic courts, many of them illuminated for evening play.

Tennis Club Riccione, 5 clay courts (2 covered). Viale Forlimpopoli 3.
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Centro Tennis Marano, 2 illuminated synthetic courts. Viale D'Annunzio.
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Centro Tennis Lungomare, 3 illuminated clay courts. Lungomare delle Libertà 7.
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By bike and on foot: cycling paths and running routes

Riccione is a flat, compact city with 40 kilometres of cycling paths connecting the beach, the centre, the hilly area and the neighbouring towns. For runners and cyclists, it's a logistical paradise.

The most popular route is the Adriatic Cycleway, which connects Riccione to Rimini along 10 km of flat, coastal cycling path, separated from traffic. Perfect for a morning ride or a run with a sea view. Heading south, the seafront continues for about 6 km to Portoverde in Misano Adriatico, with an equally flat and pleasant route.

For those looking for hills, the hinterland offers routes towards Coriano, Misano Monte and Scacciano, with panoramic roads and gradients that challenge even the fittest cyclists. Every year in May the Granfondo di Riccione is held (22nd edition in 2026), with three routes of 61, 76 and 104 km through the Rimini hills.

For runners, the best routes are the seafront towards Rimini (10 km one way, flat), the seafront towards Portoverde (6 km) and the trails of Parco degli Olivetani in the city centre. In April the Rimini Marathon also passes through Riccione, with marathon, half marathon and family run.

Golf

Indiana Golf Riccione, two 18-hole mini-golf courses in the southern part of Riccione, near the sea. Suitable for families and beginners.
Website: indianagolfriccione.it
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Riviera Golf Resort, a professional golf course in San Giovanni in Marignano, about 10 km from Riccione. An 18-hole course set in the green Romagna hills, with clubhouse, restaurant and full services.
Website: rivieragolfresort.com
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Gyms and fitness

Riccione has a range of gyms covering every need, from classic bodybuilding to CrossFit, from wellness to open weight rooms. All listed facilities are verified and operational.

Gold Wellness Academy, 500 sqm of fitness space with Technogym equipment, over 45 group classes per week. Viale Veneto 47.
Phone: 0541 660066 — Website: goldwellnessacademy.it
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CrossFit Riccione, CrossFit box with classes from early morning to evening. Viale Veneto 47.
Phone: 379 1730163
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Muscle Gym, Riccione's historic gym, active since 1984. Weight room, functional training. Via Circonvallazione 83.
Phone: 0541 605504 — Website: musclegymriccione.it
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Gymnasium Club, weight room, fitness classes and wellness. Viale Mazzini 26.
Phone: 0541 602732
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Blue Line Plus, full gym with weight room, group classes and wellness area. Via San Gimignano 30 (Centro Commerciale Perla Verde).
Phone: 0541 643248 — Website: bluelineplus.com
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Sporting events

Riccione is not just a place to practise sport: it's a city that hosts national and international competitions all year round. Here are the main events:

Italian Swimming Championships, the Swimming Stadium regularly hosts the Italian national championships, youth championships and other FIN national competitions. It is Italy's best-equipped swimming facility.

Granfondo di Riccione, every year in May, one of the most popular cycling granfondos in Emilia-Romagna. Three routes (61, 76 and 104 km) through the Rimini hills. 22nd edition in 2026.

Rimini Marathon, marathon, half marathon and family run that in April pass through Rimini, Riccione and Misano Adriatico. One of the most important running events on the Riviera.

Dance Sports Championships, the PlayHall hosts the Italian National Dance Sports Championships every year, with 17 competition days and over 4,000 athletes from across Italy.

European Beach Volleyball, Riccione has been designated European beach volleyball capital for the April 2026 edition.

Festival del Sole, in July, an international artistic and rhythmic gymnastics festival that brings over 15,000 gymnasts to Riccione from across Europe.

💡 Pro Tips for a Stress-Free Visit

Whether you're an athlete on holiday or a tourist wanting to try something new, a few practical tips:

1. Bring the right shoes: The seafront cycling paths are also perfect for running, but in summer the tarmac gets hot. Early morning (before 9:00 AM) and late afternoon (after 6:00 PM) are the best times to run or cycle without suffering from the heat.

2. Book courts in advance: In summer, tennis and beach tennis courts fill up quickly, especially in the evening slots. A phone call the day before avoids being left without a court. The same goes for sailing courses: places sell out at the start of the season.

3. The Swimming Stadium is open to everyone: You don't need to be a champion to swim at the Swimming Stadium. The pools are open to the public for lap swimming at set times. Check the timetable on the website, as public access may be limited during championships.

4. Hire a bike: Several rental points in the city offer bikes, e-bikes and children's bikes at accessible prices. The Adriatic Cycleway towards Rimini is the perfect route for a family outing: 10 flat kilometres, sea views, completely separated from traffic.

5. Check the events calendar: If you're travelling in March-April or September, you might find the city buzzing with national sports competitions. This can be an advantage (electrifying atmosphere) or a problem (facilities occupied, hotels full). The updated sports events calendar is at www.riccione.it

Practical Information

Main sports hub: Nicoletti Sports Centre + Swimming Stadium + Squash Centre, Via Forlimpopoli / Via Monte Rosa area. Reachable in 10 minutes by bike from the centre.

Water sports: Sailing schools and nautical centres along the seafront, active mainly from June to September.

Cycling paths: 40 km of cycling network in the city. Adriatic Cycleway to Rimini (10 km). Bike rental available at several points in the centre and on the seafront.

Info and sports events calendar: riccione.it/sport

Riccione is one of those cities where sport is not an option, it's the connective tissue of daily life. You run along the seafront in the early morning, cycle towards Rimini in the late afternoon, play beach tennis on the sand until evening. The facilities are there, the sea is always there, and the climate provides the motivation. The rest takes care of itself.