NEbubblefootball.co.uk
BEST FOR
Up to age 18
ENTRY
from £20
WHERE
Newcastle upon Tyne
What it’s like
Zorb yourself into a giant inflatable bubble and bounce off your mates in a proper contact football match.
This is bubble football, dodgeball and combat archery with everyone strapped into a bubble suit roughly 1.5 metres across, so the usual rules of "watch your knee" go out the window and bouncing off each other is the whole point. There's also an old school sports day option with sack races, egg and spoon and space hopper races, which sounds tame until you remember everyone's about to fall over anyway. Games come to you, since this is a mobile setup that turns up to a pitch you've booked rather than a fixed venue, so the site or hall you pick needs to be right. Concrete and hard surfaces are ruled out entirely, and even some artificial pitches won't do, so a decent grass pitch or proper indoor sports hall is what they're after.
Kids need to be 6 and up and at least 5ft tall to fit the equipment safely, with a weight cap of 22 stone. That age six minimum is really a fit-and-safety thing rather than a maturity test, so a small but sturdy six-year-old might be fine where a tall but slight one might not. Under-18s need a parent or guardian's consent before they play, which is one more form to sort before the big day but not a big ask.
Prices run from £20 a head for dodgeball or an old school sports day up to £25 for bubble football or combat archery, and if you fancy mixing it up there's a two-activity combo at £40 or a full multi-activity sports day at £55. Party packages for up to 15 players start at £200 for a dodgeball kids' party, with bubble football, goggle football, combat archery and old school sports day parties running £250 for 60 minutes or £350 for 90. Booking's essential, since you need to contact the team directly with your activity, location and date to check what's free.
Wear normal sports kit, trainers rather than football boots, and shin pads if you've got them, since this is genuine contact and injuries are a real (if bubble-cushioned) possibility. Outdoor sessions can be postponed for bad weather, and turning up late eats into your slot without any promise of extra time tacked on, so getting there on time matters more than usual.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Ages 6 to 18, sturdier kids fit the bubbles better than tall thin ones
- Booking
- Advance booking required. Contact team with party type, location and date/time to check availability
- Parties
- Children parties available 60-180 min, up to 15 players, with bubble football, combat archery, goggle football
- Under-18s need a parent or guardian's consent form before playing.
- Bring your own shin pads if you've got them, the bubbles only protect from the waist up.
- Late arrivals lose playing time rather than getting it added on at the end.
- Check your bubble straps the moment they feel loose and flag it to staff before carrying on.
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
£20 a head for dodgeball or an old school sports day, £25 for bubble football or combat archery. A two-activity mix is £40, and a full multi-activity sports day is £55.
What about birthday parties?
Parties for up to 15 players start at £200 for dodgeball, with bubble football, goggle football, combat archery and old school sports day options running £250 for 60 minutes or £350 for 90.
Do we need to book in advance?
Yes, you contact the team directly with your activity, location and preferred date and time to check availability.
Is there a minimum age?
Six years old for bubble football, subject to the child fitting the equipment safely and following instructions.
Are there height or weight limits?
Minimum height is 5ft (152cm) and maximum weight is 22 stone (140kg). These can vary a bit depending on the activity and equipment.
What should we wear?
Comfortable sports clothing and trainers, not football boots or metal studs. Shin pads and knee protection are recommended given the contact involved.
Can family and friends watch?
Spectators are generally welcome, but they need to stay in the designated safe areas rather than the playing area.
What venue do we need to provide?
A good-quality grass pitch or an indoor sports hall works best. Concrete and other hard surfaces are not suitable for bubble football.
Will bad weather stop play?
Outdoor bookings can be postponed for heavy rain, storms or high winds. Indoor bookings sidestep that risk entirely.
What if a child needs to stop or feels unwell?
Staff run water breaks and can pause or remove a participant if needed. Choosing not to take part once you've arrived does not get you a refund though.
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