A major new immersive gaming attraction described as like being in a scene from Mission Impossible is expected to draw thousands of additional visitors into Basingstoke town centre as fast-growing leisure brand Activate unveils plans to open a new venue at Festival Place.
The latest launch announcement comes from We Do Play, the experiential leisure group behind Activate, Boom Battle Bar and Flip Out, the UK’s biggest trampoline and indoor adventure park group. Festival Place is home to one of 32 Flip Out venues and it has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors since its launch in 2018. The group’s growing presence at the shopping centre highlights Basingstoke’s increasing appeal as a hub for experience-led leisure.
The competitive social entertainment concept, which combines physical challenges with interactive, technology-driven gameplay, is targeting strong demand from across Hampshire and the wider southeast, with Basingstoke’s large catchment and established retail footfall making it a key location for expansion.
Activate has quickly become a go-to spot for Gen Z, young professionals and groups looking for fun, fast-paced activities with a social edge. Groups of two to five players can jump, climb and problem-solve their way through high-energy, interactive game rooms featuring lasers, grids, hoops and portals – a thrilling combination of live-action challenge and futuristic tech.
The new Basingstoke site will bring all of Activate’s signature games – Strike, Portals, Control, Press, Hide, Laser (which is like a scene from Mission Impossible), Grid, Mega Grid and Hoops, all under one roof.
Originally launched in Canada in 2017, Activate now operates more than 60 locations globally across Canada, the US and Dubai and has generated more than 750 million social media views. The Basingstoke opening will be the brand’s latest launch, following rapid growth across London and Newcastle. The first London Activate opened at The O2 attraction in December 2024 and now boasts a top-tier TripAdvisor ranking, #5 must-visit attraction in London and glowing five-star reviews across the board. The O2 launch was the first Activate outside of North America.
