The real cycle-ball rules
It plays by the rulebook from the gym floor: the ball is played with the bike or the head only, and no foot touches the ground. If you know cycle-ball, you will feel at home instantly.
World premiere
Bikeball The world's first cycle-ball game for iOS and Android.
No foot ever touches the ball. You play it with your front wheel and your head, backwards as well as forwards, on 14 by 11 metres of indoor court. We are bringing the fastest cycling sport in the world to your phone.
Still in development — the release will be announced right here.
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Cycle-ball — the sport almost nobody knows
Two players per team, one ball, two goals. The ball is played with the bike or the head only — never with your feet, and putting a foot down takes you out of the play. Everyone rides fixed gear: riding backwards, balancing on the spot and switching direction in an instant are all part of the craft.
The whole thing was invented in 1893. There have been world championships, leagues and clubs ever since — and yet the sport never got a video game. Until now.
- 14 × 11 m Indoor court size
- 2 vs. 2 Players on court
- 1893 First cycle-ball match
- 0 Video games so far
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What is inside the cycle-ball app
Riding cycle-ball on a touchscreen takes some learning: fixed gear, riding backwards, ball control with the front wheel. That is exactly what the dedicated training mode is for — you get the controls down at your own pace before heading into a match.
Training mode with an AI partner
Practise first, play second. Training lets you get to know the controls at your own pace, alongside your AI partner, before you move on to a real match.
Matches against the AI
In the first release you take on a computer-controlled opponent. Short matches, clear outcomes, an instant rematch.
Built for the touchscreen
Two thumbs, no menus in the way. Tuned for iPhone and Android — landscape, 60 frames per second.
Planned for later versions
Not included yet- Online multiplayerMatches against real opponents instead of the AI.
- Career modeThe road from club matches to the world championship.
- Team selectionPick one of the existing clubs1 or put together your own fantasy team.
- Skills and staminaTrain your riders’ abilities and endurance and make them stronger over a season.
- Coach marketSign star coaches and get more out of your team.
- More venuesSeveral sports halls — from the club gym to a full arena.
- Equipment storeDigital bikes, rims and balls to unlock.
- Camera switchFour-metre balls and corner balls seen head-on instead of top-down.
1 Clubs registered with Bikeball only.
Features are in development and may change before release.
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A first look at the game
This is what Bikeball looks like right now: a top-down view of the court, two riders per team, the ball in the middle, the score in the top right.
Work in progress
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What is being worked on right now
Bikeball is not finished yet. These are the four areas currently being worked on.
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Polishing the design
Visuals, controls and the court are getting their final pass.
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Controls
Several control schemes are being built and tested against each other in play.
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The rulebook
The cycle-ball rules are being translated into the game step by step.
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Training the AI riders
Set pieces are identified from video footage by one AI, turned into prompts, and implemented in the game by a second AI.
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Frequently asked questions about cycle-ball and Bikeball
What is cycle-ball?
Cycle-ball is an indoor cycling discipline. Two teams of two riders each play a ball into the opposing goal using only the bike or the head. It is played indoors on special cycle-ball bikes.
How is cycle-ball played?
The ball may only be played with the bike or the head. If a rider puts a foot on the ground or props themselves up, they immediately lose the right to play: they have to ride behind their own goal line and re-enter the court with one wheel outside the penalty area before they may join the action again. Only the ball may ever be challenged, never the opponent or their bike.
How big is a cycle-ball court and its goals?
For official international competition the court measures 14 by 11 metres. National events may deviate, but must not go below a minimum of 12 by 9 metres. At least 0.60 metres of clear space should surround the court. The goals have a clear opening of 2 by 2 metres and must not be fixed to the floor.
How long does a cycle-ball match last?
It depends on the age group: elite and U23 play 2 × 7 minutes, juniors U19 2 × 6 minutes, youth and schools (U17 and U15) 2 × 5 minutes. Tournaments may shorten this to 2 × 5 minutes. A match is always played in two halves with a change of ends and a two-minute break.
What kind of ball is used in cycle-ball?
The surface of the ball must be made of fabric, it is fully spherical with a diameter of 17 to 18 centimetres and weighs between 500 and 600 grams. The core is pressed animal hair, usually horsehair, which is why the ball barely bounces at all.
What kind of bikes are used in cycle-ball?
Cycle-ball bikes are purpose-built. Wheels measure 20 to 26 inches and must be spoked, the handlebar may not exceed 380 millimetres across the grips, and cranks are 135 to 170 millimetres long. The bottom bracket sits at least 220 millimetres above the floor so the cranks do not ground out while manoeuvring. The gearing is fixed by the rules: one crank revolution moves the bike 2.00 to 3.20 metres. Toe clips are not allowed.
May the ball be played by hand?
As a rule, no. Only the defending rider may use their hands inside the penalty area, and only with both feet on the pedals and both wheels inside the area. A caught ball may not be thrown beyond the defence line and must touch the ground again within three seconds. There is no such thing as a direct goal by hand. If the ball gets caught in the bike, the rider may free it by hand as long as they gain no advantage from doing so.
What are a free hit and a 4-metre ball?
The free hit is the penalty for infringements committed outside the penalty areas. The ball is placed where the infringement happened, at least one metre from the boards, and the offending team must keep at least four metres away. The 4-metre ball is the penalty for infringements inside your own penalty area — cycle-ball's equivalent of a penalty kick. A rider counts as being inside the area as soon as any part of the bike or body touches the floor within it.
When does a goal count in cycle-ball?
A goal counts once the ball has fully crossed the goal line. If it is rolling along the floor, its entire contact patch must have passed the rear edge of the line. The goal also stands if the shooter falls after releasing the shot. A ball deflected into your own goal always counts for the opponent.
Is there a cycle-ball app or video game?
Yes. Bikeball is the world's first cycle-ball game for iOS and Android. The app is in development and the release will be announced on this page.
Is Radball the same as cycle-ball?
Yes. Radball is the German name for the sport known internationally as cycle-ball. Bikeball is available in English and in German.
Rule details follow the UCI International Regulations for Two-Man Cycle-Ball (Union Cycliste Internationale), in force since 1 January 2018.
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Be there for the first whistle
The cycle-ball game is coming to iOS and Android. The moment the stores open, the links will be right here.