How to Start a Paintball Field

Part 1 - How to start a Paintball Field business - Background

A paintball field or arena provides the local community with a fun way to get physical exercise, relieve stress, and learn teamwork while engaging in a little friendly competition. This type of business provides the environment, equipment, training and guidance for customers to safely participate in paintball competitions and tournaments.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Paintball Arena business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a paintball field?

Experts estimate that the cost of opening a paintball arena business is approximately $50,000. Depending on the type of arena you want to open, the cost for a business operating license, additional permits, and liability insurance can range from $3,500 to $5,000 dollars, depending on local laws. The design and preparation of field surfaces can cost up to $10, 000. Since the average amount of space required for an outdoor arena is 10,000 feet, monthly rent payments can average approximately $6,000, depending on local real estate market prices.

Each entry-level semi-automatic or electro-mechanical paintball gun and the necessary equipment to use it costs between $70-$100. Professional-level guns can cost as much as $2000. They also require compressed air tanks, rather than CO2, which range from $50 to $200 dollars and are more expensive to test and maintain. Inexpensive paint begins at approximately $30 for a case of 2000 rounds or $10 for a box of 500. Higher grade professional tournament paint can cost as much as $80 for a case of 2000. Masks average $20 apiece, and CO2 tanks average $12 each, with refills costing between $3 and $6 dollars, depending on the size of the tank. You’ll also need some legal advice for creating waivers, disclaimers and brochures.

What are the ongoing expenses for a paintball field?

• Space rental fees

• Paint, CO2 tanks, and refills

• Safety equipment replacement costs for required masks, vests, and helmets

• Equipment cleaning and maintenance

• Employee salaries

• Electricity for lighting and temperature control

Who is the target market?

Paintball appeals to individuals with disposable income and leisure time, and who are not limited by a medical conditions which could be exacerbated by the emotional excitement and physical exertion of a paintball competition.

How does a paintball field make money?

Paintball arenas generate revenue by charging participants entrance and equipment rental fees. Some paintball arena business owners also make money by arranging local, state, and national tournaments and charging participants an entry fee. Some owners also rent out equipment for use off-site.

How much can you charge customers?

The prices charged for entry fees and participation range from $10 to $60 dollars per participant, depending on the quality of the equipment and the complexity of the field or arena. Some owners sell season passes or offer memberships at reduced rates to encourage regular attendance.

How much profit can a paintball field make?

With a good business plan, paintball business owners earn an average of between $20,000 and $30,000 per year. That amount increases in direct proportion to the amount of community participation in your business and the number of arenas you operate.

How can you make your business more profitable?

One of the ways you can make your business more profitable is by saving money by offering your experienced customers play in exchange for employee services, such as providing orientations for new players. Other money-saving strategies include purchasing, rather than renting, CO2 tanks, refilling your own paintball tanks onsite. Some owners limit venue hours to nights and weekends to reduce operating costs.

Renting out paintball equipment to those who want to play, but aren’t able to schedule a full session at your facility generates additional income. So does selling memorabilia such as hats and t-shirts. Training and sponsoring teams that qualify for national championships can generate enough community enthusiasm to bring in new customers as well as extra income from entry fees. Varying reservation rates to reflect peak and off-peak periods and differences in playing venues can also make a positive economic impact on your business.

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a paintball field?

Some of the day to day activities may include:

• Purchasing/Setting up equipment and supplies

• Collecting rental fees

• Designing games and competitions

• Advertising and promotional activities

• Accounting and payroll

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful paintball field?

• Physical dexterity for demonstrating the use of equipment and leading teams participating in tournaments

• Knowledge of the rules of paintball and the equipment required, which consists of standardized helmets, vests and regulation pads for each participant

• Teaching ability to provide proper orientation for new players before they enter the arena

• First Aid and Safety Training (Contact your local Red Cross for information on classes)

• Spatial reasoning and architectural design skills for utilizing space in creating interesting and challenging field conditions.

What is the growth potential for a paintball field?

The growth potential of this business often depends on creating and maintaining more than one field or indoor arena to provide varying degrees of difficulty. Some paintball arena businesses have grown large enough to offer franchise opportunities.

How and when to build a team

Having a team in place before opening your business is important, since customers must be taught the rules in order to become skilled enough players to enter competitions and tournaments. Paintball players make the best paintball arena employees.

Part 2 - Is a Paintball Field business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Paintball Field business in 90 days