In this part of our web guide, we'll explore paintball, a team-based combat sport where players eliminate their opponents by hitting them with dye-filled gelatin capsules, known as paintballs, which burst upon impact.
Paintball combines strategy, teamwork, and physical endurance as much as shooting skills. The sport's roots go back to the 1970s when the Nelson Paint Company developed oil-based paintballs for marking trees and livestock. The idea of using these paintballs in a game was conceived by Hayes Noel, Charles Gaines, and Robert Gurnsey in 1979, and the first official paintball game was held in Henniker, New Hampshire, in 1981. Played with Nelspot 007 paintball guns, this game marked the beginning of paintball as a recreational sport.
Announced after this game, the National Survival Game (NSG) was launched in 1982, promoting the sport of paintball and selling equipment. The sport quickly gained popularity, leading to the establishment of commercial paintball fields and the formation of leagues and tournaments.
Paintball is played by two or more teams whose objective is to eliminate opponents by hitting them with paintballs shot from a paintball marker (gun). The game can be played in various formats, including Capture the Flag, in which the objective is for a team to capture the opponent's flag and return it to their base; Elimination, the objective being for a team to eliminate all of the members of the opposing team; and Scenario games that are based on specific themes or historical events and can last for several hours or even days.
Paintball can be played in a nearly unlimited variety of venues. Some common types of paintball fields include outdoor fields with natural terrain, such as forests and hills, providing a realistic combat experience. Purposefully made speedball fields are smaller, flat fields with artificial bunkers and obstacles designed for fast-paced competitive play. Scenario fields are designed to replicate specific scenarios or historical battles, often featuring elaborate structures and props. However, unofficial recreational paintball games can and frequently are played pretty much anywhere, albeit sometimes with legal repercussions.
Popular paintball venues in the United States include Skirmish USA in Pennsylvania, Hollywood Sports Park in California, and CPX Sports in Illinois.
While a relative newcomer to the recreational sports scene, paintball has a well-established competitive community with numerous leagues and tournaments. Major organizations like the National Xball League (NXL) and the United Paintball Federation (UPBF) oversee competitive play, setting rules and organizing events that attract teams from around the world who compete for prestige and prizes.
While paintball is generally considered safe, injuries can occur, particularly in unorganized games where the proper protections may not be in place. The most common injuries are eye injuries, which account for a large portion of paintball-related hospital visits. To reduce risks, players are required to wear protective gear, including masks, and to adhere to strict safety protocols. Compared to other sports, injury rates for paintball are low when these protocols are followed.
Legal issues pertaining to paintball vary by region. In some jurisdictions, paintball markers are classified as weapons and subject to specific regulations. Legal issues often arise from negligence or defective equipment and are rarely an issue in organized games.
The paintball community is supported by several organizations that promote the sport, organize events, and set standards. The United Paintball Federation (UPBF) is the international governing body, while Major League Paintball (MLPB) focuses on professional and competitive play. These organizations work to grow the sport, enhance safety, and foster community among players.
Whether played casually with friends or competitively in tournaments, paintball has become a popular activity for teambuilding and social events.
Appropriate resources for this category relate to paintball, although retail sites should be listed in the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce category rather than here.
Recommended Resources
International Classic Paintball League
The ICPL is a premier league for classic paintball formats organized by the National Xball League (NXL). The ICPL features both 5v5 and 10v10 formats, incorporating various field types, such as woods, hyperball, mounds, and hybrid fields, the objective being to capture the opposing team's flag and return it to your base. Players can use mechanical or electronic markers, capped at 5.5 balls per second. It includes Professional and Amateur divisions, and hosts several events.
https://www.nxlclassicpaintball.com/
Major League of Paintball, The
MLPB is a professional sports organization that serves as the governing body for competitive paintball. It is responsible for setting and enforcing rules and regulations, as well as organizing and promoting paintball events globally. The MLPB aims to bring the sport of paintball together through sponsoring events, player-focused features, and a strong community. The MLPB hosts regular tournaments and top-level events, providing opportunities for competition.
https://www.majorleaguepb.com/
MLPB is a professional sports organization that governs competitive paintball, offering a variety of content and services, including live broadcasts and on-demand streaming of paintball events through MajorLeaguePaintball PLUS, exclusive content such as documentaries, podcasts, and highlights, upcoming events like the NXL Chicago Open and NXL World Cup, and community engagement through unique events and features. Fields may be found via the website, and viewers may subscribe.
https://www.majorleaguepaintball.com/
The online discussion forum, powered by an XenForo script, features European paintball. Topics include industry news, paintballer war stories, the UK Paintball Sports Federation, buying and selling advice, equipment for sale, the history of UK paintball, woodsball and airball events, major league tournaments, training and event sites, videos and photos, tech issues, sponsored teams, and site supporters. While anyone can read forum content, participation requires membership.
https://www.p8ntballer.com/
Paintball Leagues International
PBLI is a comprehensive platform for paintball tournament registration and management, offering an advanced, feature-rich software package for event promotion and supporting numerous leagues and events across different counties, making it a central hub for paintball enthusiasts. Participating leagues are highlighted on the website, and registered promoters can add teams and access the PBLI registration system. Information for leagues and contact instructions are provided.
http://www.paintball-players.org/
Created in 2000, PbNation is an online community dedicated to paintball enthusiasts. It offers information, rules, news, photographs, videos, and discussion forums about the sport, players, and gear involved in paintball. The site also features a marketplace for buying and selling paintball equipment, product reviews, and a directory of paintball fields and stores. Contacts and advertising opportunities are available, and links to other online resources are included.
https://www.pbnation.com/
The SPL is a prominent regional tournament paintball league in the Southeastern United States. Established in 2014, the SPL provides a national tournament experience at the regional level, covering states like Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. The league hosts several events throughout the year, such as the Sunshine Open and the Peach State Classic, both held at reputable paintball fields and facilities. Events schedules, season rankings, and its Champions' Club are defined on the site.
https://socialpaintballleague.com/
The UPBF is an international federation governing paintball. The organization consists of confederations representing all national paintball federations on their continents. Included are the African, Asian and Pacific, European, Middle Eastern, North Central American, and South American Paintball Federations. Its executive committee and commissions are identified, and its rulebook may be viewed online, and several photo galleries are included. An online contact form is available.
https://upbf.net/
The USPL is a player-owned league that currently consists of sixteen professional teams. The player-run organization governs paintball tournaments and play, setting rules, standards, and guidelines for safe, competitive, fair paintball competitions worldwide. Its site includes directions and schedules of events, registration, referees, sponsors, rankings, news, and contacts (including an online contact form), as well as discussion forums, photographs, and videos.
https://www.uspaintballleague.com/
World Classic Paintball League
The WCPL is a competitive paintball league that brings back the classic style of paintball. It features both amateur and professional series, with events held throughout the year. Emphasizing the traditional format of paintball, using mechanical guns and playing on fields reminiscent of the 1996 era, its events include the Southern California Classic, Panhandle Paintball Classic, the New York Classic, the UK Classic, the Northern California Classic, and the Saint Louis Classic.
https://www.playwcpl.com/
Sponsored by the National Xball League (NXL), the World Cup is the grand finale of the NXL season, attracting teams, players, and fans from all over the world. Participants compete in various divisions over four days of intense paintball action. The event also features a large trade show with the latest paintball gear, food vendors, and family activities. Information about live streaming of events, playing formats, rulebooks, and prize packages is provided.
https://www.nxlpaintball.com/
