- First Ballerz air dome being built at leading shopping and leisure destination Bluewater
- Chance to win Football Coaching Session with Rio Ferdinand
Construction is underway on a unique new football-based entertainment concept that will mix competitive socialising with professional, lifestyle and fitness training. Launched by Rio Ferdinand, Bobby Zamora, Roberto Carlos and Mark Noble, the first Ballerz air dome will open at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent in spring 2024.
Ballerz will have the UK’s most immersive competitive socialising offering as guests enter the Skills Zone, a collection of games designed to test football skills all linked up with market-leader technology METRIX to provide players with stats and rankings.
Players can immerse themselves in the ultimate football haven at this cutting-edge, all-day entertainment venue which features a state-of-the-art, 7-a-side 5G football pitch complete with Premier League-style changing rooms, stadium-style seating and even a players’ tunnel.
Enhanced with audio features, captivating FX lighting, and the ability to show instant replays pitch-side – which can be shared on social media post-match – every moment on the Ballerz pitch will feel like a Champions League night under the dazzling lights.
From elite training sessions, thrilling skills challenges, and top-tier coaching to live sports events and matches, there will be something for everyone.
Guests will be able to test themselves and challenge their friends in the ‘skills and drillz zone’ which is powered with cutting-edge tech and gameplay provided by METRIX. Ballerz will also have its own ‘Robokeeper’ for players to test their shooting skills against.
The experience does not end on the pitch and the all-weather dome will also include a dynamic gaming lounge, spacious briefing rooms, versatile event areas, retail outlet, dining options, and a premier sports bar.
The venue is designed to attract not just football teams looking to train and play matches, but a broad range of audiences including local community groups, children’s birthday parties, family days out, school trips, football camps, corporate events as well as post-work hangouts in a unique location to watch live sport.
The announcement of Bluewater as the launch location for the Ballerz concept builds on efforts to bring a mix of new experiences to Bluewater which has seen adventure park Hangloose launch the UK’s longest zipwire, Europe’s biggest swing as well as the UK’s only outdoor Skydive. The centre is also home to Gravity Trampoline Park and Gravity Rocks, a 17-screen Showcase Cinema de Lux, Pirate Cove Adventure Park and Dinotropolis soft play centre.
Ballerz which is designed by top former professional football players and coaches, has an operational team that includes hospitality and property experts such as Nick Weir, managing partner of property agent Shelley Sandzer, ex-Groucho Club MD Matt Hobbs and ex-Chelsea FC Development Coach Sam Hubert.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Ballerz air dome, Rio Ferdinand, said: “Football is more than just a sport, it’s entertainment, it’s exercise, it’s community. At Ballerz we bring this all together for existing fans to enjoy and inspire a whole new generation of future fans.”
Roberto Carlos added: “Ballerz has the most innovative tech that is available. It’s amazing that you can hire a pitch, watch back your goals and retrieve all of your data. We’re creating something that has never been done before.”
James Waugh, Centre Director at Bluewater, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ballerz to Bluewater as their global launch location. This is an incredibly exciting concept designed by former pros and we believe this will be a very popular destination here.
“In recent years, we have been enhancing the leisure offer at Bluewater so that guests can experience something new and exciting every time they visit.”
Construction is already underway and the Ballerz air dome will be located on the Upper Thames Walk car park, close to the entrance for Showcase Cinema de Lux and Gravity Trampoline Park – the venue will open in spring next year.
Competition: Ballerz is giving away a football Coaching Session with Rio Ferdinand, to be in with a chance of winning, sign up at https://ballerz.co.uk Ballerz is on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ballerz_official