Even when the World Cup isn’t attracting huge crowds, football still generates the most revenue from fans and betting. It is the most popular sport around the globe, watched by billions worldwide. But we all know this already. After all, most of us reading this are football fans. Instead, let’s talk about some underrated sports, that pack just as much excitement as football. These are the sports to check out once the World Cup has wrapped up.
Bandy
Once the World Cup is concluded, winter will be much closer. So, we imagine, many will be preparing for the winter sport season. Ice skating, hockey, bob sleighing, etc. are the standards here. However, a somewhat underrated option that flies under the radar for most fans is bandy.
For those who aren’t aware, bandy is in many ways similar to hockey. In fact, it is considered by many to be a hockey variant. The sport was thought up in England, and is played on a rink, usually bigger than the one used for ice hockey.
While not incredibly popular, bandy in the sports world is still a pretty big success, especially when it comes to betting sites. Quite a few online bookies cover events, matches, and tournaments. So, if you are looking for something new to get into, bandy has you covered.
Fencing
The sword is one of the most iconic weapons that humans have ever built. Since its inception, legends, stories and myths have risen around the sword. From Arthur’s Excalibur, to Roland’s Durandal, to the intricate “sword culture” of the Japanese samurai, it seems no weapon has won the hearts of men more than the blade.
So, it is a real surprise to find that fencing is not more popular in 2022. It is one of the most enduring sports, having first been invented in the Ancient era, when the sword came to be. Today, fencing competitions are held around the world, and it remains an Olympic sport.
Though fencing gets quite a bit of attention at the Olympics, it does tend to fly under the radar. Competitions are held throughout the year, with excellent fencers showing just how well they have mastered the craft.
Handball
Many fans of football might be wondering if there is a “hand” alternative. And indeed, handball is certainly a sport worth checking out. While it might be a bit of a cheat to place handball on this list, considering it actually does enjoy major popularity in certain parts of the world, it largely goes by unnoticed in the UK, Ireland, and the United States.
The game’s principles can be traced back to Ancient Greece. However, handball proper has its origins in the 19th century. The exact country of origin is a mystery, but we know it comes to us from the north, namely countries like Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
Like football, it is played on a court, with a goal set up on either side. Unlike football, the players use their hands to pass and score (hence the name). Quite a few variants of the game exist, and as we said it is rather popular in certain corners of the world (the Balkans, Scandinavia, and the Czech Republic for example). However, when compared to the big names like football and basketball, it certainly flies under the radar.