Team Games Stag Do

Some of the best stag do moments come from grown men doing something they last did in a school PE lesson. That’s the whole idea of a team games stag do. Dodgeball, daft football, inflatables and races, with a lot of falling over and not much dignity left by the end. A dodgeball stag do on its own makes a cracking afternoon, but most providers let you mix a few games into one session so nobody gets bored.

The appeal is simple. You split into teams, everyone gets competitive very quickly, and the stag spends most of the session as the target. You don’t need to be sporty. In fact it helps if you’re not.

Dodgeball. Two teams, a handful of soft balls and years of pent-up grudges. It’s fast, loud and very fair, in that everyone gets hit eventually. Make sure the stag is always first out.

Goggle football. A normal game of football, except everyone wears goggles that distort your vision, like beer goggles without the beer. Watching someone swing confidently at a ball that’s actually two feet to the left never gets old.

Human table football. You’re strapped to poles on an inflatable pitch and play as a living table football team. You can only shuffle side to side, so it’s a test of teamwork and patience in roughly equal measure.

Five-a-side. Just football. Good if the lads genuinely like a kickabout and want a proper game before the beers.

Bungee run. You’re clipped to a bungee cord and sprint down an inflatable lane to plant a marker as far along as you can before it yanks you backwards. Whoever reaches furthest wins. Everyone gets pinged back eventually.

Inflatable assault course. Race head to head through a bouncy obstacle course. It’s the closest you’ll get to being eight again.

Team games are about the most inclusive daytime activity you can book. Nobody needs any skill, the injuries are mostly to pride, and the lads who never play sport usually have the most fun. It gets a mixed group bonding fast, because nothing breaks the ice like hitting the groom’s brother with a dodgeball.

Sessions are normally run by an instructor or referee who keeps the games moving, so all you need to sort is who’s on which team. My advice is to keep the teams the same all session and keep a running score. By the end you’ll have a winning team, a losing team and a forfeit lined up for the losers.

• Sober first, pints later. Most providers won’t let anyone play after a few drinks, and bouncing off inflatables with a hangover is grim. Book it for the morning or early afternoon.
• Wear sports kit and trainers. You’ll be running, diving and falling over. Save the fancy dress for the evening, or put just the stag in costume. Our stag do costumes have plenty of options.
• Indoor or outdoor. Some games run indoors, some on outdoor pitches. Indoors is the safer bet with British weather.
• Mix and match. Many packages combine a few games in one session. Ask what’s included before you book.
• Numbers. Team games need teams, so they work best with a decent-sized group. Check the minimum numbers.

If the lads love this sort of chaos, have a look at bubble football and It’s a Knockout, which take the same idea and add even more inflatables. For a full weekend, play in the afternoon and finish with a pub crawl. Team games run in most cities, so pick somewhere with a good night out, like Newcastle.