Baizewick guide
Table football tables: sizes, rods and room space
Plan roughly a metre of clear space behind each long side, where the players stand, and allow for the rods. You need less room at the ends.
How much room does it need?
Home table football tables vary in size, so check the maker’s dimensions. Two figures matter: the cabinet size, and the overall width including the rod handles.
With through rods, the rods also slide out of the far side of the table during play.
Players stand along the long sides. Plan roughly a metre of clear space behind each side for the players and their movement. You can allow less at the ends, where nobody stands.
Schematic, not to scale. Check the maker’s overall width including rod handles. Telescopic rods do not stick out of the far side.
Telescopic or through rods?
| Telescopic rods | Through rods | |
|---|---|---|
| How they work | Rods slide inside themselves and don’t stick out of the far side | Rods pass right through and slide out of the far side as you push them in |
| Safety | Safer around children, who could be hit by a protruding rod | Can hit people standing on the other side |
| Feel | Can feel slightly less direct | Direct and solid, often preferred by regular players |
| Space | Need less clearance beside the table | Need extra clearance for the protruding rods |
What to look for
- Weight and frame: a heavy, rigid cabinet won’t move or rock during fast play.
- Levelling: adjustable feet, so the ball doesn’t roll to one side.
- Figures: fixed securely to the rods. Counterbalanced figures hang upright when not in use.
- Goalkeeper: some tables have one goalkeeper on the goal rod, others have three.
- Bearings and handles: rods that slide smoothly, and comfortable, grippy handles.
- Ball return and scoring: handy extras, but you can do without them.
Indoor and outdoor tables
Most table football tables are made for indoor use and don’t cope with damp. Store an indoor table in a dry, heated room.
Outdoor tables use weather-resistant materials, and they still need a cover.
Table football on a multi-game table
Some multi-game tables include a table football section. They save space, but they are usually lighter and smaller than a dedicated table. See our multi-game tables guide.