A bubble football tournament for companies of 20–40 people works best as short five-a-side matches with rotation: 10–12 people play at once while the rest catch their breath and cheer. For 20 people the standard hour (about 45 minutes of actual play) is enough, with 30 it’s worth adding half an hour, and for 40 we plan 2 hours. Below you’ll find ready-made formats for each group size, a schedule table and the games that work best.
We’ve been running bumper ball matches in Krakow for years. With every company booking we first ask: how many people will play, and how much time do you have? The whole format depends on the answers.
What does a bubble football tournament for companies look like?
Every player puts on an inflatable ball like a rucksack, with adjustable straps and two hand grips. Once inflated, the ball weighs about 10 kg and covers you from head to knees, while your legs stay outside – so you can run, kick the ball and crash into your opponents. Before the game we run a briefing on how to put the ball on safely, and the referee enforces the safety rules and picks games to suit the group.
We have 10 balls 1.5 m in diameter for players from about 150 cm tall and 2 large 1.7 m balls for those from about 180 cm. The maximum player weight is 100 kg. Since 10–12 people fit on the pitch at once, we split a larger group into teams and play a mini tournament so everyone plays. Substitutions aren’t a punishment: with 10 kg on your back, stamina runs out faster than you’d think, so a few minutes on the bench are a welcome breather.
Tournament formats for 20, 30 and 40 people
The bigger the group, the more substitutions and time you need for everyone to play roughly equally. With 20 people, half the group is on the pitch; with 40, only one in four – so we plan twice as much time for 40 as for 20.
20 people: 4 teams, 1 hour
- 4 teams of 5; two are always on the pitch while the other two rest.
- Round-robin group stage: 6 matches of about 4 minutes, each team plays three times.
- To finish, Last Man Standing in two rounds of 10 players and a final between the two best teams.
- It all fits into the standard hour; for more games, extend play by 30 minutes.
30 people: 6 teams, 1.5 hours
- 6 teams of 5 in two groups of three.
- 3 matches in each group, then a final between the group winners and a third-place play-off.
- Between the group stage and the finals, Bubble Sumo and Bubble Bowling for the whole group.
- One hour isn’t enough here – plan the standard hour plus a 30-minute extension.
40 people: 8 teams, 2 hours
- 8 teams of 5 in two groups of four.
- 12 group matches of about 4 minutes, then a final and a third-place play-off.
- A water break after the group stage, and games for everyone before the final.
- To be honest: with 40 people, one hour isn’t enough. Each team would play once or twice and barely warm up – hence 2 hours.
Sample company tournament schedule
The table shows how we divide the time in each format. It’s an example, not a rigid rulebook – the referee adjusts match length to the group’s pace and fitness.
| Stage | 20 people (1 h) | 30 people (1.5 h) | 40 people (2 h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome, team split, briefing, warm-up | 10 min | 10 min | 15 min |
| Group stage (4–5 min matches) | 30 min, 6 matches | 35 min, 6 matches | 65 min, 12 matches |
| Water break | – | 5 min | 10 min |
| Games for everyone | 10 min | 20 min | 15 min |
| Final and third-place play-off | 5 min (final only) | 10 min | 10 min |
| Prize-giving and group photo | 5 min | 10 min | 5 min |
Add 15 minutes before the start for arriving and getting changed. If dinner follows, allow time to change again.
Games that suit a company tournament
The referee mixes matches with individual and whole-group games, so the excitement doesn’t fade even for teams that are out. You can choose from:
- Match – football in bubbles, short games between teams of 5–6. Players go down far more often than goals go in.
- Bubble Sumo – one-on-one or team duels: whoever pushes their opponent out of the marked area wins.
- Last Man Standing – everyone on the pitch, every player for themselves; the last one left wins.
- Bubble Bowling – one player is the ball and the rest line up like pins. The score is how many “pins” get knocked over.
- Rugby – instead of scoring a goal, you have to carry the ball over the opponents’ line.
- Bulldog – players run to the other side while the “bulldogs” in the middle try to stop them.
Tip for organisers: award points for these games too and add them to the team table, so the whole tournament – not just the final – decides the winner. The rules of each game are in our article on bubble football games: Bubble Sumo, Bulldog, Last Man Standing and more.
Let’s plan your company tournament
Tell us the number of people and the date, and we’ll pick the format, the hall and the games. We reply within 24 hours and issue VAT invoices to companies.
Ask about a datePrefer to call? +48 509 196 229 – Sylwester. We reply within 24 hours.
How do you split the group into teams?
You have two good options. The first is mixed teams, with one or two people from each department, so accounts plays shoulder to shoulder with IT – the best format for bonding. The second is a department league: emotions run higher, but make sure one team isn’t all marathon runners and another all management board.
A few simple rules help with the split:
- spread the sportiest and tallest people across different teams;
- teams can mix men and women – the referee will pick games to suit the group;
- give the teams names – on the pitch, ball colours tell them apart;
- tell us about anyone from about 180 cm tall when you book – there are only two large balls, so the referee will factor this into the line-ups.
Not everyone has to play. If someone is over 100 kg or would rather cheer, give them an important role: keeping the scoreboard, commentating, keeping time or coaching a team. That way nobody is left standing by the wall.
Where to hold a company tournament in Krakow
A sports hall is the easiest option. We play at Com Com Zone, ul. Ptaszyckiego 6 in Nowa Huta, and in the hall at al. Jana Pawła II 37, and if you’d prefer somewhere else, we’ll find and book a venue – we work with halls all over Krakow. A hall is also best in summer, as we don’t recommend playing in full sun at midday.
You can also hold the tournament outdoors: on an Orlik (one of the free public all-weather pitches built across Poland), on grass or on your company grounds. Delivery of the balls is free within 15 km of Krakow city centre (beyond that, €0.23/km), and we travel all over Poland. This option suits a bigger event – see our guide to company picnics and sports days.
How much does a bubble football tournament for a company cost?
Prices are per person and include the standard hour of play:
- Without a hall – €17/person: 10–12 balls, free delivery in Krakow, about 45 minutes of actual play and the organiser’s supervision.
- With a hall – €22/person: the same plus sports hall rental.
- With a VIP hall – €28/person: additionally a game host and referee, souvenir photos, a bottle of water for everyone and a professional warm-up.
At a tournament, a referee who keeps the table and watches the clock is handy. One is included in the VIP package; with the others you can add the “game host and referee” option for €34/h, speaker for music included.
Photo coverage (20–25 photos plus a group photo) costs €34, and a short HD video €78. Extended play, transport for participants and catering are priced individually. The full list is in our bumper ball price list and on our page about bumper ball matches for company events in Krakow.
What happens after the tournament?
It’s best to schedule the match before the party: bubble football is for sober players, and the toasts can wait for the evening. We’ll help with the rest of the day – a restaurant table, a VIP booth at a club, transport from your hotel and back, or an evening party cruise on the Vistula with Boat Party. If you’d rather stay on dry land, the Tram Party party tram will take you around Krakow. For more inspiration, see our list of 20 team building ideas in Krakow.
Pre-tournament checklist
- Number of people – it decides the format: 20 people means 1 hour, 30 people 1.5 hours, 40 people 2 hours.
- Height and weight – players from about 150 cm, maximum 100 kg; tell us about anyone from about 180 cm when you book.
- Venue – a sports hall, an Orlik pitch or your company grounds; in summer, a hall is better.
- Clothing – PE kit: shorts or a tracksuit, a T-shirt and trainers. Plus water.
- Roles and prizes – jobs for non-players and a cup or medals for the winners.
- Paperwork – your details for the VAT invoice and a plan for the rest of the day.
Run a tournament between departments
We’ll bring the balls, a referee and music, or book a hall – you just pick the teams. We reply within 24 hours.
Check availabilityPrefer to call? +48 509 196 229 – Sylwester. We reply within 24 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to be good at football to play in a bubble football tournament?
No. Some games, like Bubble Sumo or Last Man Standing, don’t involve a ball at all, and in a match fun counts for more than technique. All you need is sports kit and a readiness to fall over a few times.
Can you organise a tournament for more than 40 people?
Yes, though it needs more time and more teams. We’ll plan and price it individually.
Can the tournament take place at our company’s premises?
Yes – we’ll bring the balls to your lawn, Orlik pitch or the sports hall you use. On site, our team member inflates the balls, shows everyone how to put them on and supervises the game.
How far in advance should we book a company tournament?
The earlier, the more choice of halls and time slots – especially if you need two hours for 40 people. Get in touch even if you only know a rough date.
