Bandy has the potential to significantly expand the scope of winter sports both within and beyond the current Winter Olympic framework. To become a foundational part of the Olympic Sports Programme, it is essential to include disciplines that reflect meaningful participation in winter sports across diverse geographies and demographics, particularly in regions like the Sub-Arctic Climate Zone.

Many existing Winter Olympic disciplines lack universal reach, often rooted in regional or national traditions concentrated in Western countries. According to the Olympic Charter’s principles of universality (3rd and 6th Principles), true representation requires activity across five continents. The IOC’s 1973 guidelines stated that new sports must demonstrate participation from 25 nations across three continents. Despite this, many Winter Olympic disciplines have not met these criteria. While ice hockey and alpine skiing have achieved this threshold, five disciplines still remain limited to a single continent. Moreover, in many Western countries, winter sports are confined to sparsely populated snowy regions rather than being practiced nationwide