Three sporty shows at Edinburgh Festival 2026… 

The Distance | Summerhall | 6-31 Aug (pictured)
How about some sporty shows for all you people who love sport? Or even the ones that don’t, to be frank, because obviously these are all really just human stories with a backdrop of sport. This first one, based on Ben Norris’s real life experiences, is a coming of age story about Chris, who is forced into cross country when the football field is frozen and finds his niche. “Part play, part extreme workout”, because a whole lot of real running goes on. Find the edfringe listing here. 

Cadel: Lungs On Legs | Gilded Balloon At The Museum | 6-30 Aug
And from long distance running to long distance cycling, and another physically effortful performance, which returns to Edinburgh after a successful run in 2025. It tells the true story of Cadel Evans, the only Australian to have won the Tour De France, and is performed by Connor Delves while pedalling live on the very bike that Cadel rode when he competed in the famous race, which sounds exhausting, glad to just watch. Find the edfringe listing here. 

Olympic Hopefuls | The Royal Scots Club | 10-15 Aug
This one’s only on for a short time, so be careful you don’t miss it because it sounds completely charming. It’s a funny and moving play about “four Filipina women of a certain age who decide, against all logic and gravity, to qualify for the Winter Olympics in curling”. The quartet wrestle with identity, ambition and possibly their own delusion, while chasing the impossible dream. Find the edfringe listing here.