Chelsea Is Getting Archery Tag

Archery Games is opening its first American location, where you can play a combination of paintball, dodgeball, and archery called archery tag.

Read all about the latest gym openings, healthy events, and fitness trends in our twice weekly Wellness newsletter.

The first day of spring came and went, but with chilly weather in the forecast, this weekend might just be another one for indoor activities. Luckily for those suffering from cabin fever, there’s something new to get you moving.

Opening in Chelsea this weekend, Archery Games Boston will be the first of its kind to grace the city with archery tag game play. Owner Brian Seto says it combines all the things people love about dodge ball and paintball, except maybe for the pain, into a new and exciting sport.

“We do get a bit of concern that it will hurt,” Seto says. “But the large foam tipped arrows will feel more like getting hit with a tennis ball and won’t leave any marks or bruises.”

Each 75-minute session (25 minutes of briefing and 50 minutes of game-play) is complete with training and target practice, just in case your archery skills aren’t on Katniss Everdeen’s level. Seto says all participants are fully equipped with a mask, which they provide, and an optional arm-guard.

The games take place in a 13,000 square-foot facility in a turfed arena and each game is played under referee supervision, to keep the peace and enforce the rules. Once teams are made and in position, the whistle blows and everyone makes a beeline for the center of the arena to snag up their first arrow (much like dodge ball). With obstacles for players to hide behind, there is an added element of surprise and strategy. Most of the games are played elimination-style, but Seto says as time goes on they’ll switch up the rules to keep it interesting.

“You don’t need any experience in archery or sports to pick it up,” Seto says. “And don’t worry if you come in without a group—we’ll throw you in to play with others. We just need a minimum of eight players to form a game.”

This will be Archery Games’ first US-based location, with two other locations in Canada, and the venue is available for birthday parties, corporate team building, and private events. Seto says a big draw is their large party tables and open space where people can bring their own food. “It’s the party experience without all the cleanup,” he explains.

So why not let out some pent-up energy and aggression from the week and shoot strangers with arrows? We promise it won’t end as badly as it did for Rickon Stark (Season 6 Game of Thrones, anyone?). For all you other amateurs looking for a battle royale minus the blood and gore of Game of Thrones, Archery Games is your best bet.

$20/person this weekend only (usually $27), Archery Games Boston, 121 Webster Ave. #3, Chelsea, archerygamesboston.com