Combat Archery in Copenhagen Turns Parks Into Arenas
Locals swap dodgeballs for bows in Copenhagen’s Søndermarken park, as combat archery blends sport, play, and community—transforming a quiet Monday afternoon into a lively, unconventional battle.
It’s a peaceful Monday afternoon in Søndermarken, Copenhagen. Locals are stretched out under the blue skies, soaking up the sun. But at the heart of the park, a battle is underway. Ten men, armed not with fists, but with bows and arrows.
This is Combat Archery, a weekly meet-up where participants turn the park into an arena. Arrows fly, laughter echoes, and the clashes end not in bruises, but in smiles.
“[Combat Archery] started here about 15 years ago,” says Ask Lystrand, an anthropologist.
Lystrand was one of the founders of the sport in Copenhagen, alongside Lars Andersen, a Guinness World Record holder for “the most consecutive arrows shot through a keyhole" in 2022.
“[Andersen] is pretty well known as an archer, he’s made a lot of videos about archery, and he’s refound and old way of shooting.” Says Kasper Lapp, a boardgame designer and player with 8 years of experience
Also known as battle archery or archery tag, the game is a combination of dodgeball, paintball, and archery, with its rules closely resembling dodgeball.
During the Monday sessions, the arena is marked by cones on a grass field, however the sport is often played in different settings. “We used to play indoors, with obstacles, so we used to shoot much closer at each other.” Says Lapp.
Participants form teams and shoot at opponents with large foam tip arrows using a bow, and a player is eliminated if struck by an arrow.
Combat archery has yet to gain Olympic recognition, but the sport has already made its mark, with live broadcasts on ESPN2 and leagues operating worldwide, providing seasoned players a chance to compete at a higher level.
