Soccer with coworkers: the lunchtime slot
By the Poteau Team · updated
IN SHORT
In France, weekday lunchtime is the cheapest slot for a 5v5 game with coworkers. A spot usually costs €7, versus €11 in the evening. It's also the easiest time to join a game: 7 in 10 still have a spot at kickoff. And when a company pays for the field, it's sometimes free.
€4 less than the evening
On Poteau, a weekday lunchtime spot usually costs €7. A weekday evening spot, €11.
At one game a week, that's about €16 a month. And at lunchtime, nearly one game in three is discounted.
Prices as seen on Poteau in France. A venue may charge differently if you book direct.
There's room
At lunchtime, 7 games in 10 still have at least one open spot at kickoff. On weekday evenings, 3 in 10.
If you're the only one at the office who wants to play, this is your slot. Join a game and you're set.
If you're organizing, it's the opposite. Extra players are harder to find at lunch. Start with an almost full crew.
Every level, every age
Coworkers come in all levels. Every player-run game shows the expected level. About one in five welcomes levels 1 to 4.
And at lunchtime, three players in ten are 35 or older. Coworkers past 35 won't be the only ones.
Where people play at lunch
The fields where players start the most lunchtime games on Poteau:
UrbanSoccer Puteaux-République and Puteaux
UrbanSoccer Quai d'Ivry (Ivry-sur-Seine)
Centre sportif Suchet (Paris 16th)
Play Soccer (Toulouse)
Centre sportif Suzanne-Lenglen (Paris 15th)
Centre sportif Bertrand-Dauvin (Paris 18th)
Puteaux comes first. Makes sense, La Défense is right next door.
One hour, then back to work
At lunchtime, player-run games most often last an hour. Enough time to play, change and grab a bite.
Bring the basics: a light shirt, a dark one, and turf shoes.
When the company pays
Some companies pay for the field for their staff. If they're two short, the organizer can open those spots. Then you play for €0.
And if your company has a sports budget, ask. A field at about €70 an hour, split 10 ways, is a small line item.
Organizing with coworkers
Post the day before. Lunchtime games usually go up 19 hours ahead.
On Poteau, you say how many players you're missing. Poteau keeps those spots open, and the rest are for your coworkers. The game chat is where you agree on when to leave the office.
The Poteau Team