Ireland will soon to playing host to some of the continent's very best dodgeball players with the 2025 European Dodgeball Championship.
While most people's knowledge of the sport may come from a certain 2004 Hollywood comedy, the world of competitive dodgeball is alive and well.
In fact, it has been hailed as one of the fastest growing sports in the world at the moment.
The fast-rising game is now ducking from ESPN 8: The Ocho and diving into Limerick next year for the 2025 European Dodgeball Championship.
From June 26 to 29, the sport will be taking over the University of Limerick across men's, women's, and mixed events.
In total, a whopping 600 athletes from 21 countries - including Ireland and Northern Ireland - will be competing for the top prizes.
On top of that, it will also be the first European Dodgeball Championships to include both cloth and foam ball formats.
The biennial event is run by the European Dodgeball Federation (EDF) has been on the go since 2010. The championships have grown rapidly in that time considering the first edition featuring just six nations and one category.
'Limerick being selected as the host for the biggest event in the history of European Dodgeball Championships is a testament to our city’s vibrant sporting culture and our commitment to fostering athletic excellence', said Limerick City and County Council speaker Cllr Dan McSweeney.
'We look forward to welcoming the 600 players alongside all of the spectators to Limerick in June. We are excited to witness the skills and sportsmanship on display.
'University of Limerick is an ideal venue for an international sports tournament, boasting world-class facilities, a vibrant campus, and a strong tradition of hosting major sporting events,' added Tamas Heitzmann of the Irish Dodgeball Association.
'Irish Dodgeball has long aspired to bring an international tournament to Ireland, and that dream is becoming a reality. We are thrilled to welcome our dodgeball friends from across Europe and show them what Irish Dodgeball with UL can achieve.'
* This article was originally published on GeekIreland.com.
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