Bubble Soccer in Germany
Football in inflatable bubbles – tackle-friendly, injury-free, groups of 6 to 40. Bachelor parties, corporate events, kids' birthdays, school sports days. 30+ German cities, English-speaking coaches.
- Price from
- €25 / person
- Group
- 6–40
- Age
- 7+
- Setup
- Indoor / Outdoor
Bubble Soccer, Bubble Football, Bumper Ball – all the same thing
If you've landed here after Googling "bubble soccer bubbles", "bubble football bubbles", "bubble ball" or "bubbleball" – they all describe the same sport. An inflatable TPU sphere worn over the upper body, football rules, tackling encouraged because the bubble absorbs all impact.
The naming is regional: "Bubble Soccer" dominates in the US and internationally, "Bubble Football" in the UK, "Bumper Ball" as an alternative in the US, "Loopy Ball" and "Hyper Balls" as commercial brand names. In Germany people say Bubble Soccer, Bubble Fußball or increasingly Bubbleball.
This page is our flagship English guide for Bubble Soccer events in Germany. If you're German, the deutsche Activity-Seite has the same content in German, plus a detailed blog article on the bubbles themselves.
What's actually inside a Bubble Soccer bubble?
Professional-grade bubbles consist of two layers of 1 mm TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) film, heat-welded at the seams. Inside you'll find two padded shoulder straps, two handles at waist height, and cushioning around the head opening. The bubble is inflated with an electric blower in about 5 minutes and stays rigid for 30–60 minutes of play.
Cheap bubbles use PVC instead of TPU. PVC is roughly 60% cheaper but ages faster, cracks in cold weather, and has lower tear resistance. At Bubble Nation we only use TPU and retire bubbles after 300 uses, well before visible wear.
| Bubble size | Diameter | Min. age | Body height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kids bubble | ~1.20 m | 7 | 120–150 cm |
| Standard | ~1.50 m | 14 | 150–185 cm |
| XL | ~1.70 m | 18 | 185–205 cm |
Rules, flow, and the typical event timeline
- 1Two teams, typically 4 vs 4 on the field with rotations.
- 2Football rules apply: score by kicking the ball into the opposing team's goal.
- 3Tackling is explicitly allowed. Bubble-on-bubble contact is the whole point. Hand-play, tripping without bubble contact, and helmet-to-helmet tackles from behind are banned.
- 4Rounds of 5–7 minutes with breaks between. Playing in a bubble is more tiring than it looks.
- 5For 12+ players: tournament format with group stage, semifinals and final – takes 75–90 minutes including prize ceremony.
Most common occasions
Bachelor / Bachelorette
Afternoon activity before the night out. Works especially well in Berlin, Munich, Cologne. English coaches included.
Corporate Team Events
Team-building for international teams. Tax-deductible up to €110 per employee under German corporate-event rules.
Kids Birthdays
Ages 7+, fully supervised, 60–120 minutes of wall-to-wall activity. Parents can relax.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Bubble Soccer, Bubble Football, Bumper Ball and Bubbleball?
None – they're all names for the same game. "Bubble Soccer" is the US/international standard, "Bubble Football" is the UK term, "Bumper Ball" is a US alternative, and "Bubbleball" is shorthand. Some vendors use "Loopy Ball" or "Hyper Balls" as marketing brand names. The product is identical: inflatable TPU bubbles covering the upper body, football rules, tackling allowed.
How do the bubbles actually work?
Each bubble is a double-layered TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) inflatable sphere with two shoulder straps and side handles inside. You step into it, put the straps over your shoulders, grab the handles, and you're encased in an air cushion from waist to forehead. Legs and arms are free. When you tackle someone, the bubbles absorb the impact and both players bounce harmlessly.
Is it safe? What about injuries?
Very safe. The inflated TPU structure absorbs tackle impact before it reaches your body. In over 10 years of Bubble Nation events in Germany, our injury rate has been under 0.5% – mostly minor scrapes. The bubbles fully protect the head, torso, and hips, which is where serious contact injuries happen in other sports. Ages 7 and up can play safely with correct bubble size.
What sizes do the bubbles come in?
Three standard sizes: kids bubble (~1.2m diameter, ages 7+, 120–150 cm height), standard bubble (~1.5m, ages 14+, 150–185 cm), and XL bubble (~1.7m, ages 18+, 185–205 cm). We bring all three sizes to every event and fit them individually. Glasses wearers get a sport strap for their glasses; long-haired players are recommended to tie hair back.
What's the minimum and maximum group size?
Minimum 6 players (two teams of 3). Ideal 10–16 players. Up to 40 in rotation or tournament format. For company events with 80+ people, we run parallel stations or multi-round knockout tournaments.
Can kids play? Is there a minimum age?
Ages 7 and up, using the smaller kids' bubble. Below 7 the bubble is too heavy to steer effectively. Most popular age range for birthday parties: 8–14. Teenagers usually transition to adult bubbles around age 12–14 depending on height.
Indoor or outdoor?
Both work. Outdoor on grass or artificial turf is the classic setup. Indoor in a sports hall (minimum 20×30 m) works for rain days or winter. We need a clean flat surface; the bubbles don't bounce well on gravel or rough concrete.
How much does it cost to play in Germany?
From €25 per person with Bubble Nation, including all equipment, setup, coach moderation, and insurance. Price scales down for groups over 20. For corporate team events: tax-free up to €110 per employee under German corporate-event rules.
Where in Germany can we book?
All 30+ major German cities: Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, Leipzig, Dresden, Hannover, Nuremberg, Bonn, Dortmund, Essen, and many more. English-speaking coaches are available in all cities on request.
Book your Bubble Soccer event
Tell us your city, group size, and date – we reply within 24 hours. English communication, no German required.