Office Table Football Hire: Make Your Next Staff Social More Fun

The calendar invitation says “staff social”. There might be food, a few drinks and an opportunity to catch up with colleagues. But what gets people away from their usual groups and into the same conversation?

A table football table is a pretty good start.

Within minutes, colleagues are choosing partners, celebrating unlikely goals and discovering that someone from accounts has been keeping a very competitive streak quiet.

Office table football hire gives your team something fun to do together, with a game that’s quick to learn and easy to join. At the British Foosball Association, we can help you bring it to your next event, with quality tables and expert players who know how to get everyone involved.

Give people an easy way to join in

Even in a friendly workplace, staff socials can take a little time to get going. New starters might not know many people, while colleagues from different departments may rarely speak outside meetings.

Table football gives them a simple introduction.

“Want to be on my team?”

That’s enough to get four people around the table, sharing a game and finding something to laugh about. There’s no need for a carefully prepared icebreaker when somebody has just scored an own goal and is trying to explain how it happened.

It also gives people something to watch while they settle in. They can enjoy a match, chat with the other spectators and take a turn when they feel ready.

You don’t need an office full of football fans

Despite the name, table football doesn’t require any interest in the game played on a pitch.

Your guests don’t need to know the offside rule, support a team or own a pair of football boots. A few pointers on moving the players and hitting the ball are enough to get started.

It’s quick to learn, but there’s plenty to discover. Someone playing for the first time can enjoy scoring their first goal, while a more experienced colleague can work on a clever pass or a carefully placed shot.

Keep the early games relaxed, mix up the teams and give everyone space to find their feet. The aim is to make joining in feel easy.

Mix up the teams and the conversation

Doubles is particularly good for a staff social because it puts two people on the same side.

Pair colleagues from different departments, introduce a new starter to someone they haven’t worked with or change partners between games. Suddenly, people who normally exchange little more than an email are celebrating a comeback together.

There’s some natural teamwork involved too. Players encourage each other, talk through what they might try next and share responsibility when things go wrong.

A friendly “we’ll get the next one” goes a long way. So does remembering that your teammate is still learning.

Make it a proper break from screens

For teams who spend much of the working day at a computer, another hour looking at a screen might not feel much like a social occasion.

Table football brings the action into the room. People are watching the ball, talking to their partners and reacting to what’s happening in front of them.

It gives colleagues a chance to spend time together away from inboxes, presentations and video calls. For teams that usually work remotely, it can provide a shared activity when everyone finally gets together in person.

You may still want a photo of the winning team. Especially if they’re unlikely to let anyone forget the result.

Choose casual games or a friendly tournament

Office table football hire can fit around the event you already have planned.

For a relaxed social, let people drop in for short games throughout the evening. It gives guests something to return to between food, drinks and conversation.

If your team enjoys a little competition, a friendly tournament can give the occasion a focus. Changing partners helps people mix, while a format that gives everyone several games keeps newer players involved.

A final can be a fun way to round things off, but there’s plenty to celebrate along the way. Best comeback, most supportive teammate and most enthusiastic goal celebration are all worthy of recognition.

The last one may be fiercely contested.

Add expert players for something extra

A good table gets people playing. An experienced host can help turn those games into an event.

Through the BFA, you can discuss appearances from expert players, including members of Team GB and World Champions, subject to availability.

They can welcome beginners, explain the basics, organise matches and share a few techniques that guests can try straight away. A short demonstration also reveals just how much skill there is in a game many people have only played casually.

Then comes the opportunity to challenge an expert.

Your colleagues might not win, but scoring a goal against a top player could be enough to secure office bragging rights for quite some time.

Quality tables make the experience better

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

For your staff social, that means guests can enjoy playing on a proper tournament-standard table. Smooth rods, a consistent playing surface and a sturdy build make a difference, even for people who have never played before.

If your last experience involved a sticking handle or a table that wobbled every time someone took a shot, this is a chance to discover how enjoyable the game can be.

And with expert support available, you can give your team a better introduction from the first game.

Plan your office table football hire

Start with your event date, location, approximate guest numbers and the kind of social you’re organising. A lunchtime gathering, an after-work party and a company away day may each suit a different approach.

Think about where the table will sit, allowing space for the rods, players and spectators without blocking walkways. Let us know about stairs, lifts or narrow doorways so access can be discussed before booking.

We can help you consider the number of tables and whether casual play, hosted games or an organised competition would work best. If you’re looking for table hire on its own, we’re happy to discuss the options.

Make your next staff social one people talk about

A table football table gives colleagues a reason to come together, try something new and enjoy a bit of friendly competition.

It might introduce two people who have worked in the same building for years without properly meeting. It might reveal an unexpected talent. It will almost certainly produce at least one request for a rematch.

Explore our Table Football Hire options and tell us about your next staff social.

We’ll help you get the games going. Your team can take care of the celebrations.