Boxball. One box of paint.
A weekly paintball competition. Three a side, 30 minutes on the clock, 2,000 balls per team. Turn up, play your match, go home.
Short. Sharp. Every ball counts.
One match a week, all over in half an hour. Teams are small: up to 4 players plus a pit crew or coach, so it's easy to get a team together.
The clock
Every match runs a fixed 30 minutes. Play as many points as you can fit in.
Points
Win a point and it goes on the board. Then a 2 min reset: reload, regroup, go again.
The box
2,000 balls per team for the whole match, no top-ups. Spray early and you'll be counting balls at the end.
The win
When time's up, most points wins. Simple.
Like netball or touch, but with paint
Most competitive paintball means giving up a whole weekend: an early start, a long drive and a full day at the field. Boxball works like your local netball or touch rugby comp instead. Same night every week, one match against one team, then home.
- Turn up, play, go home: one 30-minute match a week
- A proper season: a fixture list, a ladder and a finals week
- Fits around real life: work, family and everything else still get your weekend
- Cheap to keep playing: one box of paint per match, so you know the cost every week
Every team plays every other team once, then the top teams meet in the finals. Only 6 team spots, and solo players will be placed in teams.
Put your team inCompetitive paintball without the paint bill
The biggest thing that stops people playing competitively is the cost of paint. Boxball caps it. Everyone gets the same box, so the team that thinks, talks and picks its shots comes out on top.
- Known cost: you know exactly how much paint you're using before you start
- Easy to field a team: 3 on the field, up to 4 players and a pit crew or coach
- Rewards skill: accuracy, movement and comms beat volume
- A stepping stone into full tournament speedball
The Handicap
We're trialling a handicap that keeps matches close. When a team gets too far ahead, it has to play the next point with fewer players.
How it works
| Leading by | Next point |
|---|---|
| 0–1 point | Normal 3v3 |
| 2 points | Leader plays next point 2v3 |
| 3+ points | Leader plays next point 1v3 |
So at 2–0 the leader plays the next point a player down. Each point the leader drops gets them a player back. Once the lead is under 2 again, it's back to 3v3.
Ideas we're kicking around
- Power play: if the trailing team scores 2 points in a row while the leader is short-handed, they earn a 3v2 round
- Sudden death if the scores are tied when time runs out
Try it
Score some points and watch the line-ups change.
All square. Full 3v3.
Closer games
No more 6–0 blowouts. Both teams stay in it to the final horn.
Comebacks are real
Dominate and you'll have to prove it shorthanded. Fall behind and you've got a numbers advantage to claw back with.
Great to watch
A lone player winning a 1v3 point is the highlight of the night.
Boxball FAQ
I don't have a team. Can I still play?
Yes. Register solo and we'll put you in a team with other solo players. It's a great way to meet people to play with.
How many in a team?
Three on the field each point, with up to 4 players in the team so you can rotate. You can also have a pit crew or coach, and your 4th player can do that job too. That's a maximum of 5 people per team. The whole team shares one box of 2,000 balls per match.
How does the season work?
The pilot season is 6 teams over 6 weeks: 5 rounds where every team plays one match a week, then finals in week 6. Same night each week, one match, then you're done.
What does it cost?
We're still finalising entry details. Registering interest is free and doesn't commit you to anything. Because the paint is capped, you'll know your costs before you turn up.
What gear do I need?
The usual: a marker, a mask and something to carry paint in. No gear? Choose "Need hire gear" in the form so we know.
Can under-18s play?
Yes, from age 12. A parent or guardian will need to sign off.
Is the handicap definitely happening?
Not decided yet. We're trialling it, and the rules will be confirmed before the season starts.
Where and when is it played?
Club field (TBC), Christchurch, Canterbury. The night and start date are still being confirmed. They'll go on the events calendar, and everyone who's registered gets an email.
Three players. One box. One night a week.
6 team spots in the pilot season. Get your team on the list, or come solo and we'll put you in one.