Frequently Asked Questions About Bubble Football

Bubble football (also called zorb football or bumper ball) is a team sport in which players wear large inflatable suits covering the upper body and head. Teams try to score goals while bumping, bouncing and rolling off each other. It started in Norway in 2011 and is now played in more than 80 countries.

Yes — statistically it is safer than most conventional contact sports. The inflatable shell absorbs impacts and keeps players from colliding body to body. Injuries are rare and usually minor, such as light bruising or muscle soreness, provided the safety guidelines are followed. Our full Safety Tips & Maintenance guide sets out the protocols.

Children from about seven can play bubble football using junior-sized suits (1.2 m diameter), as long as they are roughly 1.20 m tall. Standard adult suits (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 Football for Kids guide for age-specific recommendations.

A standard match is five-a-side, so ten players, but bubble football works with as few as two people in a one-on-one Bubble Sumo and as many as seven a side in larger formats. For the best experience we suggest at least three per team.

A typical match is two halves of five to eight minutes each, with a two-minute break between them. The short halves reflect how physically intense the sport is. Most event sessions run 60–90 minutes with several matches and rotations.

Bubble football works on grass, artificial turf, sports hall floors, rubber matting and even firm sand. The surface should be flat, clear of debris and sharp objects, and at least 20 × 15 metres. Indoor venues need a minimum of 3 metres of ceiling clearance.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) suits are more affordable but heavier, can carry a chemical odour and stiffen in cold weather. TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) suits are lighter, odour-free, more durable and perform well across a wider temperature range. TPU costs about 20–30% more up front but often lasts 40% longer. Our PVC vs TPU guide compares them in detail.

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

For private use, 2–4 suits will do. For five-a-side matches you need 10 plus 2 spares. Event companies and hire businesses typically order 12–20. Bubble Allstars supplies mixed-size sets for groups with varying player heights.

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

With an electric air pump, which we recommend, a single suit inflates in roughly 60–90 seconds. A full set of 12 can be ready in under 20 minutes. Manual pumps work but take considerably longer and are not practical for events.

Comfortable sports clothing and closed-toe trainers with good grip. No studded boots, sandals or bare feet. All jewellery, watches and glasses come off before play, though secure sports straps for glasses are fine.

Absolutely. It consistently rates among the most popular corporate team-building activities because it is inclusive — skill level barely matters — hilarious, and it creates shared memories that strengthen team bonds. Our Corporate Team Building guide covers planning and format ideas.

Yes, and plenty of people have. Start-up costs are relatively low at around £4,150–6,200 for a complete setup, margins are healthy and repeat bookings are common. Our How to Start a Bubble Football Business guide is a detailed step-by-step blueprint covering investment, pricing, marketing and operations.

In bubble football the player's legs are free and they run, kick and compete. Zorbing means being fully enclosed inside a large sphere and rolling along passively, usually downhill. They are very different experiences — our Bubble Football vs Zorbing article compares them in detail.

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

Yes. Bubble Allstars delivers across Europe, typically within 14–20 working 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 suits 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 suit comes with a free carry bag and repair kit.

Light rain is fine — a wet grass surface can even add to the fun with extra sliding. Heavy rain is another matter: it reduces visibility through the window and makes surfaces slippery, which raises the risk of falls. Lightning means all outdoor play stops immediately. Always have a wet-weather plan for an organised event.

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 answer every enquiry within 24 hours with a personalised quote including delivery costs.

The 1.2 m junior suit, 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 suit. Height matters more than age: the head should sit comfortably in the top viewing window.

Window suits 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 suits, with a carry bag and repair kit for every suit and electric pumps included. You choose PVC or TPU and the mix of 1.5 m and 1.2 m suits. The Startup package adds marketing materials, templates and two hours of consulting.

Typically 14–20 working days after order confirmation, as for the rest of Europe. The UK is 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 comes with a proper invoice. How VAT and import charges apply to a UK delivery depends on the order, so please ask us when you request your quote, together with payment terms for public bodies.

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 suits 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 suit 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 suit. 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 suits 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 suits per pitch.