Who says a little rivalry is a bad thing?
Throughout history, teams have competed to lift the heaviest weight, race the fastest lap and climb the highest mountain.
This is why we’re giving you 15 tried-and-tested games focused on the competitive spirit. We know they’ll elevate your team bonds.
Ready to crank up the energy? Let the (friendly) battles begin!
What makes competitive games so useful for teams?
Sure, not everyone’s out to win a gold medal in office chair racing, but a little competition really does go a long way toward bringing teams together.
Competitive games push people out of their comfort zones. When done right, they encourage quick thinking and inspire the kind of teamwork that’s hard to find anywhere else. Games can help you spot natural leaders, creative problem-solvers, and dark horses who thrive under pressure.
A great competition doesn’t even feel like “team-building.” It feels like pure fun, a playful way to build serious connections. A competitive spirit keeps things lively and helps teams grow stronger with every challenge, work-related or otherwise.
15 of the best games focused on competition
So here are 15 of the best games to light up the fire of competition in the hearts of your teams!
1. Tower defence
This high-stakes challenge will bring out your team’s inner architects… and destroyers.
Each group has 20 minutes to build the tallest freestanding tower they can using limited materials. Don’t be afraid to prepare some strange resources, like spaghetti, tape, and Haribo marshmallows. Once time’s up, teams take turns trying to strategically sabotage the other towers using soft projectiles (like stress balls or crumpled paper).
The goal is to defend your structure while plotting glorious, sticky revenge on the competition. You’ll need creativity, steady hands, and the readiness for a little chaos.
Perfect for sparking rivalries and big laughs, this game is one of the best HR games teams can use to crank up office energy. TIMBER!
2. Capture the swag
You might have heard of “capture the flag” from one of your favorite videogames, or from a day of competitive paintballing. This one is just like that, only now the prize is branded merch, golden staplers, or that elusive company hoodie everyone secretly wants. In this high-energy showdown, teams race across designated “zones” to grab the swag and get it safely back to base without being tagged by opposing players. Epic.
It’s fast-paced, slightly chaotic, and guaranteed to stir up a competitive spirit. Add layers like team roles (defenders, runners, strategists) or puzzles that must be solved to unlock the swag’s location.
Victory never looked so well-branded!
3. Office Olympics
Channel the energy of Greek heroes with an Office Olympics ceremony to remember. There are plenty of games to choose from, like chair races, paper toss precision, desk basketball, or even typing-speed battles. Keep score after each round and watch the rivalries heat up as teams inch closer to gold.
This game thrives on variety, so try mixing in both physical and mental contests to keep everyone on their toes. Bonus points for a podium ceremony, with DIY medals, of course (there’s chocolate inside!).
So if you’re looking for a workplace competition contest that gets everyone hyped, this one’s got all the guts and glory you need.
4. Trivia gauntlet
Put your team's knowledge to the test in a fast-paced trivia showdown that rewards speed, smarts, and a teensy bit of luck. Whether it’s pop culture, company history, or bizarre world records, this game is ready to create a head-to-head showdown where bragging rights are on the line.
You can play tournament-style or keep it casual, with points tallied round by round and the top teams advancing to a final brain-busting battle. Throw in some curveball rounds, like picture clues or “finish the lyric”, to keep things lively.
Trivia is fantastic because you can make the topics as broad or as specific as you’d like. Get those mental muscles flexing to start some fun, competitive rivalries.
5. Debate club smackdown
Welcome to the arena of arguments, where only the sharpest logic (and sassiest comebacks) survive. In this fast-paced debate challenge, teams square off on light-hearted or work-relevant topics, like “Should meetings before 9 am be illegal?” or “Coffee vs. tea: which powers productivity better?”
Each side gets just a few minutes to prepare their case before launching into a timed, moderated face-off. Judges (aka fellow teammates or managers) score on clarity, creativity, and persuasiveness.
It’s a fantastic way to sharpen communication skills, fuel some healthy competition, and let people share some hot-takes in a setting that’s way more fun than a quarterly report. Let the verbal smackdown begin!
6. Relay race royale
Sometimes, the most direct forms of competition are the best ways to bring teams together. This is basically a race, and it brings some high energy to the office. Turn the relay into a series of mini challenges where each member competes, back-to-back with their competition.
Each team designates runners, strategizes the order, and races to complete all legs in the shortest time possible. Add a timer, pump-up playlist, and a cheering squad, and you’ve got the perfect storm of laughter and adrenaline.
This one’s ideal for breaking up a long workday and infusing some friendly rivalry into your teambuilding activities for work. On your marks!
7. Puzzle masters tournament
It’s brains over brawn in this cerebral showdown. Teams go head-to-head to solve a series of increasingly tricky puzzles—crosswords, logic grids, riddles, or even escape-room style challenges. Speed is important, but so is teamwork and strategy.
You can set up different puzzle stations or deliver clues in rounds, with points awarded for accuracy and time. For added flair, award themed titles like “Riddle Royalty” or “The Code Crackers” to your top teams.
It’s a great option for those who thrive on problem-solving and mental competition. Just the right amount of head scratching, mixed in with the competitive spirit.
8. World War Whiteboard
Arm your team with markers—it’s about to get tactical. In this high-energy game, two teams face off on opposite sides of a giant whiteboard. The goal is to capture territory by solving challenges, answering questions, or completing tasks to earn “marker moves.”
Every correct response lets a team draw their border further, blocking their opponents and claiming more space. Add twists like “bonus attacks” or “surprise reinforcements” to keep the adrenaline flowing.
It’s the perfect mix of strategy, speed, and sabotage and a brilliant way to turn everyday whiteboards into full-blown battlefields. Just make sure you’ve got plenty of erasers on standby, soldier!
9. The pitch off
Time to unleash your team’s inner entrepreneurs. In this competitive challenge, each group is given a random product or problem. This can be anything, from “a coffee mug that texts emojis to your boss” to “solving traffic jams using goats.” Their mission is to create and deliver the ultimate pitch.
Teams have 10–15 minutes to brainstorm, develop a concept, and present their idea Shark Tank–style to a panel of judges (aka your other teammates or managers). Criteria like creativity, persuasiveness, and presentation skills determine the winners.
This works best in small teams, but can still be a great game for large groups. Bring out everyone’s competitive edge with a touch of chaos!
10. Bake off - face off
Don’t you just love a bit of friendly competition, which also happens to be delicious? Well, we do.
In this flour-fueled showdown, teams compete to bake the best treats under time constraints and surprise challenges. Set some cooking challenges for your squad, like cupcakes with a mystery ingredient or a “no-oven” dessert round. There’s plenty of room for creativity and sabotage (the fun kind).
Each team is judged on taste, presentation, and originality. Bonus points if someone manages to incorporate your company logo anywhere on the food. You can bring in guest judges or let everyone vote for their favorite.
This is the perfect lighthearted battle to satisfy both your sweet tooth and your competitive streak, while giving your team a break from the usual workplace grind.
11. Team feud
Inspired by the classic game show, Team Feud pits groups against each other to guess the most popular answers to fun, work-friendly survey questions. Questions like “What’s the worst thing to forget before a meeting?” or “What’s the most common office snack?” are guaranteed to spark laughs (and fierce debates).
Each correct answer earns points, but only the top guesses make the leaderboard. You can even survey your own team ahead of time for extra relevancy.
This fast-paced, buzzer-beating format taps into team pride and pop culture know-how, making it one of the best collaboration games your teams can enjoy while letting loose and bonding through competition.
12. Build-a-bridge challenge
Armed with only basic materials like straws, paper, tape, and string, teams are tasked with building a bridge strong enough to support a small object, like a mug or a stapler. They only get 20 minutes, and the bridge must span a set distance between two chairs or desks.
This activity is equal parts engineering, strategy, and pure chaos. Teams need to plan fast, communicate well, and test their designs under pressure. Bonus points for creativity and style. Just don’t skimp on structural integrity!
It’s a fun way to spark problem-solving and a competitive spirit without leaving the office. May the strongest bridge win!
13. Minute to win it madness
Fast, fierce, and absolutely ridiculous, this series of bite-sized challenges pits teams against each other in rapid-fire one-minute tasks. Fire up your best minute to win it games and let the chaos unfold. Use games like stacking cups, balancing pencils and transferring ping-pong balls with a spoon in your mouth, for some real fun!
Each round is a showdown, with points awarded for speed, precision, and style. It’s ideal for injecting quick bursts of energy into your day, whether you're breaking up a long meeting or running a full-blown team-building event. The sillier the game, the better the memories.
Perfect for offices that thrive on friendly rivalry, this one’s a certified classic, perfect for large groups and smaller teams alike!
14. Sales pitch duel
Prepare your teams to step into the (imaginary) boardroom and charm, persuade, and out-sell their coworkers (no actual product necessary). In this sales game, teams are given a random, often absurd item, like a brick, a spoon with a mustache, or a glow-in-the-dark stapler. Then, they have to craft and deliver a killer sales pitch to win over a panel of judges.
Points go to the most creative group with the best delivery. Alternatively, award the team with the most audacity! If they actually make someone want to buy the product, too, then that’s perfect!
This one is ideal for teams who love the spotlight and a little verbal sparring. It functions as a fabulous group competition for the workplace. Put some wind in their sales!
15. Coded quest
Tech meets treasure hunt in this high-energy challenge. Teams are given a series of puzzles, riddles, and mini-challenges. Some can be written in code, while others require real-world navigation or logic to crack a final “unlock” goal. You can tailor the codes to your industry, use QR clues around the office, or even build out a digital escape room.
This one fuels friendly rivalry while rewarding problem-solving, teamwork, and three dashes of espionage.
It’s an ideal pick for wrapping up your teambuilding retreats with a bang, especially for groups that thrive on brainpower and a race against the clock.
Turn competition into real connections, with a Surf Office retreat!
Team competitions go much deeper than surface-level fun. They elevate team bonds and bring out hidden talents that nobody ever knew existed. But the best way to build that kind of energy? Take your games to a one-of-a-kind location.
We take all the hassle out of planning a company retreat, so your team can focus on bonding, not booking.
Here’s what you get when you retreat with us:
- Stress-free transfers? We got you! ✅
- Quality-assured accommodations? Check! ✅
- Engaging team-building activities? Our specialty ✅
- Restaurant reservations? That's on us! ✅
- Expert retreat planning assistance? Of course, we have this covered! ✅
- On-site support, tailored to your needs? Absolutely ✅
Not only this, but we also have access to 160+ locations around Europe, APAC, the US, Latin America, and now Africa, meaning the sky is your limit when it comes to choosing the right location for you and your team.
Don’t let your team-building plans gather dust in a Google Doc. Bring them to life, with a Surf Office touch! Spaces are very limited, so contact us today and secure your spot before dates fill up!
