Sports games for corporate events: ideas and how to choose

Sport is a language everyone understands, which is why sports games for corporate events work so well: the rules need no explaining, the result is clear and anyone dares to compete, fan or not. Best of all, you don't need a sports hall or for your guests to change clothes.

In this guide we go through which sports-themed games suit a stand, a conference or a company party, how to combine them and what to consider before booking. All of them can be branded with your company's identity.

Why sports games work at a corporate event

A sports game for a company event has three advantages over other options. It is immediate: people understand what to do in seconds. It is visible: whoever plays becomes the show and draws in onlookers. And it is competitive without being aggressive: an on-screen score sparks jokes, rematches and conversation between colleagues, clients or suppliers.

Sports brand activations also fit sponsorships, product launches and consumer campaigns. If your brand is linked to football, snow or summer, there is a game that tells that story without a speech.

Another advantage is that these games work at any type of event: a busy trade show, a conference with long breaks or a team party. They can be played in a few minutes, standing and in everyday clothes, and they exclude nobody by age or fitness, which matters when the audience is mixed and professional.

Football without a pitch: kick meter and penalty simulator

The Kicker kick meter is a machine with a ball and a scoreboard that measures the power of a kick. Each participant gets an attempt and the screen shows the power instantly, so a queue forms by itself. It is perfect for football sponsorships and consumer brands, and the day's ranking makes a small prize easy.

The penalty simulator swaps power for accuracy: the player kicks a real ball at a screen where a virtual goalkeeper tries to save it, and the system detects the impact and shows the result. A penalty shoot-out between departments can be set up in an afternoon and everyone has an opinion from the sidelines.

Head-to-head duels: Subsoccer and mini golf

Not everyone wants a game with an audience. Subsoccer is a one-on-one football duel played with your feet on a low table. Matches last two minutes and the rules are simple, which makes it ideal for quick knockout rounds in a networking area.

Mini golf for events is modular: the holes are independent and can be combined as a course, so it fits a stand aisle, a terrace or a conference room. It is a calm, elegant way to mix managers and teams in a relaxed atmosphere, with a single person from the organisation counting strokes.

Snow and wave sports: ski, snowboard and surf

Simulators bring adventure sports into any room. The ski simulator is an arcade with skis, poles and a panoramic screen: you race down the slope dodging gates against the clock. In autumn and winter it suits snow-season campaigns and equipment, insurance or travel brands.

The snowboard simulator uses a board on a platform that reproduces the movements of the slope, with rounds of around two minutes. The surf simulator offers an interactive board that responds to the surfer's balance while the screen plays the wave. It has a summery feel that breaks the ice at any time of year.

Brand your sports games with your company identity

A sports game without identity is just entertainment; with your brand it becomes a memorable brand activation. We can adapt the vinyl, the start and results screens, the prizes for the best players and even the uniform of the staff running each station. You can also ask for contact details before playing to capture leads.

It is all explained on our custom branding page. If you already have a specific idea, tell us and we will fit it to each game's format.

How to organise a sports circuit with a leaderboard

What works best is not leaving the games isolated but linking them in a circuit with a final ranking. A simple outline:

• Pick three to five games that can be played in a few minutes.
• Give each participant a card or a registration to note their points.
• Show a visible leaderboard and announce the winners at the end of the event.
• Set aside one prize per game and one overall, so there are several chances to win.

Think about space too: ball games need some free run-up and simulators need a wall or a clear area for the screen. Check access and power points in advance. The cost depends on the number of games, the duration, the staff and the set-up, and we work it out in the quote for each event. You can see every option in the catalogue of event games.

A nice touch is to have one team member act as referee or host of the circuit: they cheer people on, answer questions and keep the pace. That way nobody stands idle and queues keep moving.

Frequently asked questions

Do you have to be an athlete to play?

No. These games are designed for all audiences, with short rounds and rules you understand just by watching.

Can football games be combined with simulators?

Yes, and it is the best approach: varying the type of game means every guest finds their own.

Are they also good for a company dinner or party?

Yes. Subsoccer and mini golf work very well at a party, while simulators draw attention in a separate area.

How much does it cost to hire them?

It depends on the games chosen, the duration, the staff and the set-up. We prepare a tailor-made quote.

Want to set up a sports activation at your next event? Tell us the dates, venue and goal on our contact and quote page and we will suggest a combination of games.