Albufeira, Amsterdam and more
In bubble football you climb into an inflatable zorb that covers you from the knees up, then play five-a-side.
In bubble football you climb into an inflatable zorb that covers you from the knees up, then play five-a-side. Most of the game is flattening each other, and the ball is close to an afterthought. Referees run short matches with breaks, because it is hot inside the bubble.
Human table football straps the teams to horizontal bars in an inflatable pitch, so you can only move sideways. It is less physical and better for a mixed-fitness group.
Sportswear and trainers, no boots with studs. Empty your pockets and leave watches and glasses with the kit bag.
Open a city to see the weekends you can add it to.
Bubble football in Albufeira is played on a hired pitch near the main Strip, sometimes indoors. Games last an hour (90 minutes for groups of 20 or more), with ten suits rotating five against five and start times between 10am and 5pm. It is 18+ and weather dependent. The midday heat in the suits is the real opponent, so book a morning slot in summer and bring plenty of water. Some bookings leave transport to you, so check whether a transfer is included.
Barcelona's bubble football is played at a sports venue in or near the centre, sometimes about 20 minutes' drive out, and it can be indoors or outdoors depending on the site. A session is an hour for 10 to 20 players with around ten bubbles, so bigger groups rotate in and out. The rules are strictly enforced: nobody plays after drinking, there is no alcohol during the game, and shirts stay on, with removal and no refund for breaking them. Bring water, as it gets very hot inside the bubbles. The two- or three-activity mix, lasting two to two and a half hours, suits a group wanting variety.
Birmingham sessions are usually played at a five-a-side centre on Lichfield Road, north-east of the centre, though the exact pitch is often confirmed only two weeks before. Arrive 15 minutes early for the hour. Bubbles take players up to 6ft 5in and 22 stone. Trainers and a T-shirt only: no football boots and no bare chests. Groups of 20 or more usually get an extra half hour of games. Pitches are outdoor 3G, so bring a warm layer in winter and book it before the evening rather than after.
In Bournemouth, bubble football is usually played at a leisure centre on Manor Farm Road in Kinson, so allow travel time from the centre. Sessions last an hour; arrive 15 minutes early. Wear trainers and a T-shirt; boots and bare chests are not allowed, and the limits are 6ft 5in and 22 stone. The final venue is confirmed about two weeks before. Giant human table football, where players are strapped to poles on an inflatable pitch, runs separately for 90 minutes to two hours, depending on group size.
Brighton's bubble football usually runs at a leisure centre on Falmer Road or at a gym on Manor Road, with the final venue confirmed around two weeks ahead, so build in travel time from the seafront. Sessions last an hour, and you should arrive 15 minutes early. Wear trainers and a T-shirt; football boots and bare chests are not allowed, and the limits are 6ft 5in and 22 stone. The double session, one hour of bubble football and one of beer-goggle football, is played on an outdoor 3G pitch, so bring a layer.
Bubble football in Cardiff is played at five-a-side centres in Leckwith, west of the centre, or off Manor Way in the north, and the pitch is usually confirmed about two weeks before. Allow an hour on the pitch and arrive 15 minutes early. Bubbles take players up to 6ft 5in and 22 stone. Trainers and a T-shirt only, with no football boots and no bare chests. Groups of 20 or more usually get an extra 30 minutes. Pitches are mostly outdoor, so a morning slot works best.
Bubble football in Dublin is usually played on outdoor all-weather pitches such as those in Templeogue, south-west of the centre. A game lasts an hour with ten suits rotating five against five, and groups of 20 or more get about 90 minutes. Arrive 15 minutes early. Wear trainers and a T-shirt: football boots and bare chests are not allowed, and the suits take players up to about 6 foot 5 and 22 stone. The exact pitch is often confirmed only two weeks before, and a mobile version can come to your accommodation if there is open space.
Bubble football for Edinburgh groups is played on five-a-side pitches at Portobello, by the beach on the east side, or at Sighthill in the west. A game lasts an hour, with an extra 30 minutes for groups of 20 or more, and you should arrive 15 minutes early. Wear trainers and a T-shirt: boots and bare chests are not allowed, and the suits take players up to about 6 foot 5 and 22 stone. Goggle football is the 18+ alternative. Pitches are outdoor 3G, and the exact venue may be confirmed only two weeks before.
Lisbon's bubble football pitch is about 20 to 25 minutes' drive from the centre, an outdoor pitch with a cover overhead, which gives some shade in summer. A session is an hour with an English-speaking referee, for 8 to 25 players. The exact venue is confirmed in the final itinerary closer to the weekend, and transfers and lunch at the venue can be added. Bring sun cream, water and trainers, as it is still hot under the cover in July and August. It suits the morning after the first night out, before the heat of the day builds.
Liverpool sessions are usually played at a five-a-side centre on Whittle Street, north of the city centre, although the pitch is confirmed about two weeks before. Allow an hour and arrive 15 minutes early. Bubbles take players up to 6ft 5in and 22 stone. Trainers and a T-shirt only, with no football boots and no bare chests. Groups of 20 or more usually get an extra 30 minutes. Pitches are outdoor 3G. On a match weekend, book a morning slot so it does not clash with kick-off.
Bubble football for London groups is usually on the five-a-side pitches in Shoreditch, close to the bars for afterwards. A game is an hour, with an extra 30 minutes for groups of 20 or more, and you should arrive 15 minutes early. Wear trainers and a T-shirt: boots and bare chests are not allowed, and the suits take players up to about 6 foot 5 and 22 stone. Goggle football, played in vision-distorting goggles, is the 18+ alternative. The exact pitch can be confirmed only two weeks before, so hold off on travel plans until then.
Bubble football in Newcastle usually runs at a five-a-side centre on Ropery Road, across the river in Gateshead, a short taxi from the centre. Sessions are an hour, and you should arrive 15 minutes early to get into the bubbles. Wear trainers and a T-shirt; football boots and bare chests are not allowed, and the limits are 6ft 5in and 22 stone. The pitch can be indoors or outdoors, and the exact venue is confirmed around two weeks before. Beer-goggle football is a sillier variant at the same site and pairs well with it.
Prague's bubble football pitches are a short ride from the centre, roughly 10 to 30 minutes depending on the venue. A session is an hour with a referee and 10 to 12 bubbles, which makes 10 to 16 players the comfortable group size. Everyone must be 18 or over. For a bigger or mixed-fitness group, look at the two-hour games combination, which rotates small teams through human table football, footdarts and giant beer pong. Wear trainers and clothes you can move in, and bring water because it gets hot inside the bubbles. Return transfers are often an add-on, so check they are booked.
2 nights
From £145 pp
Flights are not included.
A shared self-catering apartment near the Old Town, budget standard, with a kitchen for the group to use.
2 nights
From £265 pp
Flights are not included.
A central hotel in Bournemouth, within a short walk of the beach and the town-centre bars.
1 night
From £95 pp
Flights are not included.
Central accommodation in Brighton, within reach of the Lanes on foot.
2 nights
From £230 pp
Flights are not included.
A central hotel in Dublin, within walking distance of the pubs.
2 nights
From £205 pp
Flights are not included.
A central hotel in Brighton, with the Lanes and the seafront both close at hand.
IN THEIR WORDS
Brilliant festival … the event was organised extremely well and there was always someone on hand to help with anything.
Albufeira, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, Liverpool, London, Newcastle and Prague.
In Albufeira, from £31 pp. In Amsterdam, from £44 pp. In Barcelona, from £31 pp. In Birmingham, from £28 pp. In Bournemouth, from £37 pp. In Brighton, from £28 pp. In Cardiff, from £28 pp. In Dublin, from £33 pp. In Edinburgh, from £28 pp. In Lisbon, from £45 pp. In Liverpool, from £28 pp. In London, from £28 pp. In Newcastle, from £28 pp. In Prague, from £53 pp. Flights are not included.
Yes, in any of these cities: Albufeira, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, Liverpool, London, Newcastle and Prague. Add it when you get an instant price, or ask us.
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