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What Is Paintball and How Is It Played? A Complete Guide for Beginners and Advanced Players


What will you learn in this article?

Paintball is an adrenaline-packed team sport in which players compete to complete objectives and eliminate opponents with a paintball – a gelatin capsule filled with non-toxic paint. The paintball is fired from a marker (paintball gun) using compressed air or CO.

When safety rules are followed, paintball is a completely safe, fair and extremely fun activity for children and adults alike.

History of paintball

Paintball originated in the USA in 1981. A group of friends used markers originally designed for marking livestock or trees in forests and turned them into entertainment. The first official game took place in woodland terrain and immediately attracted huge interest.

What started as woodland shootouts gradually became an organised sport, now featuring professional tournaments, leagues and its own federation worldwide.

Paintball reached the Czech Republic in the early 1990s, roughly around 1992, and quickly gained popularity. Today it is played both recreationally and competitively – and it remains one of the most sought-after adrenaline activities.

We are among the pioneers of urban paintball in the Czech Republic. We offer five themed arenas, including the iconic Nuclear Town inspired by a Call of Duty map.

Paintball Prague Nuke Town NEw

Take a look at our arenas.

How does paintball work?

The basic principle of paintball is simple: two teams compete against each other to complete an objective – for example capturing a flag, eliminating the opposing team, or defending a base. Players use markers to fire paintballs which, on impact, leave a clear paint mark.

This sport combines strategy, physical activity and teamwork – which is exactly what makes it ideal fun for a group of friends, companies or families.

Paintball

A paintball is a small gelatin shell filled with coloured, biodegradable and non-toxic liquid.

When it hits the target, it bursts and leaves a visible paint mark. Paintballs are environmentally friendly and do not leave permanent stains on clothing.

Marker (paintball gun)

A marker operates using compressed air or CO, firing paintballs at a speed of around 90 metres per second.

Modern markers are safe, accurate and easy to control, even for beginners.

At our venue, we use proven markers Tippmann and Valken SW1 Blackhawk, which rank among the most reliable on the market.

Game principle

A player who is hit by a paintball and has paint on them is eliminated and leaves the arena (or waits until the next round).

The organiser monitors the rules and ensures the game runs fairly.

Is paintball safe?

Short answer: Yes, paintball is a safe sport when the basic rules are followed.

In fact, paintball results in fewer injuries than common sports such as football or cycling.

Basic safety rules:

  • Mask is mandatory for the entire time you are in play. It protects your eyes, face and ears.
  • Barrel cover (barrel condom) – a special protective cover or plug that prevents an accidental shot outside the playing area. It is always used outside the game zone and creates a double safety barrier together with the marker’s safety. This fabric sleeve is placed over the muzzle and secured with an elastic strap, so a shot cannot be fired by mistake.
  • No shooting at close range (usually under 5 metres).
  • Every hit must be acknowledged – the game is built on fair play.
  • Arenas are always supervised by experienced organisers.

A paintball hit usually only stings slightly – similar to a “rubber band snap”.

For children, we offer Junior Paintball using markers with a lower muzzle velocity.

Thanks to modern protective equipment, paintball is completely safe for children from age 10 and for adult players.

Safety first – read how we ensure player protection.

What do you need for paintball?

Another advantage of paintball? You don’t need to buy anything.

You will receive all equipment directly on site – clean, prepared and fully functional.

Basic equipment includes:

  • Protective mask – protects your eyes, face and ears.
  • Marker – a paintball gun powered by compressed air or CO.
  • Coveralls – camouflage or black, designed to protect your clothing.
  • Gloves – for safety and comfort when handling the marker, and to protect your fingers from painful hits.

If you like, you can also add extra equipment:

  • Protective vest,
  • Groin protector,
  • Extra neck protector.

What to bring with you:

  • Sportswear: a T-shirt, shorts or tracksuit bottoms (ideally as a layer under the coveralls).
  • Sturdy footwear for outdoor terrain – ideally sports shoes or hiking boots.
  • A change of clothes, spare shoes and a towel.

Everything is ready at our venue – you arrive, you play, and we take care of the rest.

See what’s included in our basic package.

How is paintball played?

Paintball can be played in many ways – from simple team shootouts to well-planned missions.

The game is always adapted to the scenarios you want to play, and everything can be arranged with the organiser on site. You can choose from several game scenarios, so everyone can pick what suits them best.

Basic rules:

  • A player must wear a mask for the entire game – without exception.
  • Being hit by a paintball means elimination (visible paint on the body or gear). Sometimes a paintball may not break, but you will always feel the hit, so it is also a matter of fair play.
  • Every player is required to acknowledge a hit – paintball is a game of fair play.
  • After being eliminated, the player raises a hand and leaves the arena to the safe zone.
  • Smooth gameplay is ensured by the organiser, who monitors the rules and signals the start and end of each round.

Most popular game scenarios:

  • Team Deathmatch – the classic team vs team shootout, ideal for beginners.
  • Capture the Flag – take the flag from the centre of the arena and bring it to your base, or capture the enemy flag and return it to your base.
  • VIP – the team protects a “VIP person” and must escort them to a designated location.
  • Zombies – one team defends a location against a zombie team and must hold it for a 5-minute time limit.
  • Last Man Standing – survive as the last player remaining.

With us, you can choose from five different arenas – each has a different atmosphere and style of play. Nuclear town, Military base, Vietnam arena, Sports arena and Archery Tag!

The best known is Nuclear Town, an urban arena with barricades and bus wrecks.

Want to experience it in real life?

Paintball for different groups

Paintball is a universal game – great for children, groups of friends, corporate teams and stag & hen parties. Thanks to how adaptable it is, the atmosphere and pace can be adjusted to suit the players’ age and experience.

Junior paintball

For children from 10 years old, we offer special Junior Paintball using markers with a lower muzzle velocity, with everything supervised by experienced organisers who focus on maximum safety and fun.

Before the game starts, children receive complete protective equipment and go through a safety briefing.

Find out more about junior paintball.

Corporate teambuilding

Paintball is an ideal way to strengthen team spirit, develop communication and share adrenaline outside the office.

Players must cooperate, think strategically and react in real time – much like dealing with challenges at work.

For corporate groups, we offer:

  • Paintball games with an organiser
  • Refreshments, BBQ or catering
  • The option to rent gazebos and facilities
  • Parking for company cars and coaches

On request, the programme can also be extended with additional activities or evening entertainment, such as a DJ, shisha, or extra sports and team games (bubble football, human table football, archery tag, spin ladder, beer pong, or table football).

Companies often combine paintball with an informal evening event right at the venue.

See what teambuilding with us can look like.

Stag & hen parties and celebrations

A stag party without paintball? That would be boring.

With us, you’ll experience the perfect combination of adrenaline, laughter and competitiveness.

The game can also be kept light-hearted – we can even add a “groom in a pink costume” if you want an extra dose of fun.

After the game, there’s time to sit together, relive the best moments, and enjoy the atmosphere with a BBQ or a drink in hand.

The programme can be extended with other add-on activities at the venue, or complemented with ultimate pranks designed specifically for the person being celebrated. One of the most popular is Kick Ass by Girl, which adds a bold and unforgettable moment to the whole party.

Plan your stag or hen party at Paintball-Prague.cz.

How much does paintball cost?

The price of paintball depends on the length of the game, the number of paintballs, and the package you choose.

The basic package starts from 549 CZK per person and includes complete equipment, a briefing and entry to the arenas.

The basic package typically includes:

  • full gear (mask, marker, gloves, coveralls)
  • an organiser for the entire duration of the game
  • a 2-hour game session

You can buy additional paintballs on site, depending on the pace of the game.

For larger groups or companies, we offer discounted packages.

The minimum number of players is usually 6 people, but if you are a smaller group, we can add you to another group.

Find out which package suits you best.

Paintball vs other activities

Paintball is often compared to airsoft or laser tag. Each of these activities has its charm – but if you want to see the result of a hit, feel the adrenaline and experience real terrain, paintball is the clear choice.

Paintball vs Airsoft

  • Ammunition: Paintball uses coloured paintballs that burst on impact, so you can clearly see who was hit.
  • Realism: Airsoft looks more realistic visually (the guns resemble real firearms), but hits are not visible – everything depends on honesty.
  • Pain level: A paintball hit stings slightly, but with proper gear it is manageable even for children.
  • Costs: Paintball is ideal for those who do not want to invest in their own equipment – everything is provided on site.
  • Experience: Paintball is more dynamic, faster and more colourful – perfect for action games, parties and corporate events.

Find out why paintball is the best choice for your event.