WhirlyBall
WhirlyBall is a privately held family-owned operator of five Midwest entertainment megaplexes offering its signature bumper-car sport alongside LaserTag, bowling, and in-house dining for consumer groups, corporate events, and private celebrations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What WhirlyBall does
WhirlyBall is a privately held, family-owned multi-location entertainment company founded in 1993 by Sam Elias in Lombard, Illinois, and currently led by his son Adam Elias (CEO since September 2020). The company operates five owned-and-operated entertainment megaplexes across the Midwest — Chicago, Vernon Hills, and Naperville in Illinois; Brookfield, Wisconsin; and Colorado Springs, Colorado — each combining the signature WhirlyBall sport (a proprietary mechanized bumper-car game combining lacrosse, basketball, and hockey) with LaserTag, bowling, pop-up games (ping pong, Giant Jenga, cornhole, billiards), and the in-house Pivot Room restaurant and craft beer bar.
The company's core technology is the proprietary WhirlyBug vehicle, a modified bumper car with a controlled 4 mph maximum speed and an integrated scoop for picking up and launching Wiffle balls into hanging basket-style goals. Each location typically features multiple WhirlyBall courts, bowling lanes (with HyperBowling video-game-style scoring at newer sites), and multi-level laser tag arenas. Newer locations span over 45,000 square feet of entertainment infrastructure. Online reservations are handled through ReserveWithRex and event inquiries through TripleSeat, with gift card distribution via QuickGifts and balance management through ToastTab.
WhirlyBall generates revenue primarily through three streams: activity rentals (e.g., $250/hour court rental for up to 10 players), food and beverage sales through the Pivot Room (24-32+ craft beer taps per location), and private event bookings (corporate events, birthdays, weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, proms, fundraisers). Customer segments span general entertainment consumers, private event celebrations (groups of 2 to 1,000+), corporate events and team building, and non-profit fundraising programs (WhirlyGives returns 20% of purchases to 501(c)(3) organizations). Pricing is unit-based for activities with custom event packages requiring a 40% non-refundable deposit. The company has no disclosed institutional investment, no franchising model, and no publicly reported revenue.
WhirlyBall firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WhirlyBall
- Legal name
- WhirlyBall
- Website
- https://whirlyball.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- WhirlyBall is a privately held family-owned operator of five Midwest entertainment megaplexes offering its signature bumper-car sport alongside LaserTag, bowling, and in-house dining for consumer groups, corporate events, and private celebrations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where WhirlyBall is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
WhirlyBall business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Activity Rentals: Revenue from renting courts for WhirlyBall games, bowling lanes, and LaserTag sessions. Charged per time increment (typically 30-minute blocks or hourly rates). Includes private event space rentals for groups.
- Food and Beverage (Pivot Room): Restaurant and bar sales including chef-driven American cuisine, craft beer (24-32+ taps), cocktails, and event catering. Major revenue stream from both walk-in diners and event attendees.
- Gift Cards: Prepaid gift cards redeemable for activities, food and beverages, or space rentals. Sold through website with balances checkable on ToastTab platform.
- Fundraising Programs: WhirlyGives program gives 20% of food/beverage/activity purchases back to 501(c)(3) organizations. Karma Tuesday provides court rental for fundraising ticket sales.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | WhirlyBall Court Rental: $250 per hour for up to 10 players |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Court rental at Naperville: $250 per hour |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Bowling Lane: Per lane pricing (location-specific) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | LaserTag: Per session pricing |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Private Event Package: Custom pricing based on group size and requirements |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
WhirlyBall product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WhirlyBall operates multi-activity entertainment megaplexes built around its signature mechanized bumper-car sport (WhirlyBug vehicles capped at 4 mph, custom scoops and Wiffle balls scored into 10-foot hanging goals). Each venue bundles the core WhirlyBall game with laser tag, bowling (including HyperBowling at select locations), pop-up games, private event spaces, and an in-house chef-driven restaurant and craft beer bar (Pivot Room), sold as pay-as-you-go activity rentals, food and beverage, and packaged private events.
Product overview
WhirlyBall operates as a multi-location entertainment venue offering a portfolio of activities centered around its signature WhirlyBall sport (a unique mechanized bumper-car sport combining lacrosse, basketball, and hockey), supplemented by LaserTag, traditional bowling with HyperBowling, and casual pop-up games (Ping Pong, Giant Jenga, Cornhole, billiards). Each location features the Pivot Room Restaurant & Bar as an in-house dining and craft beer venue. The business is structured around three pillars: recreational play (individual/group bookings), private event hosting (corporate events, weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, proms, reunions, birthdays, fundraisers), and a food-and-beverage program. Promotional offerings include Neon Nights, the WhirlyGives and Karma Tuesday's fundraising programs, birthday party packages, and a Summer Play Pass membership. The company operates five locations across the Midwest (Chicago, Vernon Hills, Naperville in Illinois; Brookfield, Wisconsin; and Colorado Springs, Colorado), having grown from a single Lombard, Illinois location opened in 1993 to multi-story entertainment megaplexes.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Pivot Room: The in-house restaurant and bar at WhirlyBall locations featuring a chef-driven menu, craft cocktails, and rotating craft beer selection.
- WhirlyGives
Products and services
- WhirlyBall (signature bumper-car sport) The signature WhirlyBall sport combining lacrosse, basketball, hockey, and bumper cars. Players operate souped-up bumper cars (WhirlyBugs) at a maximum speed of 4 mph and use a custom scoop to pick up and throw a Wiffle ball into a hanging target goal 10 feet off the floor, with games lasting 10 minutes per session.
- LaserTag
Quantifiable outcome
- Group size accommodation: 2 to 1,000+ people per event
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use WhirlyBall
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
WhirlyBall technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
WhirlyBall partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- Go BrewingminorGo Brewing partnered with WhirlyBall Naperville for the 'Beat the Brewer Dry January' event featuring non-alcoholic craft beer tastings. Featured on WGN's Around Town segment.
- Inside Out Youth Services (IOYS)minorWhirlyBall Colorado Springs partnered with Inside Out Youth Services for the 'Media Brawl at WhirlyBall' charity competition. FOX21 defeated X1039 radio station in the WhirlyBall competition, with all proceeds (approximately $2,500) supporting IOYS and its mission to support LGBTQIA2+ youth in Colorado Springs. Event was coordinated in response to the Club Q tragedy.
- Bucket Listers ExperiencesminorWhirlyBall was featured on ABC7 Chicago as part of Bucket Listers Experiences' recommendations for best rooftops and patios around Chicago. Named 'Best Rooftop Surprise and Delight' in their Top Spot List.
- Go BrewingminorFeatured in WGN segment at WhirlyBall Naperville's Beat the Brewer Dry January event showcasing non-alcoholic craft beer options.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
WhirlyBall competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Topgolf: Topgolf operates tech-enabled entertainment venues combining games, dining, and events. While its core offering is golf-based rather than bumper-car-based, the value proposition—group entertainment with food, beverages, and private event hosting at large-format venues—is structurally identical to WhirlyBall.
- Main Event Entertainment: Main Event operates family entertainment centers featuring bowling, laser tag, billiards, and food/beverage service in large-format venues. It is the most direct scaled peer to WhirlyBall's multi-activity, event-driven model.
- Bowlero: Bowlero (formerly Lucky Strike) operates upscale bowling and entertainment centers with full bars, dining, and event hosting. It overlaps with WhirlyBall's bowling + Hyperbowling + private event positioning.
- Andretti Indoor Karting & Games: Andretti operates large-format indoor entertainment venues combining go-karting, laser tag, bowling, arcade games, and dining. It targets the same group entertainment and corporate event market as WhirlyBall.
- Pinstripes: Pinstripes combines bowling, bocce, Italian-American dining, and private events in upscale indoor-outdoor venues. It directly competes for WhirlyBall's wedding, corporate, and milestone event business.
- Punch Bowl Social: Punch Bowl Social operates dining and entertainment venues featuring bowling, karaoke, ping pong, and private events. It targets a similar demographic and occasion mix as WhirlyBall's general entertainment and event customers.
- Scene75 Entertainment: Scene75 operates large indoor entertainment centers combining go-karts, laser tag, bowling, mini golf, and dining. It mirrors WhirlyBall's megaplex format and Midwest US market focus.
Broad incumbents
- Dave & Buster's: Dave & Buster's is the largest publicly traded operator of entertainment and dining venues, offering games, bowling, laser tag, and full restaurants. It competes for the same group entertainment and corporate event dollars as WhirlyBall but at national scale with a much larger footprint.
Emerging players
- K1 Speed: K1 Speed operates indoor karting and entertainment centers with food and event hosting. It overlaps with WhirlyBall's group entertainment and corporate event value proposition but focuses on karting rather than multi-sport offerings.
- Urban Air Adventure Park: Urban Air is a franchise-based indoor adventure park chain featuring trampolines, climbing, go-karts, and party hosting. It competes for WhirlyBall's family birthday party and youth entertainment market with a primarily franchise growth model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
WhirlyBall social profiles
Digital presenceWhirlyBall financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WhirlyBall leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
WhirlyBall funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WhirlyBall M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WhirlyBall
What does WhirlyBall do?
WhirlyBall operates multi-activity entertainment megaplexes built around its signature mechanized bumper-car sport (WhirlyBug vehicles capped at 4 mph, custom scoops and Wiffle balls scored into 10-foot hanging goals). Each venue bundles the core WhirlyBall game with laser tag, bowling (including HyperBowling at select locations), pop-up games, private event spaces, and an in-house chef-driven restaurant and craft beer bar (Pivot Room), sold as pay-as-you-go activity rentals, food and beverage, and packaged private events.
Is WhirlyBall a public or private company?
WhirlyBall is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was WhirlyBall founded?
WhirlyBall was founded in 1993. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is WhirlyBall based?
WhirlyBall is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does WhirlyBall make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Activity Rentals are the primary driver. The others are food and Beverage (Pivot Room), gift Cards and fundraising Programs.
Who are WhirlyBall's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Topgolf, Main Event Entertainment, Bowlero, Andretti Indoor Karting & Games, Pinstripes, Punch Bowl Social and Scene75 Entertainment. Dave & Buster's is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are K1 Speed and Urban Air Adventure Park.
Does WhirlyBall have an API?
No public API is recorded for WhirlyBall.