Bubble Football: Frequently Asked Questions

Bubble football — also known as zorb football or bumper ball — is a team sport where players climb into large inflatable suits that cover the upper body and head, then try to score goals while bumping, bouncing and rolling off one another. It began in Norway in 2011 and is played in over 80 countries today.

It is, and the statistics put it ahead of most conventional contact sports. The inflatable shell takes the impact and stops players colliding body to body. Where the safety guidelines are followed, injuries are rare and generally amount to light bruising or sore muscles. The protocols are set out in our Safety Tips & Maintenance guide.

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.

Five-a-side is standard, meaning ten players, but the game stretches from two people in a one-on-one Bubble Sumo up to seven a side in the bigger formats. Three per team is about the minimum for a proper game.

Two halves of five to eight minutes with a two-minute break between them is typical. The halves are short because the sport is genuinely intense. A full session at an event usually runs 60–90 minutes across several matches and rotations.

Grass, artificial turf, sports hall floors, rubber matting and firm sand all work. What matters is that the surface is flat, clear of debris and anything sharp, and at least 20 × 15 metres. Indoors you want a minimum of 3 metres of ceiling clearance.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) costs less but is heavier, can smell of chemicals when new and stiffens in the cold. TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is lighter, odour-free, more durable and steadier across a wider temperature range. TPU is roughly 20–30% dearer up front and often lasts 40% longer. Our PVC vs TPU guide sets them side by side.

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.

Two to four is plenty for private use. Five-a-side calls for 10 plus 2 spares. Event companies and hire operators normally order 12–20. Bubble Allstars puts together mixed-size sets where player heights vary.

Yes. Custom logo printing is available on PVC and TPU alike. Corporate clients use it for branded events, hire operators for visibility, and clubs for team identity. Send on your design and we will quote for it.

About 60–90 seconds per suit with an electric air pump, which is what we recommend. A set of 12 is ready inside 20 minutes. A manual pump will do it, but it takes far longer and is no use at an event.

Comfortable sports clothing with closed-toe trainers that grip. Studded boots, sandals and bare feet are out. Take off jewellery, watches and glasses before playing; a secure sports strap for glasses is acceptable.

It is one of the best. Corporate groups rate it highly because ability counts for little, the whole thing is funny, and everyone leaves with the same shared memory. Planning advice and format ideas are in our Corporate Team Building guide.

Many people have. A complete setup costs somewhere around €4,650–6,800, margins hold up well and customers rebook. Our How to Start a Bubble Football Business guide works through investment, pricing, marketing and operations step by step.

Bubble football leaves the legs free, so players run, kick and compete against each other. Zorbing seals you inside a large sphere to roll along passively, usually down a hill. They are entirely different experiences, and our Bubble Football vs Zorbing article compares them properly.

Wipe the interior with a mild antibacterial solution after every session and let it air-dry completely before storage. Check seams, valves and harnesses regularly. Small punctures go to the repair kit that came with the order. Store them deflated somewhere cool and dry, away from sunlight. Our Safety Tips & Maintenance guide has the detail.

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.

A bit of rain does no harm, and a wet grass pitch adds a fair amount to the fun. Heavy rain is different: visibility through the window drops and the surface turns slippery, which makes falls more likely. Lightning stops outdoor play immediately. For any organised event, have the wet-weather plan ready.

Use the quote request form on our website, or email office@bubble-allstars.com directly. Give us the use case, preferred material, rough quantity and delivery location. Every enquiry gets a personalised quote including delivery costs within 24 hours.

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, the same as for the rest of Europe. Shipping costs are listed in your quote. For deliveries to Northern Ireland or Great Britain, please ask us about the delivery and import details for your order.

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 number 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 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.