Swamp football
A swamp football match | |
| Highest governing body | None (regional organizations) |
|---|---|
| First played | 1998, Finland |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | Yes |
| Team members | 6 per side |
| Mixed-sex | Mixed |
| Type | Outdoor |
| Equipment | Football |
| Venue | Bogs or swamps |
| Presence | |
| Country or region | Global |
| Olympic | No |
Swamp football (also called swamp soccer or suopotkupallo in Finnish) is a variant of association football played in bogs or swamps, characterized by its physically challenging environment. Originating in Finland in 1998, it was initially used as a training exercise for athletes and soldiers due to the strength required to move through boggy terrain. The sport has since spread to countries including the United Kingdom, Turkey, and Iceland, with an estimated 260 teams worldwide as of 2020. The annual Swamp Football World Championship, held in Hyrynsalmi, Finland, is the sport’s premier event, attracting international competitors.