(Relaxnews)

A muddy Scottish wetland in Argyll will be the arena for the fifth World Championships for Swamp Soccer in the UK occurring over the weekend of June 27.

Stewart Miller, who founded Swamp Soccer in the UK and is organizing the tournament, is expecting 5000 spectators to watch over 40 teams from Scotland and England compete in the mud for this year’s World Championship.

Swamp soccer originated in the swamps of Finland in the late 90’s when some cross country skiers thought they needed a change of pace in their training routine and decided to hold a soccer tournament. It has since gained popularity in many northern European countries and there are currently over 200 Swamp Soccer teams and tournaments held throughout the world.

Miller attributes the game’s growing appeal not to competitiveness, but to the all-inclusiveness and uniqueness of the game, where everyone has a fun, both spectators and participants alike.

“It’s an extreme sport that’s for everyone. Whoever wins becomes the world champion,” explained Miller adding that many of the participants travel very far just to have a good time.