Underwater Rugby

Six-a-side sport played in three dimensions in a deep pool — throw a saltwater-weighted ball into the opposing basket.

👥6 per team🌤indoor

What is Underwater Rugby?

Underwater rugby is played in a deep pool (3.5–5 m) by six-a-side teams. Players wear mask, fins and snorkel and pass a slightly-negative-buoyancy ball filled with saltwater in three dimensions to score in a metal basket on the pool floor. Wrestling for the ball is legal. Germany has been the historical world power.

Quick facts

Category

Aquatic Sports

Type

Team sport

Players

6 per team

Where played

indoor

Country of origin

🇩🇪 Germany

Estimated origin

1961, Cologne, Germany (Ludwig von Bersuda)

Olympic

No

Popularity

regional

Sources & provenance

Last verified 2026-08-20.verified