Frequently Asked Questions About Bubble Soccer

Bubble soccer (also called bubble football or bumper ball) is a team sport in which players wear large inflatable bubbles covering their upper body and head. Teams try to score goals while bumping, bouncing and rolling off opponents. It originated in Norway in 2011 and is now played in over 80 countries worldwide.

Yes, bubble soccer is statistically safer than most conventional contact sports. The inflatable shell absorbs impacts and prevents direct body-to-body contact. Injuries are rare and typically minor (light bruising or muscle soreness) when proper safety guidelines are followed. Read our full Safety Tips & Maintenance guide for detailed protocols.

Children from about seven can play bubble soccer using junior-sized bubbles (1.2 m diameter), as long as they are roughly 1.20 m tall. Standard adult bubbles (1.5 m) fit players from about 160 cm. There is no upper age limit as long as participants are in reasonable physical health. See our Bubble Soccer for Kids guide for age-specific recommendations.

A standard match is five-a-side (ten players total), but bubble soccer works with as few as two people (one-on-one Bubble Sumo) or as many as seven per side for larger formats. For the best experience, we recommend at least three per team.

A typical match consists of two halves of five to eight minutes each, separated by a two-minute break. The short halves reflect the physically intense nature of the sport. Most event sessions run 60–90 minutes with multiple matches and rotations.

Bubble soccer can be played on grass, artificial turf, gym floors, rubber matting and even firm sand. The surface should be flat, free of debris and sharp objects, and have a minimum area of 20 × 15 metres. Indoor venues need at least 3 metres of ceiling clearance.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) bubbles are more affordable but heavier, can have a chemical odour, and stiffen in cold weather. TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) bubbles are lighter, odour-free, more durable and perform well across a wider temperature range. TPU costs about 20–30% more upfront but often lasts 40% longer. For a detailed comparison, read our PVC vs TPU guide.

Prices depend on material (PVC or TPU), size and quantity, and package pricing on sets of 8, 12 and 24 lowers the cost per ball; current prices are on our prices page. Every ball comes with a free carry bag and repair kit. Budget balls from unverified marketplaces exist but usually compromise on safety and durability.

For private use, 2–4 bubbles are sufficient. For five-a-side matches, you need 10 plus 2 spares. Event companies and rental businesses typically order 12–20 bubbles. Bubble Allstars offers mixed-size sets for groups with varying player heights.

Yes. Bubble Allstars offers custom logo printing on both PVC and TPU bubbles. This is popular with corporate clients for branded events, rental businesses for marketing visibility, and sports clubs for team identity. Contact us with your design for a quote.

With an electric air pump (recommended), a single bubble inflates in approximately 60–90 seconds. A full set of 12 can be ready in under 20 minutes. Manual pumps work but take significantly longer and are not practical for event use.

Players should wear comfortable athletic clothing and closed-toe trainers with good grip. No cleats with metal studs, sandals or bare feet. Remove all jewellery, watches and glasses before playing. Secure sports straps for glasses are acceptable.

Absolutely. Bubble soccer consistently rates as one of the most popular corporate team-building activities because it is inclusive (skill level does not matter), hilarious and creates shared memories that strengthen team bonds. Read our Corporate Team Building guide for planning advice and format ideas.

Yes, and many people have. Start-up costs are relatively low ($4,650–6,800 for a complete setup), margins are healthy, and repeat bookings are common. Our How to Start a Bubble Soccer Business guide provides a detailed step-by-step blueprint covering investment, pricing, marketing and operations.

Bubble soccer is a team sport where players' legs are free and they actively run, kick and compete. Zorbing involves being fully enclosed inside a large sphere and rolling passively, usually downhill. They are very different experiences — see our Bubble Soccer vs Zorbing article for a detailed comparison.

After each session, wipe down the interior with mild antibacterial solution and air-dry fully before storage. Inspect seams, valves and harnesses regularly. Patch small punctures with the included repair kit. Store deflated in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Our Safety Tips & Maintenance guide covers this in full detail.

Yes. Bubble Allstars delivers across Europe, typically within 14–20 business days after order confirmation. Other destinations are possible on request. Shipping costs depend on order size and destination — request a quote and we will include them.

All Bubble Allstars bubbles come with a two-year warranty covering manufacturing defects in seams and materials. The warranty does not cover damage from misuse, improper storage or normal wear. Every ball comes with a free carry bag and repair kit.

Light rain is fine — in fact, a wet grass surface can add to the fun with extra sliding. However, heavy rain reduces visibility through the bubble window and makes surfaces slippery, increasing fall risk. Lightning means all outdoor play must stop immediately. Always have a wet-weather backup plan for organised events.

Simply visit our website and use the quote request form, or email us directly at office@bubble-allstars.com. Tell us your use case, preferred material, approximate quantity and delivery location. We respond to every enquiry within 24 hours with a personalised quote including shipping costs.

The 1.2 m junior ball, for children about 1.20–1.60 m tall, which is roughly ages 7–12. From about 1.60 m, players fit the 1.5 m adult ball. Height matters more than age: the head should sit comfortably in the top viewing window.

Window balls have a transparent panel welded into the body, so the player can see the pitch, teammates and the ball. That helps orientation and reduces blind-side falls, which makes them popular for children and first-time players. They come in 1.5 m and 1.2 m, in PVC and TPU.

Our packages contain 8, 12 or 24 balls, with a carry bag and repair kit for every ball and electric pumps included. You choose PVC or TPU and the mix of 1.5 m and 1.2 m balls. The Startup package adds marketing materials, templates and two hours of consulting.

Typically 14–20 business days after order confirmation, as for the rest of Europe. Switzerland and the UK are outside the EU customs area, so please ask us about the delivery and import details for your order when you request a quote.

Yes. You receive a written, itemised quote within 24 hours that you can use for internal approval, and every order is invoiced with VAT shown. Within the EU, buyers without a VAT ID are always charged VAT. Ask about payment terms for public bodies when you request your quote.

Send your logo file with your enquiry and we prepare a layout for you to approve before production. Printing is available on PVC and TPU balls and is popular with companies, clubs and rental businesses. Minimum quantity and any extra lead time depend on the order, so ask for them in your quote.

For events, yes. An electric pump fills a ball in about 60–90 seconds, so a set of twelve is ready in under 20 minutes; a hand pump takes far longer and is best kept as a backup. Bubble Allstars supplies electric pumps with its packages and on request.

Small punctures can be fixed on the spot with the repair kit that comes with every ball. For seam damage or a suspected manufacturing defect, send us photos and your order number: the 24-month warranty covers defects in seams and materials, not misuse, improper storage or normal wear.

Only with care. PVC stiffens noticeably below about 15 °C, and near freezing its seams can crack. For outdoor play in autumn and winter choose TPU, which stays flexible down to around 0 °C. Store PVC balls indoors and let them warm up before inflating.

Ten, one per player, plus ideally two spares for rotation, punctures and pressure checks, which is why twelve is the standard set. For tournaments with back-to-back games, plan twelve balls per pitch.