Forget networking – Prague expats are making new friends through sports

Making friends in Prague can sometimes feel harder than finding a flat with decent heating. Networking events are painful, dating apps are exhausting, but one digital company is removing some of that pressure with a simpler alternative: group sports.

Banana Sport, a Prague-based app, lets users browse and book local sports activities, from casual games to coached sessions. The platform makes it easier for the expat community to get moving and meet new friends, with a new series of English-friendly sports events launching on June 1.

Whether you fancy a game of badminton after work, a casual football match on the weekend, or trying your hand at pickleball for the first time, here’s how the app works, and how you can sign up.

Shared laughs over missed shots or post-game drinks tend to break the ice much faster than another evening spent shouting over music in a crowded bar. Banana Sport will connect you with activities across the city, with a wide mix of sports options, including basketball, beach volleyball, running, kickboxing, padel, strength training, yoga, and table tennis. 

The process is simple: download Banana Sport, browse upcoming activities, book your place, and turn up. There is also flexibility built in, with free cancellation available up to 24 hours before an activity.

You don’t have to be a pro athlete to join. Banana Sport helps group players by level, so beginners are not thrown into intimidating matches, while experienced players can still enjoy a proper game. 

The focus is much more on having fun, staying active, and connecting with others the good old-fashioned way in a natural setting. You can join alone, bring friends along, or rope in that colleague who still talks about “getting back into sports one day.”

The app removes some of the usual barriers to joining a new activity in a new city: finding people to play with, knowing your level, and feeling comfortable showing up alone.

The concept already has a lot of fans. In user testimonials shared by the company, one person called Banana Sport “an absolute lifesaver,” praising how easy it was to find coaches and book sessions. Another described the app as “simple and quick,” adding that it helps people organize their time and activities efficiently.

For locals looking for an easier way into Prague’s social life, getting active may be a more comfortable place to start. Banana Sport is quickly proving that sometimes the best friendships start with a game, a few strangers, and a willingness to show up and play.