It really depends on what you’re looking for in a paintball experience! Both indoor and outdoor paintball offer unique experiences, but they cater to different preferences.

Indoor Paintball

Pros:

• Weatherproof: No rain, no wind and no sun, just consistent conditions apart from the temperature.

• Urban feel: The fields often mimic buildings, tight corners, and close-quarters combat.

• Location: Indoor fields are usually located in industrial areas making them easier to get to via public transport.

Cons:

• Temperature: Most indoor fields are in metal warehouses, they tend to become ovens after a few days of hot weather

• Less space: The smaller arenas can feel cramped, and there’s more likely you get shot at point blank range.

• Choice of games: There’s only so many times you can play death match on a CQB field before it gets boring.

• Limited terrain: You’ll get lots of barriers and tight spaces, but you won’t have the natural environment, like grass and trees.

• Cost: Indoor fields usually have much higher overheads and limited playing space so tend to be more expensive than outdoor fields.
• Noise: Indoor fields tend to be nosier due to the enclosed space making it difficult to communicate with your team mates

Outdoor Paintball

Pros:

• Natural terrain: You get to play in forests, fields, or even hills, giving you more dynamic cover and opportunities for stealth, ambushes, and long-range shots.

• More strategic depth: With larger spaces, you can play more complex games with varying strategies, from close-quarters combat to long-range ambushes.

• Better for teams: Larger areas allow for bigger teams and more intricate teamwork, making it great for group play.

• Game variety: Outdoor fields offer more game zones and game types which gives players a lot more variety.

• Cost: Outdoor fields are cheaper to operate so can offer cheaper prices as well as the option for private sessions.
• Teamwork: Unlike the noise found in indoor paintball that limits communication, outdoor paintball allows you to work as a team.

Cons:

• Weather-dependent: Extreme weather can impact game-play. You might need to check the forecast before heading out.

• Location: Outdoor fields are usually located in rural areas which can take longer to get to and you will need your own car.

• Slower-paced: The bigger game zones can slow down the pace, so you won’t get that same constant action as you would indoors.

So, which is better?

So I may be biased but having worked at both indoor and outdoor over the last 3 decades my personal preference is outdoor. When you compare the pros and cons it’s not hard to see why. Fun fact, almost every indoor paintball field that has opened in Australia has gone broke within a decade of opening their doors. We’ve been here for 11 years and we will be for many more!