Why are sports fans flocking to this destination?

Are you the kind of person that enjoys working up a sweat? Even if you prefer to simply chow down on a hot dog and watch while someone else does the hard work, there are few better places to get your pulse racing than Zürich.

After all, the city has quite the sporting pedigree – it’s the home of soccer’s supreme authority FIFA and the International Ice Hockey Association too. And its unique location, at the meeting of river and lake, makes it the ideal spot for a variety of outdoor pursuits.

From endurance running and icy antics to some serious muscle flexing, we round up some of the best events on the city’s sporting calendar:

Mercedes Benz CSI

For almost 30 years, the Mercedes-Benz CSI Zürich has been awarding talented show jumpers with some of the biggest prizes in the history of the sport. Taking place every January at the Hallenstadion in Zurich Oerlkion, the three-day tournament draws crowds of around 45,000 people.

Art on Ice

At the quirkier end of the spectrum, Art on Ice combines world-class figure skaters with high profile musicians to create a spectacle that is now in its 20^th year.

Olympic medalists and world champions have swirled their skates across the ice over the years, accompanied by music from the likes of Ronan Keating, Donna Summer and Mick Hucknall to name just a few.

Zürich Marathon

Professional runners and amateurs alike descend upon the city in April for this endurance run which follows a route along the banks of Lake Zürich and though downtown, with both runners and spectators marvelling at the striking backdrop.

Ironman 70.3

More than 4,000 athletes from over 50 countries have this June triathlon event firmly in their calendars. Individual athletes and teams put their bodies to the test, while spectators can indulge at the food stands or keep the little people entertained in the Kids Paradise.

Weltklasse Zürich

World records in abundance have been made at this annual invitation-only track and field meet which generally takes place at the end of August. Sometimes referred to as the one-day Olympics, it was founded in 1928, making it one of the first ever large-scale international events dedicated to athletics.

Freestyle

Each September, the Landiwiese in Zurich welcomed the world’s best snowboarders, freeskiers, FMXers, skateboarders and mountain bikers for an adrenaline-fuelled festival of flips, tricks and jumps. Up for grabs is the prestigious titles of freestyle champ and crossover champ. Although the event won’t take place this year, it should be back in full force in 2016.

Sound good? You can now win one of two double packages to Zurich – flights, 4-star accommodation, the works – and what’s more, you can take a friend!

Book any ticket on LX using any SWISS fare between October 6 and November 15 2015 and you’ll be in the running to be one of two winners to score a week in Zurich.

To enter, simply email your LX ticket numbers and agency details by 5pm on November 15 2015 with the subject line ‘Visit Zurich’ to info.au@lufthansaexperts.com.

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events sports Zurich