Picture a laser tag arena; what do you see? We see a vast space filled with walls to hide behind, ramps to run up, levels to climb, plenty of neon colored lights, and maybe even a bit of smoke.
When you play laser tag, especially when it’s with many people, space is essential. Everyone needs to have room to run around without bumping into each other.
So with that in mind, how big does a laser tag arena have to be? Just how much does size matter?
Keep reading to find out!
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How big is a laser tag arena?
In the United States, an average indoor laser tag arena is around 3,000-5,000 square feet. That will accommodate 10 to 30+ players at a time.
Ideally, each player should be given 162 square feet of playing space. This number includes a briefing space, vesting quarters, and the arena itself.
That should be enough for them to feel like they are hunting down opponents in alien territory. The more square footage you take away, the more cramped things can start to get.
Most arenas are probably on the higher end of the square footage though, since it wouldn’t be profitable to only let 12 players in at a time.
It’s also important to keep in mind that many laser tag arenas will promote a size that includes their briefing and vesting section. So, don’t be surprised if an arena seems slightly smaller than what was advertised.
Playing Outdoors
You don’t need that much more space if you’re playing outdoors. About 3,250 square feet of playing space is recommended for 20 players to have a comfortable time. When planning an outdoor laser tag game, one thing to consider is the type of nature you’ll be competing in.
Nature has trees, bushes, and lots of other plants that can crowd the terrain. The more obstacles the space has, the bigger it will need to be.
For example, if you’re playing laser tag on a manicured lawn, you only need the recommended square footage. However, if your game is set in a forest, you might want to set the boundaries a little wider.
Although we’re sure players wish they could, people can’t hide in trees or bushes. For every piece of nature there is, each player needs an extra square foot. Don’t worry, you don’t need to go around counting each thistle and oak; just consider the terrain when planning.
What is the world’s largest laser tag arena?
Lots of laser tag arenas will promote themselves as the largest one. However, according to our research, the biggest laser tag arena is Laser Tag Explosion in East Dundee, Illinois. It spans a colossal 40,000 feet which is EIGHT times larger than the recommended average square footage!
So what makes Laser Tag Explosion so massive? Well, to start, it’s made up of three levels, so it isn’t just wide, it’s also quite tall.
This means that players can stalk opponents from above, or even claim an entire level for their team if they’re feeling tactical!
The arena is modeled off of a “top secret government facility”, which makes the fact it’s so giant even cooler! From a real jeep and police car, to shipping containers, and giant barrels, players will feel like they’ve broken into a classified government warehouse.
Laser Tag Explosion can fit a giant number of players in at once, which means you’ll be on your toes ducking and tagging the entire time. You could talk tactics over with teammates in their buildings, race to the tops of levels, and enjoy being turned into a top-secret agent!
The arena hosts birthday parties, bachelorette parties, corporate events, and even school groups. If you have a chance to go to Laser Tag Explosion you should take it!
Is Bigger Always Better?
Now that we’ve talked about the biggest laser tag arena, we have to consider if size is always a determinant for ‘good’ when it comes to laser tag. We know the cons of playing in a small arena, but can an arena also be too big?
The short answer is yes.
Think of it this way; if there aren’t enough players to fill a space, everyone is either going to end up playing in a tiny corner together, or people are going to be so spaced out that not much tagging is going to happen.
We don’t doubt that a group of five friends would have a blast at Laser Tag Explosion if they were given the entire arena to play in, but would they make good use of the space? Imagine having to walk 20 feet just to find an opponent to shoot. Think about how much time is going to be wasted just looking for people!
On the other hand, giant laser tag arenas can be filled with giant props, making the playing experience other-wordly. So we supposed the question isn’t just how big the arena is, but what they’ve filled it with.
With that in mind, let’s have a look at other factors besides square footage to consider when looking for an awesome laser tag arena to spend a weekend afternoon.
Other Factors to Consider
Obstacles
Like we mentioned, it’s not about how big the space is, it’s also about what’s in it. Is there a theme? What do the obstacles look like?
Some laser tag establishments will go all out and bring in real-life props to set the mood. Others will just put up simple walls and maybe decorate with some glow-in-the-dark murals.
Ideally, you want obstacles you can interact with. Can you jump over it? Duck under it? Even blend into it? All of these interactions make the game that much more exciting and will keep everyone on high alert.
We love themed obstacles because it gives the arena a chance to get creative with their props. Have a look around at laser tag arenas, you might be surprised just how far some of them go to transport their players.
Lighting
Lighting is key when playing laser tag. No one wants to play in a brightly lit room with absolutely no ambiance.
Typically, laser tag arenas will use colored or strobe lights to set the scene. Neon is very popular, and for a good reason; it is very exciting to run around in a room speckled with brightly colored dots and beams!
Although technically not lighting, smoke is also a fun addition to an arena. In our opinion, a smaller arena with great lighting is a lot more fun than a giant one that just uses bright overhead lights.
Blacklight is also used by lots of venues to add ambiance. While we love the look of it, arenas with blacklight can be quite dark — so make sure all of your players have good eyesight or are wearing their glasses!
Age
Age is important to consider when deciding on the size and type of arena to play at. Young children will probably enjoy playing outdoors and in a slightly small space than older children or adults.
While playing in a giant laser tag arena is obviously fun, it could get overwhelming for a young child. They might get lost, or get worried about being tagged and losing since they won’t be able to see all of their opponents. These anxieties are perfectly valid, and need to be considered.
Older players might also prefer a small arena that is well lit. This way, they won’t have any visual impairment issues and won’t have to run (or walk) around much.
We always recommend grouping similar ages together when playing so that everyone is on the same page regarding their emotional maturity and physical abilities.
Time
Not all laser tag establishments have the same time limits for rounds. The average time for a game is anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.
You will want a longer game time in a bigger arena, that way you can explore and play the whole venue. However, just like size, longer isn’t always better.
Players who struggle running around for longer periods of time, or children with short attention spans might benefit from shorter rounds. That way, they feel like they played to completion without their age or physical disadvantages getting in the way.
We think ten minutes is the sweet spot for playing. After all, time does move quicker in a laser tag arena!
Happy Tagging!
We love the idea of giant laser tag arenas, but that’s not always what’s best for a group. What kind of laser tag player do you think you are?
Are you someone who loves a giant arena filled with obstacles? Or do you prefer something a little simpler where you can focus on honing your tagging skills?
Have you ever been to Laser Tag Explosion? What did you think?
We’d love to hear from you!
Have fun and happy tagging!