As the leaves change colors and fall to the ground, college football season approaches. It is also time for players to trade in their uniforms for flannels as they huddle around bonfires.

While people always make a big deal about college football season starting, there are plenty of other sports that begin this time of year.

To help you plan your fall weekends, here is a list of some great sports to watch during the next few months:

Ice Hockey Starts Again

The NHL’s regular season goes from October to April. It starts around mid-October and ends in early April. That leaves us with the best time of year for hockey, which is November through March. From top-ranked teams like Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks to rising stars like Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers) and Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres), there are plenty of reasons why it’s great to be an ice hockey fan in the fall.

Arm Wrestling

Don’t judge, but arm wrestling is one of the most underrated sports in America. It’s also coming back to ESPN2 on October 14 at 10:00 P.M.. Arm wrestling is a great way to enjoy the tail end of football season and it makes for an interesting competition. While there might not be as much on the line as in some other sports, it’s still entertaining to watch.

Cheerleading

With NFL and College Football back in season, cheerleading takes a big step forward. While most people don’t pay attention to high school or college cheerleaders during football season, they really should.

Who do you think gets the crowd excited before big games? It’s not the quarterbacks or running backs, it’s the cheerleaders! Cheerleading is a great way to get in the fall spirit and enjoy football season.

American Ninja Warrior

If you love watching obstacle courses, then this show has got to be one of your favorites. While it may not have a direct correlation with sports, it is always great to watch talented individuals compete. Whether they are trying out for the Olympics or competing on television, American Ninja Warrior brings a different aspect of sports that people don’t normally see and want to watch.

Gaelic Football

This Irish sport has been growing in popularity throughout America and should be watched by anyone who wants an alternative to football. It’s more of an end zone-to-end zone game, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t fun to watch. Gaelic Football is a mix between rugby and soccer. 

So if you ever wanted to see those two sports come together, Gaelic Football is the best way to do so.

Lacrosse

While it’s not as popular as football or basketball, Lacrosse has been growing in popularity over the past few years. It’s a great sport to watch at every level and can be played by men and women. If you are looking for a sport where speed is key, Lacrosse should be your choice. The game requires quick thinking and fast reflexes to play the best way possible. There are over 1 million athletes who play lacrosse in America alone, so these guys definitely have talent.

Horse Racing

Horse racing may not be as popular as football, basketball, or baseball but it is a great way to get away from the sports that everyone follows. There are no helmets or pads on any of these athletes and if you want to see something quick, then this is the sport for you.

College Football

While college football season doesn’t actually start in the fall (it begins in the summer), it’s still a great sport to watch. If you want to see passionate fans and players, there is no better place to go than a college football game. College football has been growing leaps and bounds over the past few years and it shows no signs of slowing down.

Whether you are looking for a good fall sport or alternative to football, any of these sports will be the perfect fit. So get out there and enjoy fall like never before!