Company Away Day Ideas: Bring Your Team Together with Table Football

The venue is booked, the agenda is taking shape and you’ve left some time for people to do something together.

Now comes the question: what will they actually enjoy?

A company away day brings people out of their usual routines. Table football gives them an easy way to make the most of that time, with friendly competition, new partnerships and plenty of opportunities to laugh together.

At the British Foosball Association, we can help you make it part of your day through table hire, hosted games and appearances from expert players, including members of Team GB and World Champions.

And nobody needs to bring their football boots.

Get colleagues talking beyond their usual teams

People naturally gravitate towards the colleagues they already know. That’s comfortable, but an away day is also a chance to make new connections.

Table football gives you a simple way to mix things up.

Pair people from different departments for doubles, introduce colleagues from separate offices or change partners between games. Within minutes, they have something to work on together and something to talk about afterwards.

A shared goal can make introductions feel much easier. So can a shared attempt to work out how the ball just rolled past both of you.

For colleagues who usually meet through video calls, playing alongside each other adds a different dimension to spending time in person.

Choose an activity people can learn quickly

An away day activity needs to work for a group with different interests and levels of experience.

Table football is quick to pick up. A short explanation of the handles, the basic rules and which goal you’re aiming for is enough to get a first game started.

Guests don’t need to follow football or consider themselves sporty. There’s plenty to enjoy in making a save, completing a pass or scoring a slightly accidental goal.

A host can help beginners settle in and match people into suitable games. Those who prefer to watch first can get a feel for the activity before joining.

Keep participation welcoming, and give people the freedom to find their own way into the fun.

Give the day a change of pace

Even a well-planned away day can involve a lot of sitting, listening and looking at screens.

A table football session offers a lively break. People leave their seats, turn their attention to the game and spend time with colleagues in a different setting.

You might use casual games as people arrive, schedule a hosted session after lunch or finish the day with a friendly competition.

The timing should suit the rest of your programme. A short break calls for quick games and easy rotation. A longer activity slot gives you room for demonstrations, practice and several rounds of play.

There’s no need to squeeze an entire tournament into the gap before the next presentation.

Put encouragement into practice

Doubles table football gives each player a role and a partner to support.

One person takes the attacking rods while the other looks after the defensive end. Both contribute to the result, and both will make mistakes along the way.

A good partnership makes room for those mistakes. Players encourage each other, share observations between points and celebrate the contributions that led to a goal.

It’s a useful setting for practising clear communication and patience, without turning every match into a formal lesson.

Sometimes, the most helpful thing a teammate can say is simply, “Don’t worry, we’ll get the next one.”

Add a challenge from Team GB

For an away day with something extra, bring in someone who can show your team what the game is capable of.

Through the BFA, you can discuss appearances from Team GB players and World Champions, subject to availability. They can demonstrate techniques, explain how they approach a match and help guests try a few skills themselves.

Then your colleagues can step up for a friendly challenge.

Beginners might aim to score a single goal or save a particular shot. More experienced players can test themselves against someone who has competed at the highest level.

An expert host can adapt the experience to the group, keeping it enjoyable and giving everyone something to try.

There will almost certainly be someone who announces that they used to be very good at university. This is their moment.

Run a competition that keeps everyone involved

If you want a tournament, choose a format that gives people several games.

An immediate knockout can leave half the group finished after one match. Short rounds with changing partners let colleagues meet more people and give newer players time to grow in confidence.

A host can organise pairings, explain the scoring and keep things moving. That leaves your team free to enjoy the session and your event organiser free to concentrate on the rest of the day.

A final and a small prize can provide an enjoyable finish. You can also recognise the most supportive teammate, best comeback or most enthusiastic celebration.

Winning is fun. Having a good experience shouldn’t depend on it.

Plan the tables around your group

The right setup depends on your guest numbers, available space and how much time you’ve set aside.

One table might suit casual play during breaks. A larger group taking part in a dedicated session may need several tables so everyone has enough playing time.

The BFA offers ITSF-approved tables, giving your colleagues the chance to enjoy tournament-standard equipment. Smooth rods and a consistent playing surface make a difference, even when someone is learning the basics.

Check that your venue has room for the tables, players and spectators, with clear walkways around the activity. Share any access restrictions, including stairs, lifts or narrow doorways, when discussing the arrangements.

We can talk through table-only hire or a hosted package, with a bespoke quote covering the agreed delivery, setup and collection arrangements.

Make room for the moments people remember

An away day gives colleagues a chance to build connections they can carry back into everyday working life.

Table football can help create those moments: a new starter finding a supportive doubles partner, two departments sharing a close final or a normally reserved colleague producing the loudest celebration of the afternoon.

You don’t need everyone to become a regular player. An enjoyable shared experience is a worthwhile result.

Explore our Table Football Hire options and tell the British Foosball Association about your company away day.

Share your date, venue, group size and plans, and we’ll help you find a format that fits.

Just be prepared for someone to ask when the next competition is happening.