Discover the 8 weirdest sport events on the continent!

Last updated on Friday, 19/07/2024

Are you drawn by completely new and crazy games? Discover unique sports events organised throughout Europe. Some could be organised nearby, so you may even have a chance to experience them yourself!

1. Mud Olympics, Germany

The official website of the event starts with a very relevant question: why on earth would people pay for getting dirty? Apparently, there are two reasons, fun, obviously, and supporting the charity. 
Introduced over a decade ago, this very special Olympics takes place in Brunsbuettel in Germany. It aims at supporting cancer patients and their families under the motto “Strong against cancer”. Over forty teams compete from all over Germany and neighbouring countries in football, volleyball, handball and special mud sledge racing, which is surely fun to watch.

2. Medoc Castle Marathon, France

Do you like to run? Do you happen to like wine as well? Here is a sporting event for you if your answer is yes to both questions. The Marathon starts in Pauillac close to Bordeaux, and goes through the iconic winelands of the area every September. 
This spiced up French marathon is said to be the longest marathon in the world because it includes several activities with orchestras and twenty-three wine-tasting stops. The majority of the contestants run in costumes so it is not hard to imagine the hilarious result of running and drinking. Don't forget to drink responsibly. 

3. Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Regatta, Germany

If you hear the word regatta what comes to your mind? For me, it’s a gracious cruising in practical yet stylish sailing attire. Well, during this regatta, your attire will be rather clumsy... Indeed, during the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival competitors will paddle through the lake in hollowed out pumpkins! 
Anyone is free to participate in this hilarious competition providing they are at least 14 years of age and can swim. The giant pumpkins are provided by the organisers, so don’t worry if you are in town on the 21st September and want to participate.

4. Calcio Storico Fiorentino, Italy

The Calcio Storico Fiorentino is a combination of soccer, rugby and big time wrestling originated in 16th century Florence and played today in historical costume. There are 27 players on each team and the point is to get the ball into the other team’s goal. No method is off limits to achieve this goal so if you watch a clip of this game you can see players beating or sitting on each other to allow the person who carries the ball to score in relative peace. No team member can escape the merciless battle that comes with the game. 
Final touch, the winning team receives a cow as a prize for their efforts and honouring the traditions.

5. Hobbyhorsing, Finland

The newest craze in Finland involves participants riding stick horses and performing equestrian moves. This low budget version of horse riding has about ten thousand fans. The hobbyists use homemade stick horses and complete circuits with obstacles and jumping sometimes as high as one meter. 
Any age and gender is welcome to participate but it is especially popular among teenage girls who take the game very seriously and not only name their hobby horses but take pride in their excellent bloodline as well. Of course, the end goal is to have fun. 

6. Tobogganing Without Snow, Portugal

This sport is not happening once per year, but on a yearly basis! You cannot miss it if you go to the beautiful island of Madeira. The town of Monte is world-famous thanks to its unique toboggan run. And it’s certainly not the run one would imagine on such an island!

You will indeed go down the hillside in a giant wicker basket! The sledge glides on wooden runners, pushed and steered by two men dressed in traditional white cotton clothing and a straw hat. The ride down the hill will speed up to over 45km/h and there are no real brakes. To slow down the sledge, your driver will use their… shoes. The race ends in Funchal, a beautiful city where you can admire the Atlantic Ocean and recover from your emotions. 

7. Fierljeppen Championship, the Netherlands

Fierljepper - or far-leaping - is a very popular sport originating from the Friesland province that’s played in the Netherlands as well as in Belgium. The aim is to jump over the water body as far as you can. Players use a pole of 8 to 13 metres high. Hopefully, there is a flat plate to keep you safe in case you fall.

If you want to try it out, sign up for a masterclass and learn how to sprint to the pole, grab it and jump off to the other side of the water. The jumps are usually under 20 metres. The game season lasts from May till September.  

8. Swamp Soccer, Finland

This game originates in Finland where it started as an idea to merge the training that the top Finnish cross-country skiers did during the summer and football. It was used due to the strength needed to move through a swamp. Swamp soccer is very simple, its rules are based on football rules but the field is a swamp.     

Nowadays there is even a World Championship where nearly 200 teams from different countries battle for the title! But if all of this sounds too messy you can just go to the Swamp Rock Arena as a fan and enjoy the games.

Are you ready to create your own crazy sport?

Written by Eurodesk Brussels Link