Although Singapore is a small country, the population has a strong passion for an incredibly wide variety of sports. Of course, you’ll see people playing soccer, tennis, golf, and all of the other globally loved games, but there are a few others that are more unique to Singapore.
Roller Derby
Roller skating is a mesmerizing sport to watch, and has gained traction recently thanks to the first flat-track roller derby league in Singapore being established, the Chilli Padi Derby Grrrls.
These girls are a force to be reckoned with, and if you have the chance to watch them, you must go. In roller derby, there are two teams of players, and all of them skate around a track in the same direction. Teams earn points by helping their jammer lap members of the opposition and stopping the opposing jammer from lapping them.
Disc Golf
Disc golf, frisbee golf, or frolf, whatever you want to call it — it’s big in Singapore. The rules of this game are nearly identical to your average golf course, but you’re using a frisbee instead of a golf club and ball! If you find watching golf a little tedious, then this is a great alternative.
Kabaddi
Kabaddi is a sport that originated in the South Asian subcontinent, with first records of the game being played dating back to ancient India. It was popularized and began being played competitively in the 20th century, and you’ll find it across many different Asian countries.
A contact sport, Kabbadi requires two teams of seven, and the goal of the game is to avoid tackles from the opposing team while tagging as many of them as possible. What makes Kabbadi so unique and so much fun to watch is that all players must be holding their breath for the duration of the game!
Observing a Kabaddi game is an amazing experience, and to add to the excitement, there are multiple sports betting sites in Singapore that offer match results and score props betting markets on the game.
Paddleboarding
Not dissimilar to surfing, paddleboarding can be played recreationally or as a competitive sport. To take part, you’ll need a paddleboard and a paddle; the former is what you’ll stand on, and the latter is needed to steer and aid balance.
It might look easy but don’t be fooled. It takes incredible balance, posture, and core strength to be able to stand up on the board and paddle across the water surface without falling off. It’s very entertaining to watch paddleboarding competitions or people who enjoy it as a hobby. If you’re lucky, you might spot some experts in the sport who incorporate other exercises into their sessions, such as yoga or Tai Chi.
Unicycling
You may have watched unicyclists before, at a carnival or circus — if so, you’ll already know how much fun it is to see. It is nothing short of awe-inspiring watching the balance and precision it takes to perform tricks and stay upright on a unicycle.
And it’s not just unicycling that you can watch in Singapore. There are even unicycling hockey competitions that you can either take part in or observe.
Bossaball
Bossaball is a truly unique sport and one enjoyed across Singapore. It is a competitive ball game that combines gymnastics, soccer, and volleyball and is played on an inflatable court. And there’s more: there are trampolines on either side of the net.
What sets Bossaball apart from all other sports is the importance that music plays in the game. Throughout a match, there will be lively samba music in the background, which makes sense when you learn that the game originated in Brazil and is influenced by Bossa Nova.
Underwater Hockey
Sometimes referred to as Octopush, underwater hockey works in exactly the same way as it would if players were above ground. It is one of the most unique and challenging sports in Singapore, as it requires participants to hold their breath whilst aiming to beat their opponents—a bit like kabaddi.
The only downside to this unique sport is that it is not always the easiest to watch, being that most of it is taking place under the water!
Petanque
Petanque falls into the boules category of sports and has French origins. The game requires a wooden ball, also known as a cochonnet, and six metal balls and the goal is to throw your metal balls as close to the wooden ball as possible. There are usually two teams, with each team consisting of two or three people.
Petanque is a very popular sport to watch in Singapore thanks to its resemblance to the once-popular game goli.
Quidditch
The majority of us would not associate Quidditch with Singapore, but the game has become increasingly common across the nation. Singaporean residents are not alone in this craze, as lots of other countries want to experience the most popular sport in the wizarding world.
Of course, there are a few adjustments to be made when Singaporeans play Quidditch, as we sadly haven’t quite figured out how to make brooms fly yet! Teams are split into beaters, seekers, keepers, and chasers, and each player must run with a broom between their legs.
Indoor Skydiving
There is no doubt that watching indoor skydiving is a lot of fun, and it gets even better when you have the opportunity to attend a competition. There are Singaporean athletes who represent the country at Global Indoor Skydiving competitions, such as Kyra Poh, who have been training for years to perfect their skills.
There are lots of places in Singapore where you can watch people honing their technique and even where you can try out the sport for yourself if you’re not quite ready to commit to jumping out of a plane.