When the world’s biggest soccer tournament came to the United States this summer, brands, teams, and creative agencies did not hold back. Fan inflatables showed up in ways that were hard to ignore: floating in ponds, towering over public parks, and anchoring pop-up experiences right outside stadium gates.
At Inflatable Design Group, we worked with many brands to bring their activations to life in the form of fan inflatables.
A 44-Foot Inflatable Takes Over Boston Commons
Boston Legacy FC is Boston’s National Women’s Soccer team, and this summer, they wanted to do something that would put them on the map during one of the biggest sports moments Boston has seen in years. Their answer was a 44-foot inflatable swan installed at the Frog Pond on Boston Common.
The swan is the team’s mascot and centerpiece of their club crest, so it made sense as a statement piece. According to WHDH, the installation served “…as the centerpiece of a free public activation designed to bring fans together during one of the world’s biggest soccer moments.”
The goal was to draw attention to the team while tapping into the energy filling the city. As Amina Bulan, Chief Revenue Officer for Boston Legacy FC, put it, the hope was that the activation would bring a sense of joy and community to the people of Boston and raise awareness that world-class women’s soccer exists right in their own backyard.
After its debut on Boston Common, the swan traveled to Providence, Rhode Island, to continue the regional celebration. For a team looking to grow its fanbase and connect with a city buzzing with soccer energy, a large-scale public inflatable was exactly the right move. It drew people in, was photographed, posted on social media, and was completely on-brand for the team.
An Uber One Party That Turned 30,000 Square Feet Into a Soccer Dream
David Stark Design, the production and event design team behind some of the most impressive large-scale events in the country, brought us in for the Uber One Party: World Cup Edition. Held at Pier 36 in New York City, the event transformed 30,000 square feet of basketball courts into an immersive fan experience. The brief, as described on their Instagram, was clear: make the world’s game feel wildly, wonderfully Uber
The install took seven days and brought together 1,500 guests. IDG built a giant inflatable soccer ball that served as a centerpiece for the space. At an event where every detail was considered, the inflatable had to hold its own visually, and it did. It added scale, dimension, and a sense of spectacle that matched the energy of the night. The Backstreet Boys performed, the crowd was packed, and the space felt like a genuine celebration of the sport and the moment.
Events like this are a good reminder of what inflatables do in large blank venues. They fill space and create a visual anchor that gives people something to gather around, photograph, and remember.
Lay’s and 7-Eleven Bring Soccer Season to Arlington, Texas
Lay’s is an Official Sponsor of the tournament, and for their activation, they transformed a 7-Eleven at Texas Live! In Arlington, just across from one of the host stadiums, into a month-long fan destination. The store was wrapped in Lay’s iconic yellow branding and stocked with limited-edition food options, exclusive merchandise, and photo ops designed for social sharing.
IDG made multiple inflatable soccer balls in Lay’s signature yellow for this collaboration. The balls were attached to the roof of the 7-Eleven and played into the brand’s colors and the soccer theme, making them a perfect fit for the space.
According to the official Lay’s press release, the activation ran from June 14 through July 14 and included ticket giveaways, surprise prize drops, and chef-inspired menu items. The whole thing was built around the idea that there is no wrong way to show up for the game, whether you are a lifelong fan or just there for the snacks. The inflatables fit that energy perfectly: bright, playful, and impossible to walk past without stopping.
Brawl Stars and Adidas Bring a gaming Icon to Brooklyn
The Brawl Stars and adidas partnership was one of the most unexpected collaborations of gaming and soccer culture this summer. It included in-game events, an apparel collection, and a real-world fan activation at adidas’ Home of Soccer event in Brooklyn, New York, held at Brooklyn Bridge Park in late June.
IDG built a custom inflatable replica of Spike, one of the Brawl Stars’ most recognizable characters, holding a replica of the official tournament match ball. Spike was placed at the adidas pop-up as part of an immersive experience that included gameplay zones, exclusive giveaways, and a live Starr Cup Shootout event. The inflatable gave fans an immediate photo opportunity and a tangible connection to the Brawl Stars universe in the real world.
The partnership between Brawl Stars and adidas is built around the idea of blending digital and physical fan experiences. The Spike inflatable was a key part of that bridge. It took something fans know from their screens and made it physical, present, and shareable in a way that no screen can replicate.
Why Fan Inflatables Work So Well at Large-Scale Events
Looking across all four of these activations, a few things stand out about why inflatables were the right choice in each case.
Scale is the most obvious one. A 44-foot swan in Boston Commons can’t be missed. But inflatables are also remarkably social. Every single one of these activations generated organic photo and video content from attendees who stopped and posed to take a picture with the installation. That kind of content has real value!
Inflatables are also versatile. They work outdoors and indoors, at public parks and private events, at stadium-adjacent pop-ups and at music venues. They pack down, transport well, and can be reused across multiple events, which makes them a smart long-term investment for brands and teams with ongoing activation needs.
Plan Your Next Activation with Fan Inflatables By Inflatable Design Group
Whether you are planning a brand activation, a fan event, a product launch, or a public installation, IDG can help you design and build fan inflatables that gets people talking. We work with brands, agencies, teams, and event producers across all industries to bring custom inflatable concepts to life.
Our lead time is 6+ weeks and always changing, so the sooner you reach out the better. Email us at info@inflatabledesigngroup.com to start the conversation. Get started on your fan inflatables today!