Former England international and Arsenal legend celebrates Father’s Day by stepping inside Immersive Gamebox’s new World Cup-inspired Football Arcade game

London, 21st June 2026: Former England international, Arsenal legend and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson marked Father’s Day with a footballing family showdown at Immersive Gamebox Southbank, taking on its brand-new Football Arcade experience alongside his 11-year-old son Freddie.

Putting the ‘Mers’ in Im-mers-ive Gamebox, Paul went head-to-head with Freddie, a Chelsea academy player, with session built around the kind of football rivalry many families will recognise: dad insisting he has still got it, son quietly backing himself, and plenty of debate over who really carried the team.

Together, Paul and Freddie took on a series of fast-paced football-inspired mini-games against fans, including Headers, where players compete to score the most headed goals; Goalie, where they dive to block shots; and Dribbler, where teams navigate obstacle-filled football courses. Bonus rounds, including Human Foosball and Streaker Security, brought the chaos, before the families teamed up for a final challenge to keep multiple virtual footballs in play for as long as possible.

With the World Cup in full swing, Football Arcade recreates the feeling of tournament football in a format anyone can enjoy, whether they are football-mad or have never kicked a ball before. Designed for teams of 2 to 6 players who choose a nation, customise their avatar and compete on a global leaderboard, with a $10,000 grand prize up for grabs. Expect tension, celebrations, last-minute saves and at least one argument over who bottled the final challenge.

Unlike traditional gaming or VR experiences, Immersive Gamebox is completely controller and goggle-free. Powered by 3D motion tracking, projection mapping and touch-sensitive walls, each Gamebox turns players into the controllers, making the experience easy to play for children, families, friendship groups, birthday parties and competitive mates alike.

Available for a limited time to coincide with the 2026 World Cup, Football Arcade is available at Immersive Gamebox venues across Essex, Leeds, Liverpool, London, and Manchester until 31 August 2026. Players can represent their country, customise their avatar and compete on a global leaderboard, with a $10,000 grand prize up for grabs.

Football Arcade is available at Immersive Gamebox until 31 August 2026.

About Immersive Gamebox

Immersive Gamebox is revolutionising the world of immersive entertainment through its cutting-edge group gaming experiences. Featuring state-of-the-art Gameboxes equipped with 3D motion tracking, projection mapping, and touch-sensitive walls, Gamebox offers multiplayer games that allow players to step inside the action. With over 30 locations globally, Gamebox continues to expand its portfolio of immersive games, partnering with leading brands and studios to create unforgettable experiences. When it comes to fun and games, Immersive Gamebox is in a league of their own with over 60,000, 5-Star Google and Tripadvisor reviews putting them in the top 10% of attractions worldwide.

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