Foosball derives its name from the German word Fussball, which is the German word for soccer. With New Ulm being a German town, it makes sense for Foosball to make a resurgence here.

Schell’s Foosball Experience will be held from April 5-7. Eight tables will be set up and multiple tournaments will be held throughout the three days. Professional players will also be attending from within Minnesota and from South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Foosball Clubs USA organizer Josh Sarpy said with this event they are hoping to bring Foosball back to New Ulm in a big way.

“We’re gonna reintroduce it to people who’ve played it in their childhood or people who’ve never played it before or even seen Foosball,” he said. “Basically, Foosball in New Ulm is nonexistent. Now there will be a table here at the Rec Center, Schell’s Brewery, the Best Western in town, and a few other places. We’re bringing Foosball back.”

Kids play on the foosball table at the New Ulm Rec Center. Park and Rec Director Joey Schugel said the table has been used non-stop since its recent placement.

Sarpy said this new event in New Ulm is just one of many pieces in bringing Foosball back to relevance. A goal is to bring back a Foosball state tournament to Minnesota, which last happened around 15 years ago. Schell’s General Manager Curt Van Asten said it was the passion of people like Sarpy that brought everything together.

“Josh really spearheaded most of this,” he said. “His passion, his group of guys that play weekly tournaments around the state. Foosball is German by nature so it makes sense to bring it into a German brewery and have that cohesiveness with the game. We’re always looking for fun, unique things to bring to town.”

The event will begin Friday at 5 p.m. with a friendly draw-your-player event, where you draw your partner and play with them against other teams for $15. Saturday will start at 11 a.m. with a Minnesota Monster, where each person entered will play with a different person each round over five rounds.

Following this will be a bring-your-player tournament, which is a monthly event held across the state that draws in many professional players. More draw-your-player and singles play will round out the night. Sunday will feature pick-up games, beat-the-pro opportunities, and a business social draw-your-player.

Van Asten said the event has received enthusiastic feedback from the business and tourist communities. Activity has already picked up around town before the event. Park and Rec Director Joey Schugel said they have seen plenty of activity at the Foosball table recently installed in the lobby area of the rec center.

“There’s people playing all day,” he said. “We see a high number of after-school kids playing but we have adults playing during the day against each other. It’s offering another unique experience that this facility has.”

Looking to bring attention to and revitalize a sport can be a massive undertaking, but for Sarpy, it is more about ensuring the best experience possible for those who attend.

“I’ve been to and a part of enough of these to know if we build it, they will come,” he said. “We want to make sure everybody has fun and a good experience. We want to come back. That’s our main focus. Keep growing the sport, putting the focus on Foosball, and showing people it’s a great game.”

While playing in individual tournaments requires a fee, attending is free of charge. A Foosball table will be available at the B&L Bar each night for those looking to play after the events end at Schell’s.