Are you craving a thrill? Well, hold onto your hats. These are the ten most dangerous sports in the world.
While some people prefer the more laid-back approach, many of us thrive on an adrenaline rush and crave the feeling of testing fate.
From everyday school sports to more hair-raising adventure activities, you’d be surprised what finds itself on the list of the ten most dangerous sports in the world.
The World Bucket List’s top tips when participating in the most dangerous sports in the world:
- Make sure you have undertaken the necessary training before taking part.
- After that, also ensure that you are wearing any relevant safety gear and clothing needed for that particular sport or activity.
- When participating, be aware of, and follow, all safety policies.
- If it is a team-sport, communication is key.
- Finally, have a contingency plan in place in case anything goes wrong or if medical help will be required.
10. Horseriding – an elegant image, but dangerous sport
Indeed, horseriding may be an old-school sport. Often associated with those in higher standing, the traditional mode of transport evolved into a timeless hobby for many over the centuries.
What you may not know, however, is that horseriding is considered one of the most dangerous sports in the world.
9. Motorbike racing – the highspeed endeavour
Motorbike racing is a deadly sport. With little other than a few layers of leather and a helmet to protect you from the ground, to fall would be a nasty fate.
Motorbiker racers often exceed speeds of 160 km/hour (100 miles/hour). So, as you can imagine, this sport is deemed highly dangerous.
8. Boxing – a ring sport
Boxing is an age-old sport that sees two people play it out in a ring. Armed with their fists and a pair of boxing gloves, it’s the epitome of a contact sport.
With blows to the face and head on repeat, it comes as no surprise that boxing is considered one of the most dangerous sports in the world.
Read more: our review of the ten most extreme sports in the world
7. Rugby – a dangerous school sport
Although rugby is a common school sport played by children, it is actually one of the most dangerous, world over and indeed not one of the safest.
The game consists of two teams, each of 15 players, smashing into each other with their mighty force for nothing shy of 80 minutes a pop.
6. Climbing – a battle with the elements
Climbing, as well as mountaineering, are some of the most deadly and extreme sports you can engage with.
Battling with the elements and engaging so profusely with the rugged environment is bound to have its associated dangers. Still, you may be surprised to know that there are about 150 climbing-related deaths per year and hundreds of more injuries and missing person cases.
5. Car racing – a trendy sport
Car racing has been around since the invention of automobiles, but the introduction of Formula 1 racing has thrust this dangerous sport into the world’s eye.
Now quite a trendy sport, you often hear of people taking car racing outside of the professional arena, onto backstreets and suburban areas.
It’s not uncommon to read of deaths and dismemberment of both the drivers, passengers, and innocent bystanders due to this.
4. Skiiing – an alpine adventure sport
Skiing is primarily a mode of transport, but its significance as a hobby and sport has been prevalent for generations, and is quite popular today in Europe.
Although the sport first originated in Scandinavia, its beginnings well predate this. In fact, some scholars locate its origins in ancient China. Today, this is the most popular winter sport, and people flock to colder climates annually to give it a whirl.
Related: The World Bucket List’s guide to the best ski resorts in Austria
3. Big wave surfing – a dance with death
Surfing, even on four-foot (1.2-metre) waves, is quite the experience. The weight of the wave, the feeling when you fall under, smashed by the swell – it’s an experience that won’t soon be forgotten.
Now, just think about big wave surfing.
This craze, which is certainly one of the most dangerous sports in the world and proves popular in places like Australia and California, consists of daredevil surfers tackling some of the biggest waves in the world.
The Brazillian surfer, Maya Gabeira, holds the Guinness World Record for the largest wave surfed at 73.5 foot (22 metres).
2. Base jumping – the daredevil dive
Base jumping is another one of the most dangerous sports in the world.
In this adventure activity, thrill-seekers jump from the top of extreme precipices – buildings, bridges, cliffs, etc. First, they enjoy a significant period of freefall and eventually, they deploy their parachute, then drift safely back to earth.
The sport, which has roots as far back as 1617, is not newfound, but its popularity has become a worldwide viral phenomenon in recent decades.
Read: our alternative take on the safest sports in the world
1. Bull Riding – the rodeo sport
A bull is a mighty beast. So, as you can imagine, if you put a rider on top of it, you’re in for a serious hair-raising spectacle.
Popular across the U.S.A., the goal of bull riding is for the rider to stay on for as long as physically possible before being, inevitably, thrown off.
The real threat comes when the rider is flung from the bull. As you might expect, the bull is rarely in a good mood after being ridden.
Your questions answered about the most dangerous sports in the world
If you still have questions, we have you covered! In this section, we’ve compiled some of our readers’ most frequently asked questions and popular questions that have been asked online about this topic.
What’s the world’s most dangerous sport?
Any of the ten outlined above could be selected here, but we have went with Bull Riding as the most dangerous sport.
What is the least dangerous sport?
This is perhaps swimming, as it is non-contact, can be easy on the joints and can also assist your recovery.
What are the top 3 most dangerous jobs?
Choosing three is difficult, but the most dangerous jobs could be an aircraft pilot, roofers, deep-sea fishermen, construction workers and firefighters.
What sport has the most head injuries?
This is American Football, owing to the physical nature of the game and the ability to tackle head-first leading to many head injuries and collisions.
Is rugby more dangerous than football?
There is some research that suggests rugby players experience more overall injuries than American footballers do. Indeed, rugby players do not wear padding underneath the kit.
