If you’ve been thinking of trying paintball but have no idea where to start, you’re not alone. There are a large number of paintball game facilities across North America, Europe, and even South Africa. Depending on your skill level and your budget, you can find a facility to play paintball in your area. But where is paintball most popular? Read on to discover the most popular paintball locations around the world.
Asia
If you’ve ever played paintball, then you know that Asia is a popular destination for the sport. Paintball in Malaysia is the most popular sport in the world, and the country is home to the largest paintball community. The country hosts the Paintball Asia League Series, a series of events throughout Asia. In addition to the Malaysia Paintball League, paintball is also popular in Japan, China, and South Korea.
The biggest paintball tournament in Asia, the Paintball World Cup, takes place every December in Malaysia. It started in 2006, featuring 54 Malaysian teams and 36 international teams. Today, the tournament has grown to include more than 120 teams, and is recognized by the Millennium Series in Europe. Winners of Paintball World Cup Asia earn automatic qualification for the Millennium Series in Europe. There are many paintball tournaments in Asia, so finding a tournament near you is easy.
Europe
The sport of paintball is most common in Europe, especially the United Kingdom and France. The game is an excellent exercise that develops communication and teamwork skills. Paintball competitions are also a fun way to meet people from other countries and develop friendships. Paintball is a growing sport and the sport is gaining popularity in both countries. If you want to play paintball, consider visiting Europe. Here are some tips to get started:
Paintball is played in many cities across Europe. The National Xball League European Circuit has four days of fast-paced action and includes the UPBF Championships. This paintball event also has a large vendor trade show featuring the biggest names in the sport and the latest gear. There are more than 2,000 players in the paintball community in Europe, so there is sure to be plenty of competition. Paintball tournaments are also popular in India, and paintball is gaining in popularity in many cities.
North America
Paintball was first played recreationally in the mid-1980s. With the increasing popularity of the sport, it has evolved into a team sport with varying degrees of strategy and camouflage. Today, players participate in paintball tournaments sponsored by Pepsi-Cola and Budweiser. They can also play paintball in a wide variety of different settings, including the park, beach, or woods.
Paintball events vary across the globe. Paintball tournaments are skill-based competitions, usually with five-person teams playing in brackets. In the United States, the National X-ball League (NXL) holds events throughout the summer months, with different skill divisions. Similarly, the Ultimate Woodsball League plays tournaments in wooded fields, with large teams competing in large-scale events.
To protect themselves from injuries, players must wear paintball goggles and face masks while playing. Older designs used safety goggles, but modern paintball goggles are far more comfortable and protective. They protect the wearer from paintball impacts and incidental contact with rocks and hard ground. Modern paintball masks also feature a protective ear and mouth guard and are less bulky than earlier versions. Some players also choose to remove their mouth and ear protection, though this is not a practice recommended at commercial paintball venues.
South Africa
One of the biggest paintball leagues in the country is the South African Regional Paintball League. With over 500 members in 2014, this league runs 3 man and 5-man events throughout the country, including regional and national finals. Each year, the league holds 31 events, with a national finals held at the end of December. The league uses the NXL Mercy-to format and APPA player classification system.
The sport was first played in South Africa during the Swartkop Airshow in 2002. This event was attended by more than 80 paintball players and simulated a counter-terrorist raid on a weapons dealer. The event was so popular that the United Paintball Federation even held a Women’s Paintball World Championship in Cape Town. In 2013, South Africa sent the first U16, U19, Women’s and Veteran teams to compete at the world championships.