The timeless charm of Subbuteo, the board game that conquered generations of children in the 70s, 80s and 90s, has come back to life thanks to SubbuteoLab, a project born from the passion of Daniele Mancuso. According to the dictionary, Subbuteo is simply a “board game in which, on a green cloth reproducing a miniature football pitch, silhouettes of players are arranged, moved with the fingers by two opponents simulating a football match”. However, for Mancuso, Subbuteo is much more: it is a journey through time, an experience capable of rekindling the bond between generations.
Founded in 2016 in Tuscany, SubbuteoLab has quickly gained ground, opening two new stores: in Turin in 2022 and in Rome in September 2023. These three stores represent a sort of living museum of Subbuteo, offering a space of 250 square meters between green cloths, assorted teams, cups and accessories, where the game can not only be purchased, but also experienced. Here, nostalgics, fathers and grandfathers find the opportunity to share a piece of their childhood with their children and grandchildren, while the curious and neophytes are enchanted by a world that seemed lost.
“In our stores you go back in time”, explains Daniele Mancuso. “Those who come to us have the opportunity to rediscover a game that, with the advent of electronics in the early 2000s, seemed to have disappeared. It is not uncommon to see customers come in by chance and be fascinated by the unique atmosphere that reigns in our stores.”
But SubbuteoLab is not just a place of sale: it is a meeting point for enthusiasts, collectors and anyone who wants to explore this universe. “We live in an age where everything is fast and digital”, continues Mancuso. “With SubbuteoLab I wanted to create an oasis of slowness and strategy, where respect for the opponent and the pleasure of playing together are important. Our main goal is to introduce Subbuteo to the new generations, reviving an authentic gaming experience, far from the screens.”
To achieve this goal, SubbuteoLab regularly organizes events and initiatives in all its stores, involving an ever-growing number of enthusiasts. “We want our stores to become real points of reference for those who love Subbuteo, but also for those who are simply curious to discover a game that made history.”
With a vintage flavour that blends with a modern vision, SubbuteoLab has managed to bring back to life a piece of board game history, making it accessible to everyone. Between miniature fields and plastic players, young and old can rediscover the pleasure of challenging each other with finger strokes, dreaming of replicating the feats of the great champions.
Article published on 26 September 2024 - 11:33
