It seems like we’re all working harder than ever nowadays, and taking a break from the day to day routine is just what we need. This time, a couple of hours playing video games isn’t going to cut it. If we work hard, we need to play harder! The only way to do that is by bringing the action to life in the great outdoors, swapping the laptop, the notebooks and the console for a boots on the ground arena, a semiautomatic weapon, and a lot of paint! Paintball is the ultimate in immersive, exciting team combat sports, and you’re in luck if you live in Greater Manchester because there are numerous top tier centres in the area where you can let loose your passion for action.

Paintball is your opportunity to put your primal and tactical instincts to the test. You have to fight as if your life depends on it in order to avoid your enemies’ assaults, and out manoeuvre them to emerge victorious and paint-free. The arenas in Manchester do everything in their power to make this as rewarding an experience as possible, with high concept game zones, top quality equipment, and marshals who take the job seriously. Best of all, they’re passionate about this sport and want everyone who visits them to spread the good word, and come back again yourself, so you’re guaranteed a great value for money experience. We all know deep down that we couldn’t swap our jobs, commutes and responsibilities to live in the woods forever, but getting out there every once in a while is the release that we all need!

Where are the best fields to go paintballing in Greater Manchester?

• Bolton: It can feel at times that Greater Manchester is just one endless urban sprawl, but if you know where to look, you’ll find some secluded areas. Tucked in a meander of the River Irwell between Manchester and Bolton is an unspoilt zone of farmland and woodland. It’s here that you’ll find one of the best paintball centres in the area. There are cabins to shelter in, towers to shoot from and every kind of natural obstacle to contend with on this site that favours tactical snipers as it does fearless raiders. Three separate game zones keep things interesting, as each one will require a different strategy whether you’re stalking your opponents in Speedball, defending the Bunker, or battling to become the King of the Hill.

• Eccles: The paintball site outside Eccles has game zones fit for the set of a Hollywood movie. For history buffs there’s the Berlin Wall, fans of westerns can bust through saloon doors and into mining tunnels to search for gold, and just about everyone has fantasised about shooting the undead at some point - so the zombie apocalypse scenario is a real crowd pleaser. With a friendly but professional team, modern and well maintained equipment, and special mini paintball for youngsters, you’re sure to leave the Eccles site with a smile on your face, and an improved strategy in your head, ready for your next visit!

• Oldham: This region is such a cool place to live, but if there’s one thing that can put a damper on things, literally, it’s the rain. While you can go under grey skies, and even a bit of drizzle doesn’t have to stop the fun, sometimes it’s nice to know that the weather isn’t going to cause you problems. That’s the key advantage of the paintball centre in Oldham - it’s under cover. But don’t go expecting a cramped indoor space, this is a huge indoor arena with multiple game zones to explore. What’s more, the changing rooms, toilets, lockers rooms and the guns are all free from mud! There’s nothing to distract you from having a blast here, so get ready for a wild one.

Options for organising an experience

This is no wham, bam, thank you mam - when you organise a paintballing session in Manchester you can expect a long, immersive and varied experience. The most common choice is a full day session, which will include several games in different zones and with different rules. That means that every game is a new experience and there’s no danger of getting bored. In the calms between the storms, you can relax, reload, swap stories of the previous game and make your plan of action for the coming battle. Half day sessions are also available, or tailor made experiences at the time that suits you and your group.

What will you receive when you arrive to the field?

When you arrive at your destination, you’ll get a gun, some ammunition, a face mask and a set of camo overalls to wear over your clothes as standard. There are many different ways to enhance and customise your experience. Of course you can buy more paintballs if you prefer a more rapid fire approach, but you can also get special pieces of kit like smoke grenades, riot shields, or advanced goggles to become a force to fear on the battlefield.

Requirements to do this activity

A desire for action doesn’t have an age limit so it’s a good thing that youngsters can get involved with it. Although it’s a safe sport, getting hit by a ball of paint can sting and even leave a bruise, so to participate in a game where full size kit is used, children need to be at least 10 years old. But in Greater Manchester you can find specially designed combat for even younger kids. From 7 years old, they can play mini paintball, experiencing all the thrills of the game but with less powerful guns and lower velocity projectiles. Equipped with overalls and goggles, there’s no risk of them getting hurt from an impact.

This sport is an absolute classic activity for stag dos, but it’s becoming more and more popular for hen parties too. And even big businesses are getting involved, treating their teams to a game as a reward for hard work, or to build stronger connections between coworkers. If your group is large enough, you can have an exclusive arena for you and your group, to maximise the fun.

If you need to let loose, we know how to help you - just make a booking and see how we make it happen.