The national sport of Iceland is Glíma, a traditional form of folk wrestling that dates back to the Viking Age and has been practised on the island for more than a thousand years. While football and handball draw far bigger crowds today, Glíma holds the formal status of Iceland's national sport, prized as a living link to the country's Norse heritage and the medieval sagas in which it first appears.
What Glíma Actually Is
Glíma is a grappling sport in which two opponents face each other standing upright, each gripping a special harness of leather belts worn around the waist and thighs. The aim is to throw the opponent so that some part of their body above the knee touches the ground, while the wrestler doing the throwing remains on their feet. Unlike many wrestling styles, traditional Glíma emphasises balance, technique, and a rotating, almost dance-like footwork rather than brute strength. Competitors are expected to remain upright, lean slightly into one another, and step in a continuous clockwise motion known as the stígandi, which keeps the bout dynamic and prevents stalling.
There are several recognised variants. The best-known is brókartök, the trouser-grip style fought with the fixed belt harness, which is the form treated as the official national sport. Other historic versions include hryggspenna (back-hold wrestling) and the rougher, combat-oriented lausatök, or "free grip," which was more practical for self-defence.
Roots in the Viking Age and the Sagas
Glíma's history reaches back to the settlement of Iceland by Norse seafarers in the ninth and tenth centuries. References to wrestling matches appear throughout the Icelandic sagas written down in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and even Norse mythology features a wrestling contest: in one tale the god Thor is bested by an old woman named Elli, an allegory for old age, which no one can defeat. For centuries Glíma was a staple of farm gatherings, assemblies, and long winter evenings, serving as both entertainment and a test of manhood in isolated rural communities.
The sport was formalised in the modern era. A national governing body was established in the early twentieth century, and the most prestigious prize, the Grettisbelti (Grettir's Belt), has been awarded to Iceland's wrestling champion since 1906, named after Grettir the Strong, the famous outlaw hero of Grettis saga.
The Sports Icelanders Actually Watch
Although Glíma carries the ceremonial title, the sports that capture the modern Icelandic public are football and handball. Handball is often called the true national passion: the men's team won a historic Olympic silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, a remarkable feat for a country with a population of only around 400,000.
Football, however, produced Iceland's most celebrated sporting moment. The men's national team reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, knocking out England along the way, and the rhythmic "Viking Clap" performed by their travelling fans became a global phenomenon. In 2018 Iceland qualified for the World Cup for the first time, becoming the smallest nation by population ever to reach the tournament. With roughly 400,000 inhabitants, Iceland fields competitive teams against countries dozens of times its size, a testament to its widespread participation and excellent indoor training facilities built to cope with the harsh climate.
Strength, Strongmen and the Outdoors
Iceland has an outsized reputation in strength sports. The country has produced multiple World's Strongest Man winners, and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson, who played "the Mountain" in Game of Thrones, set a deadlift world record. This tradition of feats of strength connects naturally to Glíma's ancient celebration of physical prowess.
Beyond organised sport, Icelanders embrace their dramatic landscape through hiking, glacier walking, sea swimming, and soaking in geothermal pools, which double as community social hubs. Equestrian sport is also significant: the sturdy Icelandic horse, with its unique smooth gait called the tölt, is bred and ridden across the island and competes in dedicated international events.
Glíma's Place in Modern Iceland
Today Glíma is kept alive by dedicated clubs and annual championships rather than mass spectatorship. It is taught in some schools, demonstrated at cultural festivals, and showcased to visitors as a piece of intangible heritage. While few Icelanders compete seriously, the sport remains a source of national pride and identity, symbolising continuity with the settlers who shaped the country. For a fuller picture of the nation behind the sport, see our iceland country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national sport of Iceland?
The national sport of Iceland is Glíma, a traditional belt-grip wrestling style with roots in the Viking Age. It is the country's formally recognised sport, even though football and handball are more popular to watch.
How is Glíma played?
Two wrestlers wear leather belt harnesses around the waist and thighs, grip each other, and circle in a continuous stepping motion. The goal is to throw the opponent so a body part above the knee touches the floor while staying upright yourself, favouring technique and balance over raw power.
Is football or handball more popular than Glíma in Iceland?
Yes. Football and handball attract far larger audiences and media attention. Iceland's handball team won Olympic silver in 2008, and its footballers reached the Euro 2016 quarter-finals and the 2018 World Cup, the latter as the smallest nation ever to qualify.
How old is Glíma?
Glíma has been practised in Iceland for more than 1,000 years, dating to the Norse settlement around the ninth and tenth centuries. It is referenced throughout the medieval Icelandic sagas and even in Norse mythology.
