University Games has helped demonstrate the enduring appeal of iconic tabletop football game Subbuteo, supporting a unique workplace wellbeing initiative organised by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).
During the FIFA World Cup, colleagues at IOSH – the world's largest membership body for health and safety professionals, based in Leicester – staged their own World Cup tournament using Subbuteo, bringing together employees from across the organisation for a day of friendly competition, teamwork and fun.
Organised entirely by colleagues, the tournament saw 16 matches taking place simultaneously during the opening stages before progressing through the knockout rounds to a closely contested final. For many participants it was their first experience of playing Subbuteo, with the event providing an opportunity for employees from different departments to meet, collaborate and enjoy some light-hearted competition.
University Games, the UK distributor of Subbuteo, supported the initiative by providing tournament sets and prizes, including the Official England Main Game and Premium Rubber Pitch for the winning competitors.
Gemma Lewington, Marketing Director at University Games, commented "We were delighted to support the IOSH team by providing Subbuteo sets and prizes for what proved to be a fantastic workplace tournament. It is wonderful to see the iconic game helping to create a real sense of camaraderie and team spirit while bringing colleagues together away from their desks.
"Subbuteo continues to enjoy a passionate fanbase, with leagues and clubs thriving across the UK, but it's equally exciting to see the game finding new audiences in the workplace. Tabletop games have a unique ability to encourage social interaction, friendly competition and wellbeing, making them ideal for employee engagement initiatives as well as for fun family games nights."
The impact of the tournament extended well beyond the final whistle. Following the event, a complete Subbuteo set has remained in the IOSH office for colleagues to enjoy during lunch breaks and downtime, ensuring the spirit of the competition continues throughout the year.
Greg Ward for the IOSH said, "What the event created was a fantastic wellbeing experience. Alongside the tournament, we held a full awards ceremony where the prizes, along with many of the pitches and teams, were presented to participants, as well as the World Cup trophy.
"There is now a permanent Subbuteo set-up in our office for colleagues to enjoy during lunch and break times. The event brought together teams from right across the organisation, and the fantastic support and generosity from University Games made it a universal success. The overall impact on colleague engagement and wellbeing was outstanding."
The initiative highlights the growing role that classic tabletop games can play beyond the home, supporting employee wellbeing, encouraging face-to-face interaction and fostering stronger workplace communities. As retailers continue to see strong nostalgia-driven demand alongside interest from new players discovering the game for the first time, Subbuteo remains a timeless brand with broad cross-generational appeal.
