Estonia’s national football team has never qualified for a World Cup tournament, and when they won the Baltic Cup for the second year in a row in 2026, there were no riots in the streets or giant fireworks displays. Estonians may not be as football crazy as some Europeans, but football fanatics can still get their fix on a trip to Estonia.
Tips for football lovers visiting Tallinn
Tallinn, as Estonia’s capital, hosts the national team at A. Le Coq Arena when they’re in town. If you’re planning an autumn break to Estonia in 2026, there are three games you could check out: Estonia vs. Luxembourg on 3 October, vs. Iceland on 6 October, and vs. Bulgaria on 15 November. The stadium holds about 14,000 spectators, and it’s usually easy to get tickets, even on game day.
Even if you can’t catch a game, you can still visit the Estonian Football Museum at the stadium. It’s an easy, one-stop train ride from Balti Jaam train station or a nice 30-minute walk from Freedom Square at the edge of Old Town.
A. Le Coq Arena is right next door to Kristiine Keskus Shopping Center. Inside you’ll find O’Learys, part of a popular chain of pubs with plenty of screens for watching sports, several bowling lanes and billiard tables, and electronic shooting and racing games. It’s a fun spot to spend a few hours with friends, especially if the weather has chased you inside.
Interesting Estonian football fact: The island of Saaremaa has a unique football pitch in the town of Orissaare — a giant oak tree acts like an extra player, rooted in place right in the middle of the field. This unusual location won the Orissaare Oak the title of European Tree of the Year in 2015.
Fun for amateur athletes in Tartu
Are you an athlete, or someone who prefers the excitement of watching a live sporting event? Then do something out of the box on your trip to Estonia. Participate in one of the most popular Estonian sporting experiences — a Tartu Marathon. By joining one of these annual competitions, you can ski, bike, or run alongside thousands of other athletes, amateurs, and pros alike.
The original Tartu Marathon is a long-distance Nordic skiing event that has given rise to four other marathons: two for long-distance running (the City Marathon and the Forest Marathon), one for road biking (the Tartu Rattaralli), and one for mountain biking (the Tartu Bike Marathon). These events are excellent for testing your endurance, but even if you don’t compete, you can still join in the fun, cheering on the athletes and soaking in the positive vibes.
While you’re in Tartu, be sure to visit the Estonian Sports and Olympic Museum. This museum has loads of hands-on exhibits, including VR experiences featuring legendary sports arenas and stars, an interactive basketball corner, a commentator's corner, a historical gym, and more.
