Top 10 Most Unusual Sports In The World That You Have Probably Never Heard Of

The world of sports is a fascinating one. Sports have been a staple of human entertainment and culture for thousands of years, and humanity has practiced several sporting arts throughout the years that have become household names. There have been large sporting tournaments for almost every major sport that generate millions to potentially billions of views through different media. However, some unusual sports around the world almost don’t sound real. In this blog, we will be discussing the top 10 most unusual sports in the world and the rules of these sports that make them highly fascinating and strange at the same time. Continue reading, and maybe you will be perplexed by the strangeness of these sports, or maybe you will find some new, weird sports to watch.

Top 10 Most Unusual Sports In The World

Here are some of the most unusual sports in the world that you have probably never heard about. 

• Chess Boxing:- 

Originating in Germany, chess boxing is a sport that combines both wisdom and physical might. It is considered to be one of the top picks among weird sports to watch because of its inspiration from chess and mixed martial arts, two very popular sports. Competitors alternate between rounds of fast-paced chess and rounds of boxing. A knockout in the ring or a checkmate on the board will decide your victory. 

• Wife Carrying:- 

Also known as Eukonkanto, this game originated in Finland. It involves two male competitors who race through an obstacle course while carrying a female teammate (not necessarily their wives). This is not only one of the most unusual sports around the world, but it also has an equally unusual award, the wife’s weight in beer!

• Underwater Hockey:-

 Players use short sticks to move a lead puck into the opponent team’s goalpost, but here’s the catch: it’s happening underwater. Since players have to hold their breath underwater, this sport requires a lot of endurance and rigorous physical training. 

• Extreme Ironing:-

 One of the most popular picks among the most unusual sports in the world, extreme ironing is a dangerous sport that involves the participants carrying an ironing board to remote locations and ironing articles of clothing. The remote locations in question include mountainous regions, snowy areas, and even underwater. 

• Cheese Rolling:-

 A bizarre sport held every year at Cooper’s Hill in England, a nine-pound round of Double Gloucester cheese is sent tumbling down the hill. The objective of the sport is for runners to chase the rolling cheese wheels and arrive safely at the finish line first. The hill is so steep that most contestants themselves start tumbling across the cheese rolls. 

• Sepak Takraw:- 

One of the most popular, unusual sports for kids in Southeast Asia, Sepak Takraw is like volleyball, but you use your feet, chest, knees, and head to toss the ball around instead of using your hands. The athleticism in this sport is awe-inspiring, making it one of the best weird sports to watch if you want to pass your time doing something fun.

• Toe Wrestling:-

This niche sport was invented in a pub in Derbyshire, UK. The rules are simple: players lock their big toes and attempt to pin their opponent’s foot down. Good hygiene is encouraged in this sport, and it is considered to be a fun activity by locals. 

• Quidditch:-

 Inspired by the Harry Potter series of films, quadball, or quidditch has become a legitimate sport played in universities worldwide. Players must keep a PVC pipe between their legs at all times while throwing balls through hoops and chasing a ‘snitch.’

• Zorbing:-

 Zorbing is a New Zealand-based sport that involves strapped-in participants rolling down a hill inside a giant, transparent plastic orb. It is considered to be a recreational activity, but there are also competitive events, which rank it among the top 10 most unusual sports in the world. 

• Cardboard Tube Fighting:- 

Lastly, there is an actual Cardboard Tube Fighting League (CTFL) in which participants battle with cardboard tubes. The objective is to break your opponent’s tube without breaking your own. Many participants also take creative liberties and show up in handmade cardboard armor. 

Most Unusual Sports In The Olympics

Even the world’s largest sports festival is no stranger to weird sports events. Here are some of the most unusual sports in the Olympics that are either played currently or have been discontinued. 

• Breakdancing:- 

The 2024 Paris Olympics introduced one of the most unusual sports around the world into its roster. Breakdancing is not measured in time or distance, but on the basis of soul, personality, technique, and how well the performers improvise to a DJ’s beat. 

• Solo Synchronised Swimming:-

 The 1984, 1988, and 1992 Olympic Games featured solo synchronised swimming. Critics were confused as to how someone could synchronise their swimming techniques while alone, but the objective was to synchronise their techniques with the music. This event was eventually dropped in favour of more energetic and visually appealing performances. 

• Live Pigeon Shooting:- 

Considered to be the most controversial sport in Olympic history, this sport involved killing live pigeons. It was only featured once in the 1900 Paris Olympics, and the poor reception because of its inherent cruelty led to it being banned. Since then, shooting contests have mandated the use of clay pigeons rather than living ones. 

• Tug of War:-

 While it might be considered to be one of the less unusual sports for kids and adults alike, its inclusion in the Olympic Games was certainly seen as unusual. It used to be an official Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920, and the rules allowed countries to enter multiple clubs, which allowed a single country to continue winning multiple medals over the years. 

• Trampolining:- 

The trampoline had massive growth from being a backyard toy to a sporting item. It has been an Olympic sport since 2000, and includes an immense level of precision to prevent the performer from going completely out of balance and potentially risk life-altering injuries. However, it remains one of the most unusual sports in the Olympics. 

Unusual Sports For Kids To Play

While talking about the most unusual sports around the world, we usually talk about dangerous or unconventional sports played by adults; however, there are some weird sports played by kids, too. Here are some of the most unusual sports for kids that you might not know about.

• Sport Stacking:-

 Often called the ‘track meet for the hands,’ sports stacking involves stacking and unstacking specially designed plastic cups in specific patterns against a clock. It might sound like one of the more weird sports to watch, and also a bit boring, but it is a fantastic way to improve hand-eye coordination, especially for children. 

• Pickleball:-

 Although it is gaining popularity among adults, it still remains one of the most unusual sports for kids to play. It combines tennis, badminton, and ping-pong on a smaller court. The slower pace of the plastic ball makes it easier for kids to have long rallies, which helps them build strength, endurance, and coordination over time. 

• Ga-ga Ball:- 

Ga-ga ball can be commonly found at summer camps, but it hasn’t found any footing as an organised sport. It is similar to dodgeball but is played in an octagonal pit. The goal is to hit a ball at the other player’s leg below the knee. It is fast-paced, inclusive for all fitness levels, and focuses on agility rather than raw power. 

Underrated And Unusual Sports In India

There are also some relatively lesser-known sports in India that you might not have heard about. Let us discuss some of the most unusual sports in India that most people have never heard of. 

• Mallakhamba:- 

Although it is not considered to be one of the most unusual sports around the world, it can be a strange sight for someone not familiar with traditional Indian sports. In this ancient sport, gymnasts perform aerial yoga poses and wrestling grips on a wooden pole or a hanging rope. It is famous for its gravity-defying aspect and is one of the most visually stunning sports that one can lay eyes on. 

• Kalaripayattu:-

 Called the ‘mother of all martial arts,’ kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art from Kerala that combines strikes, kicks, grappling, and preset forms with weapons like wooden sticks, swords, and shields. Its main purpose is not to defeat the enemy, but to improve the connection between mind and body via specialised breathing techniques and massage. 

1. Silambam:-

Silambam is considered to be one of the most unusual sports in the world, especially among combat sports. Practitioners use bamboo staffs to perform rapid strikes and defensive maneuvers. It is also being popularised in schools as a way to teach kids about their cultural heritage and to help them improve their reflexes. This sport originates from Tamil Nadu. 

• Gatka:- 

Gatka is a traditional combat sport associated with Punjabi Sikhs. It is a style of stick fighting with wooden sticks designed to emulate swords. It was traditionally performed at festivals, but now there are competitive championships as well, which have given further leverage to this traditional game. 

• Kho-Kho:-

 Many Indians won’t consider kho-kho to be among the most unusual sports in India because it is played very often in schools, and it is often underrated as a high-performance professional sport. It is considered to be one of the most intense tag games in the world, and has gained increased popularity thanks to recent leagues further popularising the game. 

Weird Sports To Watch In 2026

Here are some weird sports that you can watch to get a first-hand view of how these sports actually play out in real life. 

• Chess Boxing: 

Combining wisdom and strength, this sport combines two popular sports, chess and boxing, making it one of the best weird sports to watch. 

• Wife Carrying: 

It is a strange one, but the games are always said to be highly entertaining and offer an unforgettable experience that few sports can offer. 

• Extreme Ironing:

 Extreme ironing is one of the most popular choices to watch among the most unusual sports around the world. It can offer a glimpse into the strange world of ironing clothes in the most dangerous environments. 

• Cheese Rolling: 

Known for being hilarious and out-of-the-box, cheese rolling is one of the best sports to watch unironically because you won’t be occupied with loyalty to a team or a league; you will just be hurting your stomach from laughing most of the time.

• Hobby Horsing:

 Hobby horsing is a weird sport in which athletes perform dressage and show-jumping routines using a wooden stick with a horse’s head. Their gymnastic form and equestrian grace serve as the judgment criteria to decide the winner of the championship. 

• Toe Wrestling: 

Toe wrestling is similar to arm wrestling, and arm wrestling is already a highly popular sport. You can think of it as a slight change of pace from traditional strength-based sports. 

• Sepak Takraw: 

It might be one of the most unusual sports in the world, but it is definitely one of the best unusual sports that you can watch and genuinely have fun. It’s competitive and fierce take on an otherwise popular sport (volleyball) is refreshing to watch. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is interesting to learn more about the different sporting traditions around the world that remain unfamiliar to the majority of people. Even though the top 10 most unusual sports in the world are common picks that have garnered more popularity in recent years, the majority of weird sports remain hidden and unnoticed by the public eye. Who knows, maybe some of these sports will evolve to a gargantuan level and have tournaments of their own.