OT: Your vote for best spectator sport that isn't mainstream U.S.
In an earlier life when sports existed, what were the best sports to watch that aren't typically viewed in the U.S.? Using such criteria, I would exclude:
- American football
- Soccer (the other football)
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Stockcar racing
- Golf
- Tennis
- Lacrosse
I suppose ice hockey also makes the list...barely.
If you're thinking of a sport that you only consider compelling during the Olympics (e.g., curling), then that doesn't count in my book.
Not that I've sampled a ton of sports from around the world, but I'll recommend Aussie Rules Football. I can't say I'm a connoisseur, but it always looks to me like rugby and American football had a baby and fed it cocaine.
Curling
Curling
MGoBlog lurking.
I would have thought the lurkers are the spectators. MGoBoard Posting is the sport. You used to be able to keep score, too.
Short track ice skating and snobocross. They're usually only on during the Olympics, but they should be on all the time because they're awesome.
ALL OF YOU FAIL as Michigan fans!
UofM - Rocket League! FTW (err... actually the loss)
We ended up getting beat by none other than... OSU! Then Miss. knocked us out in the losers bracket.
*edit* now that I think of it, I don't ever remember seeing MSU in the mix at all... probably didn't even qualify oh well.
Polo. Not kidding. It is a great spectator sport live and is occasionally televised. You can watch matches on pololine.tv and chukker.tv
I wish I could afford to participate.
I love that Lacrosse is on this list
Badminton, but only because you get to use the word "shuttlecock."
Cycling.
rugby 7s 7v7, 7 min halves, 2 min halftime. fast, action packed, hard hitting. why don’t more people watch?
watched a full 7v7 USA-Scotland game on youtube. Pretty cool. Basically reminds me of option football with the fake pitches and what not. Seems like you can see origins of football rules? 10 yds on kickoffs? If you score you can get to 7?
The short answer to your question is probably because I've never seen it on TV? Seems cool though
Guys, its cornhole. Obviously.
Gymnastics and figure skating. I understand that some people don’t like judged sports since it’s a lot more subjective but the combination of beauty and athleticism is wonderful. Helps that we have Simone Biles, who might go down as the single best American athlete of all time.
Pairs figure skating might be my single favorite Olympic event
Back in 2014 I worked for a company based in Incheon, Korea and got to visit as that city hosted the Asian Games. Got to see wushu (think figure skating without ice or skates) and what became my favorite sport, kabaddi. The best description I can come up with is "full-contact team tag", and it is very serious business in Asia. The atmosphere in the arena was like Cameron Indoor on steroids.
Cricket, snooker and darts are all very entertaining.
Mainstream sports in the US have national TV deals with the publicly available networks and broadcasted nationwide regularly. Football, baseball, basketball, golf qualify.
The next tranche is regional broadcasts, cable networks, and/or infrequent main events: soccer, hockey, tennis (majors), NASCAR (major events), horse racing, boxing/MMA (PPV).
Third tranche is niche sports on expanded cable networks or hyper-local interests: college sports, lacrosse, expanded tennis, expanded soccer, fitness competitions (e.g. CrossFit, Strongman), track & field, etc.
Rugby and water polo
Curling and beach volleyball.
I feel like I get out of breath just watching beach volleyball. Running in sand is exhausting. People playing at a high level in the 90 degree heat looks brutal
Badger Tossing
Shark Taunting
Groin Darts
Ultimate Frisbee
1) Monster Energy Supercross, even the outdoor motocross series is amazing to watch.
2) IMSA Sportscar Racing
Australian rules football !
Women's Gymnastics. Yep. Definitely women's gymnastics.
Well, that’s one person’s take, assuming the masses agree on what’s mainstream or not.
If you need the "ice" when they talk about hockey, there is something wrong with you. I bet even field hockey fans/players know what you mean by saying just hockey.
So hockey is not mainstream but stockcar racing, and lacrosse is???
Volleyball
I also called it American Football so...
For fans of racing, I'd recommend short track speed skating. Random but races are usually pretty exciting. Lots of close competitions, controversy, and constant action. Youtube some old olympic races if you're bored.
April 22nd, 2020 at 10:10 PM ^
I am surprised that this list or comments does not mention Softball, gymnastics, or figure skating - all of which have a greater TV presence than lacrosse. Freestyle skiing (and snow boards) have a significant following. All of these are either co-ed or predominately female. The grudging admission of Ice Hockey is weird as it has a significant TV following at the professional level. By the way, Michigan has an outstanding record in softball and gymnastics and has bee the University of choice for ice dancers and pairs.
Sorry, I just read the first page and didn't see comments beyond that. My apologies to those who mentioned the above sports.
April 22nd, 2020 at 10:16 PM ^
World Chase Tag
Handball
I know this is against OPs rules, but attending a soccer match in Stuttgart was one of the best sporting events I have been to. It was freezing cold, but our seats were in behind the goal located between the fenced off visiting section on our left and the crazy home crowd (like our student section) on our right.
It was so much fun. Introductions and scores. Just wish that the German we were with would have let us know what the chants were.
April 23rd, 2020 at 10:42 AM ^
My absolute favorite sport is Strongman, love it more than football. I've always thought it odd that the sport isn't as big in America, given our love of all things giant and large. Plus, the athletes are consuming anywhere from 6k-10k calories a day on average, and that should really connect with the average American haha.
If we're talking outside of America, the easy answer is Futbol, but I'll go with Sumo. Incredibly entertaining, and even though they look like a bunch of big fat guys, their athleticism is pretty shocking. Not to mention, right now there is a guy who is essentially a combo of Micheal Jordan, Jerry Rice, and Babe Ruth who is still competing. In the over 450 documented years of the sport, there has never been a rashiki as dominant as Hakuho. Pretty cool stuff.
April 24th, 2020 at 12:40 PM ^