Floorball first emerged in the 1970s in Sweden as an indoor
alternative to field hockey. It quickly spread through the Nordic
countries of Europe in the following decades. Today, floorball is
played competitively with major leagues and international tournaments
around the world.
A standard floorball team consists of twenty players, with
five field players and a goalkeeper competing at any one time. The
players use a lightweight composite stick to pass, dribble, and shoot
a plastic ball into the opposing goal. Matches are played indoors on a
40m x 20m court surrounded by a rink. Floorball is praised for its
fast tempo and non-stop action. The game flows back and forth rapidly
down the court as teams attack and defend. Players require good
stamina, agility, and stickhandling skills. Goalkeepers also play a
key role guarding the larger goals. Matches are exciting to watch and
fun for spectators.
In addition to competitive play, floorball is also enjoyed
recreationally by people of all ages and abilities. The sport
continues to grow internationally with efforts to gain Olympic
recognition. Pickup games only require an indoor gym space, sticks,
and balls to get started.
Floorball provides an energetic cardio workout along with the
thrill of team competition. If you enjoy sports like hockey, soccer,
or lacrosse, then you will certainly appreciate the speed and skill of
floorball!
Floorball has exploded in popularity over the last decade.
According to the International Floorball Federation, global licensed
player numbers have grown over 50% since 2010 to top over 360,000.
Major hotspots include Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Latvia, and
Switzerland where participation rates top over 1% of the
population.
The sport continues to develop at elite levels. At the 2021
Men's World Floorball Championships in Helsinki, over 75,000 tickets
were sold as Finland defeated Sweden in a dramatic overtime final. The
fast-paced matches were broadcast to millions of viewers around the
world on TV and online.
While traditionally dominated by European countries, floorball
is quickly expanding to new regions. Brazil launched its national
floorball federation in 2021 and hosted the first ever South American
Floorball Championships. In Asia, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea
have emerged as new forces in the sport.
Advances in floorball stick technology have also shaped the
game’s evolution. Curve and hook designs on modern composite sticks
allow players to shoot with more power and accuracy. Stick
manufacturers like Fatpipe and Zone devote massive R&D to drive
innovation.
With increased Olympic interest, youth participation, and global
growth, floorball’s future is brighter than ever. Easy to pick up and
fast-paced fun for all ages, floorball offers an appealing gateway
into the world of team sports.