A Brief History of the Rules
Bubble football — also called zorb football or bumper ball — has no single governing body, which means the rules vary from league to league and country to country. The sport first surfaced in Norway in 2011 when comedians Henrik Elvestad and Johan Golden pulled on inflatable zorb-like suits on a football pitch. What began as a comedy sketch quickly turned into a real competitive format. Early adopters made the rules up as they went along, but by 2014 several national associations had set down basic standards. Most organised leagues now follow a broadly similar ruleset, and the guidelines below reflect the consensus used in tournaments from Britain and the rest of Europe to North America and Australia. Whether you are hosting a casual match or a competitive league night, these rules will serve as your go-to reference.
Standard Match Format
A standard bubble football match is played between two teams of five (four outfield players plus a goalkeeper, though plenty of casual games skip the keeper). The pitch is typically 25–30 metres long and 15–20 metres wide — roughly half the size of a five-a-side football pitch. Matches run to two halves of five to eight minutes each, separated by a two-minute half-time break. The short halves reflect how physically demanding the sport is: running and bumping inside a suit is exhausting. A coin toss decides which side kicks off. The ball is placed on the centre mark and play begins on the referee's whistle. After a goal, the conceding team restarts from the centre. Substitutes, where available, rotate in at half-time or during stoppages at the referee's discretion.
Essential Playing Rules
Every player except the goalkeeper must wear a properly inflated suit throughout play. The suit must cover the player's torso and head; arms come through the side openings and legs stay free for running and kicking. Players may bump opponents with the suit — front-on, side-on and back-to-back contact are all legal. Charging a stationary player from behind, deliberately targeting the legs below the suit, and using elbows, fists or the head outside the shell are fouls. If a player goes down and cannot get up unaided, the referee stops play and team-mates may help. The ball may be kicked, headed (through the suit) or deflected off the shell. Handball follows standard football: deliberate use of arms or hands outside the suit results in a free kick.
Fouls, Free Kicks and Penalties
Common fouls include tripping, charging from behind, sliding tackles (usually banned outright on safety grounds) and removing or partly unstrapping the suit during play. A foul inside the penalty area results in a penalty taken from six metres. Free kicks are indirect unless the foul is judged dangerous, in which case the referee may award a direct free kick. Yellow and red cards are used in competitive leagues: two yellows make a red, and a red means the player is off for the remainder of the half with no substitute. In recreational play, referees often swap cards for a simple sin bin of one to two minutes.
Popular Game Variations
One of the best things about bubble football is how flexible it is. Last Man Standing is a free-for-all in which players try to knock everyone else over — the last one upright wins. Bubble Sumo puts two players in a small circle and the first to push the other out takes the round. Bubble Relay is a team race in which players dribble a ball through a cone course in their suits. Bubble Bowling sets ten foam pins at one end of the pitch and a player rolls into them. Capture the Flag adds a tactical layer, with teams retrieving a flag from the opposition zone while defending their own. These variations work brilliantly at corporate events and parties — for more ideas on event formats, see our Planning Bubble Football Events guide.
Setting Up the Pitch
You do not need a professional sports facility. Any flat, obstacle-free area of at least 20 × 15 metres will do — a sports hall, a grass pitch, a 3G or astroturf surface, or even a large car park covered with rubber matting. Mark the boundaries with cones or tape. Put two small goals (roughly 3 × 1.5 metres) at each end; collapsible pop-up goals are ideal. Clear any sharp objects, stones or debris from the playing surface before kick-off. Indoors, make sure the ceiling height is at least three metres so players can bounce upright inside their suits. If you need help choosing the right kit for your venue, Bubble Allstars offers free consultation as part of every quote.
Referee and Scorekeeping Tips
Every match should have at least one referee — two for competitive games. The referee enforces the rules, starts and stops play, keeps time and records goals. In casual settings, a shared phone timer and a simple whiteboard are plenty for scorekeeping. For tournaments, appoint a dedicated scorekeeper and use a bracket or round-robin format. Brief all players on the key rules before the first whistle; a two-minute safety talk dramatically reduces incidents and keeps the event running smoothly.
Quick-Start Checklist
To make your first bubble football match a success, work through this checklist: confirm a flat, clear playing surface of at least 20 × 15 metres; inflate every suit to the recommended pressure (see our Safety Tips & Maintenance guide); set up goals and mark the boundaries with cones; appoint a referee and brief players on the core rules; split into teams of five; play two halves of six minutes; rotate substitutes at half-time; and, most importantly, enjoy it. If you are planning a larger event with several matches, our Planning Bubble Football Events article covers scheduling, logistics and promotion in detail.
Frequently asked questions
What are the basic rules of bubble football?
The basic rules are those of five-a-side football, plus bumping. Two teams try to score in small goals. Players may bump opponents with the bubble from the front or side, but not from behind, not below the bubble and not while someone is down. A referee stops play whenever a player cannot get up.
How long is a bubble football match?
Usually two halves of five to eight minutes with a two-minute break. Halves are short because running inside a bubble is exhausting. For children, three to four minutes per half works better. Most events fit several matches and rotations into 60–90 minutes.
How big should a bubble football pitch be?
About 25–30 m long and 15–20 m wide for five-a-side, and never smaller than 20 × 15 m. The surface must be flat and free of stones or debris. Indoors you need at least 3 m of ceiling height. Small pop-up goals of roughly 3 × 1.5 m are ideal.
Do you need a goalkeeper in bubble football?
No. Competitive leagues often play four outfield players plus a keeper, but many casual games skip the goalkeeper and use smaller goals instead. That keeps everyone running and bumping, which is the whole point of the game.