Liverpool-based Spartacus Bubble Soccer brought their viral, high-energy experience to a sold-out ice hockey arena this weekend, wowing nearly 1,500 fans at the Deeside Dragons’ final home game.
The event took place during the Deeside Dragons’ home fixture against the Billingham Stars on Saturday, 21 March at Deeside Leisure Centre.
While the Dragons secured a dramatic 5–4 victory on the scoreboard, the intermissions saw selected participants take to the rink in giant inflatable bubble suits for a series of high-energy, full-contact games.
What followed was absolute chaos as players were seen slipping, spinning, colliding, and being sent flying across the ice while the crowd erupted with laughter and noise.
Built in Liverpool and delivered on ice, Spartacus Bubble Soccer has grown into one of the UK’s leading providers of bubble football experiences.
This Deeside event marked the latest in a series of ambitious stunts designed to push the boundaries of group entertainment.
Founder Joe Clarke explained the motivation behind the move onto the rink. He said:
“We’re always looking at how we can take what we do and make it bigger, more exciting, and completely different.
“This one felt like a risk, but we knew if we could pull it off, it would be something special.”
A Breakthrough Moment Born from Near Cancellation
The event almost didn’t happen after multiple last-minute venue cancellations and rejections. Clarke pushed forward by reaching out to over 20 venues in a final attempt to make the concept work.
Reflecting on the stress of the build-up, Clarke said:
“Three days before we were due to take to the ice, it got pulled.
“We did everything to make it happen. In the end, we had one shot left, and we took it.”
That final opportunity came through the Deeside Dragons, turning a near cancellation into a breakthrough moment for the Liverpool company.
David Edwards, the father of Deeside Dragons ice hockey player Rhys Edwards, was among those who took part in the icy mayhem:
“It was fantastic, I absolutely loved it.
“It’s hard work, but a brilliant experience and something I’d definitely do again.
“I’d give it 10 out of 10.
“Even watching it afterwards, it was just as entertaining, the crowd really got into it.”
Real Fans and Real Chaos
Rather than relying on influencers or staged content, Spartacus opened the opportunity directly to the public.
Spots filled within 48 hours, with more than 20 people signing up for just a handful of places on the ice.
Shaun, the General Manager of the Deeside Dragons, noted the impact on the matchday atmosphere:
“It was brilliant.
“The crowd interaction was amazing and brought something completely different to the period breaks.
“It was great to have Spartacus involved, and we’d absolutely welcome them back next season.”
120 Million Views and Global Potential
Spartacus Bubble Soccer has already generated over 120 million views across social media, with previous clips featured on major platforms including ESPN.
The Deeside event was filmed from multiple angles, including crowd cameras, on-ice footage, and referee body cams, with content set to be released across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
A full behind-the-scenes YouTube episode documenting the journey from cancellations to the eventual breakthrough is also set for release.
Joe Clarke believes this could be their most impactful content yet, as he said:
“We’ve had some big moments before.
“But this one, with the crowd, the setting, everything, this has the potential to go even bigger.”
With the success of the event and new content already in production, Spartacus is now exploring even more extreme versions of the experience.
Looking to the future, Clarke added:
“This was just the start. Now the question is, where do we take the bubbles next?”
