Bandy

Bandy is a team winter sport played on ice in which two teams of 11 players, including a goalkeeper, compete with a hard ball and curved sticks to score in the opponent's goal. The game is often described as hockey on ice, but it is played on a larger rink and uses a ball instead of a puck.

Players wear skates and protective gear. The playing surface is a large sheet of ice, roughly the size of a football pitch, surrounded by boards. The goals resemble football goals. The ball is a bright, hard ball, typically orange or red.

Rules are determined by the sport's international governing body, the Federation of International Bandy (FIB). The game blends elements of football and ice hockey, emphasizing speed, stick-handling, and precise passing. Matches are played in domestic leagues and international competitions, with rules and equipment standardized across levels.

Historically, bandy originated in 19th-century England and was subsequently adopted and developed in Sweden and Russia. Today the sport is most widely played in Russia, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Kazakhstan. Major club competitions include Russia’s Bandy Super League and Sweden’s top-tier leagues, while the Bandy World Championship is the premier international event, featuring men’s and women’s tournaments.