Hungerball

What Hungerball does

Hungerball Limited is a New Zealand-based private sports concept and social enterprise founded in 2015 by Andu Iordache, who originally invented the game as a 12-year-old in Romania. The company's core product is the HUNGERBALL® arena, a circular inflatable structure approximately 10 metres in diameter with six goals arranged around its perimeter, enclosed by netting to contain a ball during play. The arena supports multiple game variations including HUNGERBALL Soccer (the original) and HUNGERBALL Hockey (developed in 2017 with Hockey New Zealand), as well as formats such as 1v1 x 6, 2v2v2, 3v3, in-and-out rotations, and last-man-standing tournaments. The design is intended to keep every participant simultaneously attacking and defending, supporting inclusive play across ages 3 to 82 and across physical and cognitive abilities, including wheelchair users and visually impaired participants.

The business operates a hybrid model. In Auckland, the company runs direct event hire through its headquarters team of trained coaches operating five arenas, with tiered pricing of NZD 340–690 + GST per session. The primary growth lever is an associate/licensing programme in which regional partners operate HUNGERBALL arenas in their territories, receiving brand usage, training, marketing support, booking tools, and operational documentation. Distribution is reinforced by partnerships with regional sports trusts (Sport Hawke's Bay, Primary Sports Canterbury, Sport Otago, Sport Bay of Plenty, Aktive), football clubs (Auckland FC, Manukau United FC, Team Wellington, Seattle Sounders FC), and charities (John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams Foundation, Foundation North). An Online Facilitator Training Programme launched in 2023 to standardise and scale facilitator delivery globally. The company commits 10% of profits to providing arenas to organisations supporting marginalised and underprivileged groups.

Hungerball reaches customers through community-led, event-driven, and channel-partner go-to-market motions. Marquee customers span primary, intermediate, and secondary schools; football clubs and federations; disability and rehabilitation providers (BLENNZ, Halberg Games, Springhill Corrections Facility, Matarau School); and event/festival operators. Reported scale signals include 40,000+ people engaged annually (2022), 100,000+ participants annually (10-year anniversary data), 100,000+ minutes of play per year, and 8 new associate licenses signed in 2022. The company is actively operating, with international expansion underway in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK, the USA, Venezuela, and the Philippines, and pursuing a mission captured as "getting the whole world moving" through inclusive experiential play.

Name

Hungerball

Legal name

Hungerball Limited

Website

https://hungerball.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hungerball Limited is a New Zealand private sports concept and social enterprise that operates an inflatable, six-goal circular arena for inclusive football, hockey, and ball games, generating revenue through direct event hire and a regional associate/licensing model serving schools, sports clubs, charities, and community groups across six countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recreational Sports Services

NAICS

Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries (713)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Team Sports Matches (Club & National) (MPAGAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

Keywords

• Inflatable sports arenas
• Multi-goal ball games
• Sports event hire
• Franchise sports programs
• Inclusive physical activity

Headquarters

HQ city

Orewa

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Arena Hire / Event Services: Revenue from hiring out HUNGERBALL arenas for events including schools, community gatherings, corporate functions, sports clubs, and holiday programmes. Pricing is tiered by duration with supervisor options.
2. Associate/Partner Licensing: Regional associates pay for the right to operate HUNGERBALL arenas in their territory, receiving brand usage, training, support, booking tools, and access to the HUNGERBALL competitions format and player registration platform.
3. Social Enterprise Partnerships: 10% of profits go toward providing HUNGERBALL arenas to organisations supporting marginalised, underprivileged and high-deprivation groups. Some funding comes from grants and partnerships with charitable foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Hungerball designs, deploys and licenses an inflatable multi-goal arena (approximately 10 metres in diameter with six goals) in which football, hockey and other ball-game variations are played. The company generates revenue through arena hire for schools, community events, corporate functions and sports clubs, through a regional associate (franchise-style) licensing programme that supplies partners with branding, training, booking tools and operational documentation, and through social enterprise grants and partnerships that place arenas in marginalised communities.

Product overview

HUNGERBALL is an internationally-awarded sports concept and social enterprise centered on their signature inflatable multi-goal arena. The core product enables football (HUNGERBALL Soccer), hockey (HUNGERBALL Hockey developed with Hockey New Zealand), and other ball game variations. The offering portfolio includes arena hire services for events, schools, corporate functions and community programmes, the HUNGERBALL Online Facilitator Training Programme for training operators and teachers, and a Regional Associate Programme for franchise-style partnerships. The company operates across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, UK, and USA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HUNGERBALL Arena Hire Rental of the HUNGERBALL inflatable multi-goal arena with optional supervisor for community events, schools, corporate functions, sports clubs, birthday parties and holiday programmes. Pricing is tiered by duration from 0-2 hours through full day, available within a defined radius of Central Auckland.
• HUNGERBALL Soccer The original football-based game played inside the HUNGERBALL arena, where participants defend and attack multiple goals at once to deliver continuous engagement for all skill levels.
• HUNGERBALL Hockey A hockey adaptation of the HUNGERBALL game developed with Hockey New Zealand in 2017, allowing field hockey variations to be played within the multi-goal arena system.
• HUNGERBALL Online Facilitator Training Programme Self-paced online training with modules, videos, quizzes and certificates for each level. Trains facilitators to deliver safe operating practices, rules, and inclusive HUNGERBALL games for all ages and abilities.
• HUNGERBALL Associate Programme Regional partnership and licensing programme that allows individuals or organisations to operate their own HUNGERBALL arena, receiving brand usage rights, training, marketing support, booking tools and operational documentation. Operates across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the UK and the USA.

Quantifiable outcome

• 40,000 people engaged annually (2022 data)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Sir Ray Avery's Amigo BarsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 June 2020Partnership to promote HUNGERBALL Games and Amigo Bars in schools throughout NZ and internationally. Sir Ray Avery Foundation donates free amigo bars to kids in need at specific HUNGERBALL events.
• LencocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLenco partners with HUNGERBALL to reach out to schools and sports enthusiasts, providing support for activations and community engagement.
• Anchor (Anchor Dairy)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerNaming rights partner for Anchor HUNGERBALL Arena at Auckland FC. 3-year partnership featuring the arena at Auckland FC home games and community events.
• Sport Hawke's BaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional sports trust that leased a HUNGERBALL arena for 12 months to deliver to schools through their Healthy Active Learning programme.
• Primary Sports CanterburycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew HUNGERBALL partner for Canterbury and West Coast regions. PSC membership includes more than 230 kura from Canterbury and West Coast regions.
• Sport OtagocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional sports trust partner for Otago region with HUNGERBALL operator Jake Ward.
• Sport Bay of PlentycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional sports trust partner for Bay of Plenty region.
• AktivecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with Aktive supporting Auckland sport and recreation initiatives.
• CLM Community SportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity sport partner assisting with funding support for HUNGERBALL deliveries to schools and communities.
• Foundation NorthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFunding partner supporting HUNGERBALL deliveries to South Auckland communities including refugee resettlement centres.
• John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams FoundationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharitable foundation that invested in six HUNGERBALL arenas for South Auckland schools, putting more than 20,000 kids through the game yearly.
• Friends of Football NZminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFootball charity partner for community engagement events.
• Manukau United FCcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNRFL Premier League club with permanent HUNGERBALL arena for engaging South Auckland communities and schools. Long-standing partner with renewed licences.
• Ginger SportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial partner delivering HUNGERBALL in Queensland, Australia.
• Quest Football AcademycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner delivering HUNGERBALL in Queensland alongside Ginger Sport.
• The Y (YMCA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYMCA partner for community engagement through HUNGERBALL.
• Hockey New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated to develop the HUNGERBALL Hockey adaptation in 2017, expanding the concept beyond football.
• DentonscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLeading full-service law firm (world's largest global law firm) providing pro bono intellectual property support and legal assistance to HUNGERBALL.
• HUNGERBALL Soccer International Federation (HSIF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational federation established in October 2016 to govern HUNGERBALL Soccer rules, equipment, and licensing rights globally.
• Auckland City Football ClubcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour event with HUNGERBALL arena. Auckland City FC represents Oceania at FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
• Auckland FCcoreGTM or Marketing Partner3-year partnership with Anchor HUNGERBALL Arena at Go Media Stadium for fan activations at home games and community events.
• Team WellingtoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerISPS HANDA New Zealand Premiership side using HUNGERBALL for training sessions and holiday programmes.
• Zespri InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of AIMS Games including HUNGERBALL activations at the event.
• Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa – Māngere Refugee Resettlement CentreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHUNGERBALL delivered to refugee resettlement centre as part of Foundation North funded project.
• New Windsor Community HubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity hub partner for HUNGERBALL activations.
• RASNZminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner delivering HUNGERBALL through regional sports network.
• Sport 2.0minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner delivering HUNGERBALL through sporting organisation.
• Harbour SportminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuckland sports trust supporting HUNGERBALL community initiatives.
• Sport WaitakereminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuckland sports trust supporting HUNGERBALL community initiatives.
• Springhill Corrections Facility (Department of Corrections)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHUNGERBALL activation for 40 inmates and 12 staff for rehabilitation and social connection programmes.
• Auckland CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCouncil support for HUNGERBALL through Out and About programme.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Sky Zone: Franchised indoor trampoline and active entertainment park chain with locations across the US and internationally. Comparable to Hungerball in offering franchise-based active physical entertainment for families, schools, and parties with a similar community- and event-driven go-to-market approach.
• Urban Air Adventure Park: Franchised indoor active entertainment centres featuring trampolines, obstacle courses, and group activities. Comparable to Hungerball in the family active-entertainment category and in scaling through franchisees that deliver community events and group programming.
• Kidstrong: Franchise-based youth character and physical development centres operating group classes for children ages 1-11. Closely comparable to Hungerball in combining a youth-focused physical activity product with a franchise/associate expansion model, and serving overlapping school and parent customer segments.
• The Little Gym: Globally franchised children's enrichment and physical development programme for ages 4 months to 12 years. Comparable to Hungerball through its franchise model, child development value proposition, and structured activity programmes delivered through trained instructors in local territories.
• Lil' Kickers: Youth soccer development programme for children ages 18 months to 9 years, delivered through franchise operators. Comparable in its focus on early-age football/soccer skill and confidence building, and in using a franchise structure to reach schools and communities.
• Funtopia: Franchised active entertainment centres offering indoor playgrounds, ninja courses, and climbing walls for families and groups. Comparable to Hungerball in delivering inclusive, multi-age active play experiences through a franchise model with group event and party programming.
• Bounce Inc: Franchised trampoline and active entertainment venue operator with presence in Australia, the UK, and the US. Comparable to Hungerball in offering group-based active entertainment experiences through licensed operators, including in the Australian and UK markets where Hungerball also has associate presence.
• Soccer Shots: Franchised youth soccer enrichment programme operating in schools and recreation centres across the US, serving children ages 2-8. Comparable to Hungerball in targeting the youth soccer segment through a licensed-operator model with school and community-based delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Topgolf: Large-scale experiential sports entertainment venue operator combining sport, food and beverage, and events. Comparable to Hungerball as a broader incumbent in the experiential sports entertainment category, though operating at significantly larger venue scale and serving an older, less sport-development-focused audience.
• iFLY Indoor Skydiving: Global franchise of indoor skydiving wind tunnels delivering experiential sport and entertainment to consumers, schools, and corporate groups. Comparable to Hungerball in operating a capital-intensive experiential sports activity through a franchise model, but at a much higher per-unit capital intensity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hungerball
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmdqNFYiC3PBwW1AONEptxw
• Facebookfacebook.com/hungerball
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hungerball
• Instagraminstagram.com/hungerballsport
• TikToktiktok.com/@hungerball

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hungerball