Swamp Soccer World Championships

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UniqueHyrynsalmi

DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking

Duration2 daysListed event span

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesHyrynsalmi's Guinness World Record status as

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: EUR

CategoryUniqueFestival type

The story

Swamp Soccer World Championships in Hyrynsalmi

Swamp Soccer World Championships have run in Hyrynsalmi since the sport's 1998 founding, holding a Guinness World Record as the longest continuously run annual swamp soccer tournament, hosted at the Ukkohalla resort since 2000. Around two hundred international teams compete across men's, women's and mixed divisions, alongside food stalls, saunas and continuous music. It suits visitors wanting a mud-soaked, party-like wilderness sporting event rather than a conventional stadium match.

Swamp Soccer World Championships have run in Hyrynsalmi since the sport's earliest organized competitions in 1998, when local enthusiasts staged the first Finnish Swamp Football Championship, and the event holds a Guinness World Record recognition as the longest-running annual swamp soccer tournament anywhere, having continued at the Ukkohalla resort since 2000.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

Hyrynsalmi's Guinness World Record status as the longest continuously run annual swamp soccer tournament anywhere gives the championship a documented historical claim that no rival swamp football event worldwide can match

The mystery stays covered

The sport's origin as an athletic and military conditioning exercise, using boggy terrain's strength and balance demands before evolving into organized competition, gives the modern tournament a genuine functional backstory beyond novelty branding

The city starts moving

Combining roughly two hundred international competitive teams with a full wilderness party atmosphere, food stalls, licensed bar, free saunas and swamp-pond dips, gives Hyrynsalmi a dual identity as both serious international sport and accessible festival

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Swamp Soccer World Championships is documented as a recurring unique festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to Hyrynsalmi, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

Hyrynsalmi's Guinness World Record status as the longest continuously run annual swamp soccer tournament anywhere gives the championship a documented...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

For Swamp Soccer World Championships, plan transport around the exact Hyrynsalmi venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Old, disposable clothing suits spectators standing near pitch-side mud splash zones; competitors wear gear expected to be ruined by bog conditions, and a spare change of clothes is worth...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Swamp Soccer World Championships, stay near the part of Hyrynsalmi you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

EUR

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map64.67 N, 28.51 E Open in Google Maps

Hyrynsalmi, Kainuu, Finland

Nearest airportKAJ — Kajaani

TransportFor Swamp Soccer World Championships, plan transport around the exact Hyrynsalmi venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

Stay areaFor Swamp Soccer World Championships, stay near the part of Hyrynsalmi you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Hyrynsalmi via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Hyrynsalmi, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare fares Festival gearOld, disposable clothing suits spectators standing near pitch-side mud splash zones; competitors wear gear expected to be ruined by bog conditions, and a spare change of clothes is worth keeping in the car.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Finland and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Swamp Soccer World Championships?

Swamp Soccer World Championships is listed for Past edition: 10–11 July 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Swamp Soccer World Championships take place?

The festival is listed in Hyrynsalmi, Finland. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

2 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Vuorisuo

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLsuopotkupallo.fi

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →