12 Million Paintballers in 100 Countries

Statistics Show That Over 12 Million People Play Paintball in 100 Countries Worldwide

It is 40 + years since paintball was taken from the cowboys (real cowboys that used paintball guns to mark cattle, and then turned it on each other for fun) and into dedicated sites and arenas. It has grown to become recognised as one of the world’s most exciting outdoor participation sports that requires all the tactics and skill of any other team sport to be successful.

Paintball is now played in over 100 countries by over 12 million players of all ages and lifestyles that share in a common love of the adrenalin pumping sport that offers them fun and competition as individuals. For groups, it has the added benefits of building strong work teams and friendship networks providing bonding and leadership skills.

Games
Like all good sports, tactics are employed for success and strict rules ensure fair play. Players are skill or age matched in teams and are sent out on various missions, or games, during half or full day sessions. The most popular game is ‘Capture the Flag.’ The object of the game is to capture the other team’s flag while protecting your own. While you are trying to capture the opposition’s flag, you also try to eliminate opposing players, thus making your progress easier. Other games are called ‘The Bomb’, ‘Pig in a Pen’,  ‘Predator V Prey’, ‘Civil War’, ‘Last Man Standing’ and many others. All games run for 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the size of the field and the number of players in each team.

Safety
For safety, paintball players always must wear goggles specifically designed for paintball to protect their eyes. Goggles must be worn during a game and at all times when a person is in an area where shooting is permitted. Paintball is a very safe sport as long as safety rules are followed. Insurance statistics have shown that paintball is safer than golf, jogging, tennis, swimming and many other sports.

Marshals on the field enforce safety and game rules. No physical contact is permitted in the game, and players are ejected from games or the site for breaking safety or playing rules. Fields have boundaries, and a player who steps outside a field’s boundary is eliminated from that game.

Players
Paintball is a sport played by people from all professions and lifestyles. It is a sport where women and men compete equally, and where age is not dominated by youth. Like a game of chess, being able to think quickly and decisively is what makes you a star in paintball. Intelligence and determination, not merely strength, speed or agility, are key to success in the sport.

Benefits
Paintball is a character-building sport. Players learn about teamwork, gain self-confidence and develop leadership abilities while having fun. Increasingly, corporations are discovering the many benefits of having their staff and management participate in paintball games. It’s is also a chance to shake off your day-to-day responsibilities and rekindle your spirit of adventure. When the adrenalin starts pumping, you can’t help but love the thrill of the game!