Majority of people love to travel, there is no doubt about that. Traveling most often means living for a short period of time in various locations in order to get to know the culture, cuisine, landscapes, architecture and history of the place so one could fully feel the atmosphere of being there.
This is how most people spend their travel time. There are many areas of life that are almost always neglected by regular tourists, one of which is local sport. There is, however, a branch of tourism that fully focuses on local sports events, it is called “groundhopping”.
The main purpose of groundhopping is to attend as many matches on different stadiums as possible. The term “match” mostly relates to football match, as groundhopping found its origin in football in the 70s in England, but any other sport discipline event can also count! A groundhopper – traveller, person who participate in groundhopping – visits various stadiums, arenas, fields or even ice rinks throughout the year, both abroad and in the country he/she lives.
"Stadio Karol Wojtyła" in Campagna region, Italy, 8th division.
source: private photo
Some groundhoppers stick to very specific rules, which state all requirements that need to be fulfilled, so that one could mark the match as “seen”. For example, there may be a rule that excludes exhibition matches from the list of valid events. Other rule may state, that the match can only be validated, when the groundhopper crossed the minimum time threshold of match watching. The threshold might be equal to 45 or 70 minutes, but might as well be equal to whole match duration.
Hockey match in Joensuu.
source: private photo
There is no standard rules list or universal code of law for groundhoppers. The rules are stated by organized societies, groups of friends or even personal units for themselves. The best example for organized society I mentioned, is “The 92 club”. It was founded – without any surprise - in United Kingdom and is the most famous groundhoppers club. One can join the club, if he/she visits all 92 stadiums of clubs which compete in the professional leagues tier.
Logo of "The 92 club"
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_92_Club
For a majority of people the idea of groundhopping might seem like a irrational waste of time and money. It is indeed, amazingly niche hobby, but it is also outstandingly fun and relaxing, believe me. Having been on various sport events in a couple of different countries and many polish regions, I experienced a lot of wonderful moments, some of them not even related to sport at all.
Stadio Olimpico, Roma, Serie A match.
source: private photo
Together with friends, who I know since forever, we had an opportunity to witness various sport events in Europe. Those events included i.a. Champions League match between Napoli and Arsenal in Naples, a hockey match of Jokipojat in Finland or last but not least – the first stage of Polish Cup in Kunki, somewhere in the Warmia-Masuria voivodeship. After all those matches I saw, I can honestly and proudly describe myself as a groundhopper. I recommend this to everyone. Like any other travel-related activity, it lets you slow down for a moment and fully clear your mind. I hope to see you on the stadium some day!
1. Have you ever heard about groundhopping before?
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
3. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know?
Comments
2. To be honest – no. I am not that interested in sport events, but I respect that kind of spending time. It is definitely better than laying on the beach or wasting time other ways. It’s great when someone has such interests and enjoy unconventional activities.
3. Is hitch-hiking unconventional? Probably not so much. As a rail fan, I’d like to go on the train trip across Europe someday. Paradoxically, it can be much more expensive than traveling by plane. A motorcycle trip would also be great. Other than that, it’s always interesting to see places, which are not very popular among tourists, for example some artic areas, or unusual places like North Korea, or Chernobyl.
No, the concept is new to me, I am not that interested in sport to be honest.
2.
I like to travel, so each excuse to do so is valid. I would like to visit China and watch all the great table tennis players there.
3.
Couchsurfing or travelling by volunteering are both not that popular. The first one is about staying at other peoples homes - at their couch, it gives travel some authenticity compared with staying in hotels. Also volunteering can open possibilities to travel to bizzare places.
1. No, I have never heard about groundhopping. I first learned from this blog.
2. Generally, I really like traveling, but to travel behind sport, I don't think so. I don't really like sport and it seems like a waste of time and money.
3. I think that I don't really know any other unconventional types of traveling.
I didn't know that this phenomenon has a name. There is a "Kartofliska" channel in Poland. His hobby is watching football matches. He watches about 200 football matches a year. Mainly in Poland, but also abroad. Especially or watch matches from the lowest, that is the weakest
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
I didn't know it had a name. There's a channel on youtube "Kartofliska" in Poland. His hobby is watching football matches. He watches about 200 football matches a year. Mainly in Poland, but also abroad. He especially likes to watch matches from the lowest leagues, the weakest ones.
3. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know
For me, the more interesting way to travel is Yachtostop. Most people are unaware of the existence of this mode of transport, which is a very close brother of hitchhiking. It's nothing more than catching a boat, for example a yacht, in order to travel a particular stretch of water. For example, if you want to get from Europe to Mexico via the Atlantic Ocean, you're looking for a vessel that goes in that direction. My colleague, on the other hand, sailed the Vistula in a pontoon.
I've never heard of it. None of my friends, I have several in PZPN, MZPN and friends of football referees, didn't tell me about such a thing.
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
I don't know. Every journey educates. That's certainly also, but do I want to go and watch matches in stadiums, siting in different parts of it? I don't think I'm such a football fan.
3. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know?
I have friends with whom we buy cheap airline tickets and visit airports. Maybe funny but exciting. Fly to Japan for 1000 PLN with three changes and see five airports along the way. Recommends.
2. I’m not really into it. When I go somewhere abroad, stadiums are the last places I want to go.
3. I don’t understand people who travel on music tours of their favourite bands.
A.d.3. I think it can still be labeled as "unconventional" although not being that rare. Oh yeah, I would actually also like to have all the extraordinary trips you mentioned.
Ad. 3. Oh yeah, I heard about them. It seems like a nice experience.
Never before. However, I have to admit that there is something to it that makes it look interesting. When I think about a trip which main goal is to attend as many events as possible, a smile appears immediately on my face. If you are a sports fan - this seems like the best thing in the world.
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
I am not sure if I would like to attend so many games in such a short time but if I were a bigger sports fan I definately would love to. Maybe if the thing was about attending World Cup matches, then I would strongly consider it.
3. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know?
Hitchhiking seems like a pretty well-known thing nowdays but there are not many people who actually have tried it. I remember that there was this event not so long ago called "Autostop challenge" which was about getting from point A to point B which was in a different country only by hitchhiking. Interesting thing, I have to admit that.
About the last answer - it seems really interesting. One may definitely experience a lot during that trip.
A.d.2 I understand that and I like the fact that you do not discredit the activity just because you would not do that.
Also, the autostop challenge really seems like a lot of fun. It may be something to consider after watching too many matches.
I saw this channel on YouTube named "Kartofliska" - so yes. I didn't know that it has a name though.
I didn't know that this phenomenon has a name. There is a "Kartofliska" channel in Poland. His hobby is watching football matches. He watches about 200 football matches a year. Mainly in Poland, but also abroad. Especially or watch matches from the lowest, that is the weakest
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
I prefer to play than to watch - so not so really. I could try to play a match with the locals during my trips, which could be more interesting.
3. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know
The only one I know and practice is hitch-hiking. It's very fun, you meet a lot of people, seek better places to catch the occasion and it's best to do it in pairs - but I recommend going with a female friend, people are scared to get two men into their cars.
2. When it comes to travels, I'm always YES. Every way to visit a new place or get to know it even from the sports side is interesting. If I had to choose, maybe it would be Portugal.
3. Recently, I was very interested in going on a motorhome, which will take half a year. It has not yet been determined what the region of the world will be - Asia, North and South America. Each of these places is very interesting and worth visiting. However, school and professional commitments prevented me from attending. Now that coronavirus is raging around the world, it's impossible, but if this madness ends, I'll come back to this topic.
No, never. An interesting way of traveling indeed.
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
No, sadly, I am not a huge sports fan. In fact I am not a fan of sports at all.
3. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know?
Unconventional? It depends. For some people even taking long trips (I am talking 3+ days straight) by car is unconventional enough.
2 / I think I would like to visit those countries that do this, for example ... In Scotland, there is its own “Club 38”, in Germany the “German Association of Ground Hoppers”. Austria, Poland, Sweden - these are exactly the countries in which grocery shopping has become part of the culture.
3 / Kinotourism.
Cinematographers long for at least a short while to become characters in their favorite movie, and there are two ways. You can follow in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes in the UK or rent a red Chevrolet Impala and ride with yellow glasses along the route of the heroes of “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”. And you can be right in the scenery of your favorite movie. For example, to explore every corner of Tolkien’s Middle-earth in New Zealand, to see the alien landscapes of Star Wars in the Tunisian Tatavin, Matmata and Tauzar.
2. Honestly no, I’m not a fan of sport events
3. I think that I haven’t heard of other unconventional types of travelling. Personally I think that there are two types of travelers the ones who want to lay by the pool in the hotel and the ones who want to see as much as possible from different city or country and here there are lots of possibilities for example eating local species, living like local.
No I haven’t as I am not a football fan unfortunately but I am sure that my friends who are interested in football must have heard about it.
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
No, I don’t think so, but I said in my first answer – I am sure that my friends would love to go on that kind of trip. Can’t really say for sure which country would they choose but I think it would be UK or Spain as these are the leagues they watch most frequently.
3. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know?
My girlfriend’s friend used to travel on scooter with her friend around Thailand. None of them had driving license 😊.
Not, not at all, it's my very first time I hear this term. I think my sport knowledge is very negligible and groundhopping sounds like inside baseball for football fans.
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
Sorry, if that's a proposition I need to kindly reject it. The closest sport-oriented thing in my heart would be esport but even that make me so bored watching gaming matches. I can't put myself in the fan's shoes, watching sports is just too boring for me.
3. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know?
I've heard about couchsurfing and once I even hosted someone in my apartment. The experience wasn't bad but exciting enough to host someone again. I've considered couchsurfing during my next travel but... apparently I didn't travel at all, aside from business-trips, for past five years.
No, I wouldn't even think about it if not for your article.
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
Not at all, I am not interested in watching sports.
3. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know?
Travelling to eat specific type of food (e.g. beef in Spain), couch-surfing, hitchhiking.
No, to be honest I have never heard about it.
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
Yes, it looks like great experience. I would definitly chose some of Asia countries becouse they seems really wild.
3. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know?
I don't understand this kind of travelers mentioned in the article but I really like to travel to visit all of Michelin recommended restaurants
I have never heard about groundhopping before, I have heard that some people do it but I wasn’t aware that it had a name.
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
To be honest I probably wouldn’t, I’m not really that into sports. And for me the most interesting aspect of every trip is food and not sightseeing or local sports events.
2. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know?
I’m not sure if it fits under the unconventional type, but I do know and really like traveling through countries by scooter or bike, especially some exotic places. You can see the different culture, not just the version for tourists but also the day to day version.
No, I've never heard of it.
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
Yes, I think it would be something really interesting that I've never done before. I am a big fan of Italian football, so I think I would like to start my journey from this country.
3. What other unconventional types of traveling do you know?
Hitchhiking is quite strange and interesting, especially in another country. Traveling in this way, we don't know where we will really get and where we will sleep, it must be really fascinating.
No, it the first time I have heard about this. To be honest, before reading your article I cannot even imagine, that there is such a thing.
2. Would you like to go on a trip like that? If yes – what country/region would you choose?
To be honest - no. I prefer to go through the city street, simply watching as local people go somewhere, I prefer to sit in some cafe and drink a cup of coffee rather than sitting on a stadium and watch some game. Moreover, I am not a big fan of the sport.
3. What other unconventional types of travelling do you know?
I have heard about party-travelling. Like exploring the nightlife of someplace. I've also heard about some Couchsurfing and water-surfing travellers. As far as I know, there are some people, who travel for different food also.