A great away day should not feel like another meeting moved outside. This corporate away day guide is for organisers who want to bring colleagues together with an activity that is active, social and easy to arrange – without losing sight of budgets, accessibility and the needs of a mixed team.
Planning your paintball day out? To view the latest packages and the best prices for your chosen venue, visit our Paintball Prices page before you continue reading.
Start with the outcome, not the activity
Before comparing venues or collecting numbers, decide what the day needs to achieve. Is the aim to welcome new starters, reward a team after a busy period, improve communication between departments, or simply give people a proper chance to switch off together? A clear answer makes every later decision easier.
Paintball works especially well when the priority is shared participation. Teams must communicate, make quick decisions and support one another while taking part in a friendly, professionally managed activity. It gives colleagues something to talk about beyond project deadlines, and it does not require anyone to arrive with specialist sporting experience.
That said, no single format suits every group. If your team includes people who would rather not play, consider building in an arrival briefing, a relaxed lunch or refreshments, and time to socialise before or after the sessions. A well-planned day gives everyone a way to feel included, rather than making participation feel like a test.
Set a realistic brief and budget
A corporate away day can become complicated when the brief is vague. Keep it practical from the start: expected group size, preferred date, travel radius, total spend per person and the time available. A half-day event may be ideal for a local team that needs to return to work, while a full-day experience can be a stronger choice for colleagues travelling from several offices.
Your budget should cover more than the advertised activity price. Account for transport, food, any additional paintballs team members may want to purchase, and a small contingency for last-minute changes. It is also worth agreeing in advance whether the business will cover all optional extras or whether attendees can buy their own on the day. Clear expectations prevent awkward conversations later.
For paintball, check exactly what the selected package includes. Core packages can include entry, game fees, insurance, a marker gun, hopper and propellant, but package details and venue arrangements can vary. Confirm the final inclusions at the point of booking so you can give your group accurate information.
Choose a venue that makes attendance easy
The best venue is not necessarily the one with the most impressive commute for the organiser. Look at where the group is based, whether colleagues will travel by car or public transport, and how much time they will realistically have. A convenient location usually improves attendance and gets the day off to a better start.
With more than 120 paintball locations across the UK and Ireland, Nationwide Paintball can help organisers look for options near major cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Cardiff and Dublin, as well as many other towns and cities. Availability, facilities and game zones differ by location, so choose a venue based on your group’s needs rather than assuming every site offers the same set-up.
Ask about practical details before committing: parking, arrival arrangements, changing space, food options, shelter in poor weather and the likely finish time. If you are organising for a larger group, find out how teams will be allocated and whether your colleagues can play alongside the people they work with most closely. These details shape the experience as much as the activity itself.
Make your corporate away day feel inclusive
The strongest corporate events are competitive enough to create a buzz but welcoming enough that beginners do not feel left behind. Paintball is easy to understand when the event team explains the rules, safety procedures and game objectives clearly. Nobody needs tactical knowledge to enjoy getting involved.
Tell colleagues what to expect well before the date. Explain that they should wear comfortable outdoor clothing and suitable footwear, arrive on time for registration and listen carefully to the safety briefing. Reassure first-timers that equipment and guidance are provided as part of the organised experience. This is particularly helpful for teams that include a wide range of ages, confidence levels and previous activity experience.
Avoid presenting the day as a contest to find the most competitive person in the office. The better approach is to focus on communication, problem-solving and shared laughs. Mix teams across departments where appropriate, but use judgement. For a group that is already working well together, keeping established teams intact may create a more relaxed atmosphere. For teams that rarely interact, a planned mix can lead to useful new conversations.
Build a simple timetable that leaves room to enjoy it
Trying to fit too much into an away day is one of the quickest ways to drain the energy from it. Give people enough time to travel, check in, get equipped and hear the briefing without rushing. If you are using the day for a business update as well as an activity, keep the formal part short and meaningful.
A simple structure often works best: meet and register, hold a brief welcome, complete the safety briefing, play the sessions, then gather for food or a casual debrief. The social time at the end matters. It allows people to share their favourite moments, recognise good teamwork and continue conversations that started during the games.
Weather is another reason to avoid a minute-by-minute schedule. Outdoor events can still run brilliantly in typical British conditions, but your group will appreciate a flexible plan and clear instructions about what to bring. Check the venue’s advice before sending the final itinerary.
Communicate early and keep the booking process clear
Once the date and venue are agreed, send a straightforward event note to everyone attending. Include the address, arrival time, clothing guidance, what is included, any dietary or access information you need them to provide, and a contact number for the day. Do not bury the key details in a long email chain.
It also helps to name one organiser and one back-up contact. They can manage late arrivals, answer simple questions and make sure the venue team has the right group numbers. For larger businesses, collect attendance confirmations early, then reconfirm close to the event. This makes planning more accurate and avoids paying for places that will not be used.
If colleagues are travelling from different areas, consider arranging shared transport or setting an agreed meeting point. A day that begins with people struggling to find one another rarely creates the relaxed atmosphere you are aiming for.
Use the experience after the event
A corporate away day does not need a formal workshop to deliver value. The moments colleagues remember – a smart team decision, encouragement from a manager or a surprising new partnership – can carry back into everyday work. Give that value a little space to land.
After the event, send a short thank-you message and invite feedback while the day is still fresh. Ask what worked, what people enjoyed and what would make a future event even better. Keep the questions light, but take the answers seriously. They will help you choose whether the next event should be longer, closer to the office, more social or built around another group format.
Ready to plan a team day with impact?
The right corporate away day gives colleagues a reason to step away from screens, work together differently and return with genuine shared memories. Choose a convenient venue, communicate the plan clearly and let the event team handle the practical side so you can enjoy the day with your colleagues. Ready to organise your next group adventure? Book Paintball Near You and Find Your Nearest Venue to start planning your day.