The Basque boats a collection of sports that are unique to the region, they derive from basic activities done in rural and coastal areas such as rowing, fishing, wood cutting of stone lifting. The Pelota, the Basque most famous sport, originally a rural game, was  transformed into a sport when people from the cities attended the matches to bet, and businessmen built courts to make games more interesting and to house bigger audiences. There are several versions of the game being the most popular the hand (la mano) when the game is played with the hand. Players use their open hand to hit a half a pound ball against a wall or from one side to the other of the court.

Other modalities of the Pelota include the spade (la Pala) (it requires bigger courts and stronger and sharper balls) and the basket (la Cesta). The basket has its origin in the use of a leather glove to protect the hand. The ball is taken and not hit as in the other two versions of the game and it is longer the time that it is static before changing direction. Two derivation of the basket are: the pointed basket (Cesta Punta) and "el Remonte".

Attend or play a Pelota match. There are several places where you can go, just to name a few:

- In Alava: Ogueta in Vitoria-Gasteiz;

- In Guipuzcoa: Municipak in Bergara;  Astelena in Eibar; Arizbatalde in Zarautz; and Atano III in San Sebastian;

- In Bizkaia: Ezkurdi Jai Alai in Durango; Universidad in Markina-Xemein; and Club Deportivo in Bilbao .