10 amazing sports that you’ll only find in Nashville
Honky-Tonk Jousting
The Broadway bars have created a unique Nashville sport: Honky-Tonk Jousting. Contestants mount mechanical bulls armed with guitar-shaped lances. Riders must joust while a live country band performs, and the last rider remaining is crowned the “King of the Honky-Tonk.” Accidentally hitting a musician results in immediate disqualification and eternal shame.
Cumberland River Gondola Racing
Instead of paddleboards or canoes, people in Nashville race gondolas down the Cumberland River. To make it more exciting, participants must strum a banjo, a mandolin, or a fiddle while steering the gondola. The races are traditionally concluded with a dramatic opera performance at the Riverfront Park.
BBQ Rodeo
In the heart of Nashville’s meat-loving culture, the BBQ Rodeo takes place. Contestants must ride a bucking pig while eating a pulled pork sandwich. The goal is to stay on the pig the longest while also consuming the sandwich without dropping a single morsel. The event is typically held at Centennial Park, next to the Parthenon, for added dramatic flair.
Hot Chicken Wing Eating Relay
Nashville’s famous for its hot chicken, and this sport celebrates that in the wildest way. Teams run a relay from East Nashville to Music Row while eating increasingly spicy chicken wings. Dropping a wing or failing to complete a leg results in penalties, often involving gulps of ultra-spicy hot sauce.
Grand Ole Tug-of-War-Pry
Held annually at the Grand Ole Opry, teams composed of musicians, fans, and stagehands participate in a gigantic tug-of-war contest. The twist? Everyone has to wear cowboy boots on a floor slicked with cooking oil. Yeehaw!
Scooter Polo
With the proliferation of electric scooters downtown, Nashvillians invented Scooter Polo. The game is a blend of traditional polo and bumper cars, played on scooters. Helmets are mandatory, but protective cowboy hats are strongly encouraged.
Parthenon Discus Throw
Held at Nashville’s very own Parthenon replica, contestants must throw vinyl records instead of traditional discuses. The aim is to have your record land closest to the statue of Athena without knocking over any columns. Historians cry, but hipsters cheer.
Country Croquet
Set in the luxurious Belle Meade, Country Croquet is croquet with a twist. Instead of mallets, players use guitar necks, and instead of balls, they use wrapped-up bandanas. The wickets are made from repurposed steel guitar strings. It’s as country as it gets!
Banjo-Kazooie Long Jump
No, not the video game. In this sport, participants hold a banjo in one hand and a kazoo in the other. While attempting a long jump, they have to play both instruments simultaneously. Extra points are awarded for playing a recognizable tune. Takes place yearly at the Nissan Stadium.
Two-Stepping Marathon
It’s a marathon, but you have to two-step the entire way. Held along the scenic Natchez Trace, couples must two-step for 26.2 miles. There are live country bands at every mile marker, and finishing without a partner results in disqualification. The catch is, you can swap partners at designated “Heartbreak Stations” along the route.
