What is Floorball?

Floorball is a fast-paced, indoor team sport similar to hockey, but played on foot with lightweight sticks and a plastic ball. It’s easy to learn, low-impact, and designed for all skill levels—no checking, skates, or heavy/expensive gear required.

A Brief History of Floorball

Floorball began in the 1960s and 70s in Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland, where it was originally played as an off-ice training game for hockey players. But it quickly evolved into its own fast, skill-based sport. By the 1980s, it had become an organized international game—with standardized rules, lightweight sticks, and high-speed indoor play.

The International Floorball Federation (IFF) was formed in 1986, and today the sport is played in over 70 countries. Floorball is now recognized by the International Olympic Committee and is on a pathway toward Olympic inclusion.

The Game Arrives in the U.S.

Floorball reached the U.S. in the early 2000s, brought over by international players, hockey trainers, and grassroots advocates who saw its potential to grow. It was fast, inclusive, required minimal equipment—and perhaps most importantly—it was fun.

One of the first major milestones came with the formation of USA Floorball (then the U.S. Floorball Association) in 2002. Early efforts focused on building awareness, hosting small tournaments, and sending teams abroad to compete.

The Golden Era: 2006–2009

The USA Hits the World Stage

From 2006 to 2009, the U.S. Men’s National Team saw a surge in international attention. Competing in the World Floorball Championships (WFC), Team USA made significant strides, earning respect from the European powerhouses who had dominated the sport for decades.

These years marked the first serious wave of American floorball credibility. The team qualified for top-tier international events, and the U.S. gained a foothold in the global floorball conversation. Momentum was building.

The Long Climb and Local Resurgence

After the 2009 WFC run, U.S. floorball entered a quieter phase. Growth continued, but slower—fueled by hockey coaches using floorball as a training tool and small pockets of enthusiasts launching local clubs.

From 2010 onward, grassroots efforts carried the torch: schools adopted the sport for PE classes, tournaments popped up in Midwest cities, and states like Minnesota and New York developed youth programs.

Still, the sport needed a breakthrough moment.

2010–2019: Grassroots Growth & Quiet Momentum

Following its international splash, U.S. floorball continued to grow through local programs, school leagues, and regional tournaments. Hockey coaches adopted floorball as an off-ice training tool. PE programs started introducing it to kids. Pockets of play emerged in cities like Dallas, Chicago, and Boston.

By 2018–2019, there was real momentum again. New clubs were forming, youth events were gaining traction, and the floorball conversation was growing louder.

COVID

The global pandemic in 2020 hit floorball hard. Indoor rec sports came to a standstill. Community leagues folded, gyms closed, and momentum that had taken years to build evaporated almost overnight. With no games, no tournaments, and no visibility, floorball went quiet across much of the U.S.

But not permanently.

The Rebuild: A National Effort, and Richmond Joins In

Thanks to USA Floorball and the dedication of players, organizers, and clubs across the U.S., floorball stayed alive through connection, creativity, and community.

Those who kept their cities playing—whether in garages, gyms, or just group chats—deserve the credit for keeping the flame lit.

Now, Richmond Floorball Club proudly joins that ongoing rebuild—one of many new communities helping bring floorball to new heights, especially across the East Coast.

Richmond has quietly become a leader in floorball activity—hosting more players than almost any other U.S. city. Richmond is a city known for its openness, energy, and DIY spirit, perfect for this sport. Richmond Floorball Club (RFC) was founded to bring that momentum together, galvanize the local players here, grow the sport across age groups, and build a lively community around it all.

What started as weekly games among friends has become a full-blown movement: leagues, clinics, school outreach, and open-play sessions designed for beginners, athletes, and anyone just looking to move and have fun.