Corporate Christmas Party Ideas: Add Table Football to the Celebrations

There’s always someone who says they’re only going to watch.

Ten minutes later, they’re leaning over a table football table, organising their doubles partner and insisting the evening cannot possibly end before the rematch.

If you’re looking for corporate Christmas party ideas that get people involved, table football brings a lively mix of friendly competition, conversation and entertainment. It gives colleagues something to do together, whether they’re meeting for the first time or have worked alongside each other for years.

At the British Foosball Association, we can help you add it to your celebrations with quality hire tables, hosted games and the opportunity to challenge expert players.

Get the party started with a game

The beginning of a Christmas party can be a little tentative. People arrive at different times, settle into familiar groups and wait for the evening to get going.

A table football table gives those early arrivals something to gather around.

Someone suggests a game, a few more people come over to watch and the conversation starts naturally. New starters have an easy way to join in, while colleagues from different departments get a reason to introduce themselves.

You don’t need to prepare an icebreaker. “Want to be on my team?” usually does the job.

Give everyone another way to enjoy the evening

People enjoy Christmas parties in different ways. Some head straight for the dance floor. Others prefer a chat and something to eat.

Table football adds another option that guests can dip into throughout the celebration.

They can play a quick match before dinner, join a doubles game afterwards or watch colleagues attempt to defend their unbeaten record. There’s no need to commit to a full evening of competition.

It’s also easy to get started. Guests don’t need to follow football or have any previous experience. A few pointers are enough to enjoy a first game, and doubles lets four people take part at once.

The important thing is making the invitation friendly and giving people room to join when they’re ready.

Mix up the teams

A Christmas party is a chance to spend time with people beyond your usual working group.

Changing doubles partners helps that happen. Put colleagues from different offices together, introduce someone new or draw partnerships at random.

People who normally exchange formal emails can find themselves celebrating a last-second goal together. Job titles become rather less relevant when both players are trying to work out how the ball got past them.

Keep the games relaxed and encourage experienced players to support beginners. A good teammate makes a first game much more enjoyable, whatever the final score.

Add a festive tournament

If your team enjoys a little competition, a Christmas table football tournament can give the evening an extra highlight.

Keep the format simple and give everyone several opportunities to play. A straight knockout can leave beginners finished after one match, while a few short rounds let people settle in and enjoy themselves.

A host can organise the pairings, explain the rules and keep the games moving around food, speeches and other entertainment.

You can add a small trophy, festive team names or a prize for the best celebration. There’s also something to be said for recognising the most encouraging teammate.

The overall winners will probably remind everyone of their achievement without any assistance.

Challenge a Team GB player

For something your colleagues are unlikely to have tried at a previous Christmas party, bring an expert into the mix.

Through the BFA, you can discuss appearances from members of Team GB and World Champions, subject to availability. They can demonstrate shots, share tips and invite guests to test themselves in a friendly challenge.

Watching an expert play reveals how much skill there is in table football. Having a go against them makes the experience personal.

A good host can make those challenges fun for complete beginners as well as confident players. Guests get encouragement, a few useful pointers and the chance to score a goal they’ll be talking about well into January.

Bring tournament-quality tables to your venue

Our hire tables are ITSF-approved, meaning they are approved by the International Table Soccer Federation for competitive play.

That gives your guests the chance to enjoy table football on quality equipment, with smooth rods, a consistent playing surface and a sturdy build.

You don’t need to be an experienced player to appreciate the difference. A table that plays well makes it easier to control the ball, try a pass and discover that a carefully placed shot can be more effective than simply hitting it harder.

It also means anyone claiming that the table was responsible for their defeat may need a more convincing explanation.

Plan around your Christmas party

Whether your celebration is taking place at the office or an external venue, it helps to think about where table football will fit into the evening.

Choose a position where guests can see the activity and comfortably gather around it. Allow room for the rods and players, and keep walkways, exits and serving areas clear.

When enquiring, share your date, venue, approximate guest numbers and party timings. Mention any stairs, lifts or narrow doorways, along with the available setup and collection times.

Let us know whether you’re interested in casual play, a hosted tournament or expert appearances. If you’re looking for table-only hire, we can discuss that too.

Enquiring early gives you more time to explore availability and coordinate the arrangements with your venue.

Give your team a Christmas party story worth retelling

A great Christmas party leaves people with shared memories.

Table football can provide plenty: the unexpected winning partnership, the spectacular own goal or the colleague who scored against an expert and immediately requested witnesses.

It gets people playing, talking and enjoying time together away from their usual working routines.

Explore our Table Football Hire options and tell the British Foosball Association about your Christmas party plans.

We’ll help you get the games organised. Your colleagues can take care of the festive rivalry.