Table Soccer
The exact time and place of table soccer's origin in late 19th-century Europe remain uncertain. Most historians believe the first table soccer-like device appeared in Germany or France around that period, though no definitive evidence exists to confirm this.
While references to table soccer date back to the 1890s, the earliest documented patent (British Patent No. 205991, filed October 14, 1922) was awarded to Harold Searles Thornton for a "table soccer game apparatus." Thornton, inspired by a matchbox, created the game to simulate football after feeling frustrated about not being able to play. His uncle later brought the invention to America, where it was further modified and patented (U.S. Patent No. 1615491).
According to Belgian magazine Le Soir illustré, French inventor Lucien Rosengart claimed to have created "baby foot" in the 1930s as winter entertainment for his grandchildren, while Spanish inventor Alejandro Finisterre patented his futbolín version in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War - this design forms the basis of modern table soccer.
After over a century of evolution, table soccer has become a popular fitness activity across Europe and America, particularly in France.
Since France is located in the center of Western Europe, has a developed economy, and table soccer is the most popular and widespread in France, in the 1960s, table soccer, with France as its center, rapidly developed in Europe. The French Table Soccer Association (AFBF) has table soccer branches in 30 major cities across the country, and there are a total of 32 table soccer clubs. These 32 table soccer clubs take turns to organize the "European Cup" round-robin qualifying matches at the end of each month, and the overall champion is determined at the end of the year. Starting from March every year in France, there is a table soccer urban league match every month. People ranging from children as young as 7 years old to the elderly up to 70 years old can participate. Participants can form teams freely, such as parents bringing their children, father and son teams, or friends teaming up to participate. It is exciting and lively, and has become a joyful community fitness activity on weekends.
Meanwhile, table soccer enthusiasts in European countries like Germany, Belgium, and Italy have voluntarily established promotional organizations and clubs. Notably, Germany's renowned P4P Table Soccerl Organization has organized numerous influential tournaments within just a few years. With a membership exceeding one-fifth of Europe's total, this organization has produced world-class players like Müller and Oktay, many of whom have achieved outstanding results in international competitions.
Statistics show Europe boasts a large contingent of professional table soccer players who train 6-10 hours daily. Over 30 European countries/regions host themed leagues annually, offering cumulative prize money exceeding 20 million yuan.
The United States has also witnessed rapid growth, with around a dozen annual open tournaments divided into children's, youth, and senior categories. Regional champions from all divisions compete in national playoffs, with the year-end final winner earning hundreds of thousands of dollars in prize money. The American Foosball Association (AFA) serves as the governing body, overseeing grassroots development and organizing diverse events across the country.
Table soccer was first introduced to China in the 1960s when scholars studying in the Soviet Union encountered the game there and brought it back domestically. Initially, it gained limited popularity in institutions like children's palaces and welfare homes in major cities.
Restricted by the era's conditions, table soccer did not achieve widespread adoption in China, primarily played by overseas scholars and foreign embassy staff. The turning point came in the 1990s when returnee Wang Yong opened Benlei Bar in Shenzhen. By introducing table soccer, his bar became extremely popular, inspiring dozens of Guangzhou bars to follow suit within a few years. The 2002 Guangzhou International Table Soccer Invitational marked the sport's formal entry into Chinese public consciousness.
Official recognition came in 2006 when the General Administration of Sport designated table soccer as an officially managed sport, triggering rapid nationwide development:
2015: Establishment of Guangzhou Table Soccer Association (first municipal-level)
2019: Founding of Jiangxi Provincial Table Soccer Association (first provincial-level)
2022: Historic inclusion in Jiangxi Provincial Games (first provincial-level competition)
2019: Chinese team won 1 silver and 3 bronze medals at Spain's 10th Murcia Table Soccer World Cup, achieving medal breakthrough
2011: National Table Soccer Promotion Committee established, leading to over 500 schools (including Shenzhen Xili Primary School, Jiujiang University) incorporating table soccer into PE curricula
This progression transformed table soccer from niche curiosity to organized sport with significant grassroots participation.
