Garlando Foosball: Brand History, Design Philosophy, Rules, and Reputation

Buying from a respected name does not automatically guarantee the right playing experience.

Garlando makes everything from family models to competition equipment. The materials, rods, playfields, and intended users can differ considerably.

This Foosball Junkie guide examines the Garlando brand itself, helping buyers understand its history, engineering, rules, limitations, and reputation without promoting individual products.

What Is Garlando?

Garlando is an Italian manufacturer associated with foosball, billiards, table tennis, air hockey, and other recreational equipment.

The company officially began operating in 1954. Its roots, however, reach back to a family woodworking business active during the 1920s.

Today, Garlando Sport & Leisure combines industrial manufacturing with its traditional experience in woodworking. The company describes its approach as a combination of craftsmanship, research, technology, safety, and Made in Italy design.

For foosball buyers, the important point is scope.

Garlando does not build one standard table under several cosmetic names. It serves different settings, including:

• Private homes
• Schools and community spaces
• Outdoor recreation areas
• Bars, arcades, and commercial venues
• Training centers
• Professional table soccer competitions
• Accessible play for wheelchair users

The brand’s current home range includes family models, foldable designs, weather-resistant options, enclosed tables, and ITSF-approved competition equipment.

This broad range explains why two Garlando foosball tables may feel very different despite sharing the same badge.

Visit Garlando Store

The History of Garlando Foosball

Garlando’s history matters because the brand did not begin as a marketing company importing generic game tables.

Its foundation came from practical woodworking knowledge.

Giovanni Garlando operated a carpentry workshop in Spinetta Marengo during the 1920s. The workshop produced various wooden goods and developed the manufacturing skills later used for table cabinets.

A major turning point came after French inventor and entrepreneur Marcel Zosso arrived in Italy in 1949.

Zosso had experimented with early table football designs but needed woodworking expertise and production capacity. Renato Garlando recognized the commercial potential, and their cooperation led to large-scale Italian production.

Between 1951 and 1954, Garlando produced approximately 12,000 tables, despite relying heavily on manual manufacturing methods. The company was officially established in 1954.

Garlando later expanded across Europe and other international markets.

In 2002, the company moved to a larger production site in Pozzolo Formigaro. It also began working more closely with organized player associations.

A competition version of the Deluxe model appeared at an international event in Vienna. That project eventually developed into the World Champion, which Garlando says became an official ITSF tournament model in 2004.

The International Table Soccer Federation currently lists Garlando among its official table partners.

This history gives the company experience across two connected markets:

• Durable commercial equipment built for frequent use
• Private-use equipment designed around safety and accessibility

Garlando applies lessons from each market to the other. Its higher-level home models often share construction ideas with commercial tables, while public-use models may include safety features associated with home equipment.

What Makes Garlando Foosball Different?

The Garlando name alone does not tell you how a table will play.

However, several recurring design choices create a recognizable brand identity. Buyers should understand these traits before comparing individual models.

Italian Playing Style

Traditional Italian Garlando play is often fast, reactive, and direct.

Garlando describes the Italian “on the fly” style as a format where the player strikes quickly after contact. Multiple controlled touches between figures on the same rod are restricted under that style.

The company contrasts this with “passage” play, which allows more deliberate passing between figures on one rod. Passage play usually produces slower buildup and more planned shot preparation.

This distinction matters for buyers.

A player familiar with an American control-focused table may need time to adjust to a Garlando surface, ball, figure shape, or rod response. The experience is not necessarily better or worse. It rewards a different rhythm.

Garlando hardware can support several styles, but competition rules determine which techniques are legal.

Do not judge the brand after one rushed game on an unfamiliar setup. Ball type and playfield texture can change the experience significantly.

Brand-Specific Engineering

Many Garlando models use 16 mm machine-trued hollow steel rods with anti-rust chromium plating.

The company emphasizes torsion resistance because rods that bend or twist can affect passing accuracy, shooting consistency, and bearing wear. Rod thickness and wall construction vary by model, so buyers should confirm the technical sheet rather than assuming every Garlando uses identical bars.

Another recognizable feature is the use of players molded directly onto the rods.

This one-piece arrangement helps prevent figures from shifting during play. It also differs from systems where individual figures are attached using screws or pins.

Depending on the model, rods may run through nylon bearings, steel roller bearings, or a combination of bearing components.

Higher-level Garlando roller bearings aim to provide smoother movement while reducing strain on the wrists.

Playfields also vary.

Garlando uses materials including:

• Plastic laminate
• Transparent glass
• Tempered glass
• Non-reflective sanded glass
• Enclosed glass-covered playing areas

A sanded-glass playfield generally gives buyers a different balance of speed and grip than a glossy surface. However, ball type remains equally important.

Changing the ball can make a familiar table feel like someone quietly changed the rules overnight.

Cabinet and Goal Design

Garlando cabinets range from medium-density fiberboard constructions to multi-layer plywood designs.

Some home models use thick MDF with melamine coatings. Higher-specification or weather-resistant cabinets may use multi-layer plywood and plastic laminate.

Common brand features include:

• Heavy-duty square or slanted legs
• Adjustable leg levellers
• Reinforced goal structures
• Behind-goal ball recovery
• Competition abacus score counters
• Side ball-entry systems
• Silk-screen printed field markings

Levelling deserves more attention than buyers usually give it.

A slightly sloped playing surface changes ball behavior, creates unwanted dead areas, and may favor one side. Adjustable feet help correct uneven floors without modifying the cabinet.

A loose or tilted table does not add character. It adds accidental defense.

Garlando’s Main Foosball Categories

Garlando organizes its equipment around intended use, not simply appearance.

Understanding these categories is more useful than selecting a model based on color or cabinet shape.

Garlando separates its home products into ranges such as The Classics and The Games.

According to the company, The Classics includes professional-style models sharing features with coin-operated equipment. The Games range includes semi-professional options aimed at both children and adults.

The current Classics range includes models such as the G-500, G-2000, G-5000, Foldy Evolution, Pro Champion, Number 1, Special Champion, and several Weatherproof versions.

The Special Champion demonstrates how broad the brand has become.

It uses a reduced height and wider cabinet layout to accommodate wheelchair users. Garlando offers both standard and competition-related versions.

Understanding Garlando Model Names

Garlando model names indicate position, construction, appearance, or intended environment. They do not form a perfectly simple ranking system.

A higher number may suggest a more elaborate home model, but buyers should still compare specifications individually.

Garlando currently describes the G-5000 as a top-range freeplay model. It uses multi-layer plywood, lacquered beech legs, levellers, and a non-reflective sanded-glass playfield.

By comparison, G-500 and G-2000 versions commonly use MDF cabinets but differ in leg design, styling, and included features.

The name therefore provides a starting point, not a complete buying answer.

Someone looking for the best Garlando foosball table should first define the environment, players, rules, safety needs, and storage limitations.

Garlando Outdoor Foosball Engineering

Outdoor buyers face a specific problem: ordinary indoor materials do not tolerate repeated exposure to moisture, sunlight, salt, dirt, and temperature changes.

A Garlando outdoor foosball table addresses those risks through material changes rather than a simple waterproof coating.

Depending on the model, outdoor construction may include:

• Marine-grade multi-layer plywood
• Water-resistant plastic laminate
• Waterproof cabinet glue
• Sealed playfield adhesives
• Anti-rust chromium-plated rods
• Stainless-steel components
• Powder-coated metal legs
• Adjustable feet for uneven surfaces
• A waterproof protection cover

For example, Garlando’s Class Weatherproof uses marine multi-layer plywood, water-resistant laminate, waterproof glue, 16 mm chromium-plated rods, and levellers for uneven flooring. Buyers can choose between going-through and telescopic rod configurations.

However, weatherproof does not mean maintenance-free.

Garlando recommends covering outdoor models when not in use. A cover limits ultraviolet fading, dust buildup, bird waste, rain exposure, and dirt entering the bearings.

The company also advises against leaving a table in snow for extended periods. In coastal areas, salt can attack chromium plating, so rods should be cleaned before protective silicone is applied.

For buyers, the practical takeaway is simple:

A Garlando all-weather foosball table can tolerate outdoor conditions better than an indoor model. It should still be placed under shelter when possible and covered between sessions.

Permanent neglect is not an approved maintenance strategy, even when the product name includes “Weatherproof.”

Garlando and Competitive Foosball

Garlando has a genuine place in organized competition, but its tournament status applies to particular models and configurations.

It does not apply automatically to every table carrying the Garlando logo.

The brand’s competition development grew from the Deluxe World Champion used at events in Vienna. The World Champion later became an ITSF tournament model, followed by updated competition designs.

Current examples include:

• Pro Champion: Presented by Garlando as an official ITSF training and Pro Tour table
• Number 1: A coinless table officially approved for international ITSF tournaments
• Special Champion ITSF version: An accessible competition configuration
• World Champion 2.0: A competition model developed from earlier World Champion designs

The Number 1 uses a 30 mm MDF cabinet, adjustable metal legs, 16 mm anti-rust rods, steel ball bearings, molded figures, a sanded-glass playfield, reinforced HDP goals, competition scoring, and Speed Control Plus balls.

ITSF also lists Garlando among its official table manufacturers.

This matters to serious buyers because tournament approval involves more than cabinet strength.

Competition configurations can affect:

• Figure geometry
• Rod movement
• Ball weight and grip
• Goal consistency
• Dead zones
• Playfield texture
• Bumper behavior
• Scoring equipment
• Table height and stability

A home model may offer excellent recreation without recreating a sanctioned table soccer setup.

Garlando Foosball Rules and Playing Format

There is no single rulebook used for every game played on a Garlando.

Casual owners may follow Garlando’s simplified private-use rules, regional Italian formats, house rules, or formal ITSF regulations.

Basic Garlando Rules

Garlando publishes simplified rules adapted from the FICB Traditional Doubles regulations.

Under that private-use summary:

• The objective is to score goals against the opposing side.
• The first player or team to score eight goals wins.
• Players change ends after seven combined goals.
• The opening ball begins in the defensive area.
• The ball must touch a side wall before an attacking attempt.
• Possession and passing are limited to ten seconds.
• Rotating a rod more than 360 degrees during a shot is a foul.
• A ball entering and rebounding from the goal still counts.
• Advantage may apply when a foul does not disadvantage the opponent.

One detail deserves clarification.

A side ball filler may be part of the physical table, especially on commercial designs. That does not make “service through the side filler” a universal playing rule.

Always separate the table’s ball-entry mechanism from the rulebook being used.

Recreational vs Tournament Rules

Garlando’s simplified FICB-based rules are not interchangeable with current ITSF Standard Matchplay Rules.

ITSF maintains separate official rules, classic rules, wheelchair regulations, referee guidance, and competition formats.

Differences may involve:

• Serving procedures
• Possession limits
• Passing restrictions
• Legal shots
• Spinning violations
• Timeouts
• Match length
• Side changes
• Referee calls
• Ball-off-table procedures

Before hosting a league or practicing for competition, agree on the rules first.

“Everyone knows the rules” is usually spoken five seconds before an argument.

For casual home play, simple house rules work well when all players understand them. For tournament preparation, use the current ITSF rulebook and the correct table configuration.

Garlando Rod Systems Explained

Rod selection affects safety, cabinet width during play, responsiveness, and familiarity.

Garlando commonly offers two major systems.

Garlando sometimes calls going-through rods “solid bars,” although its technical descriptions may also identify them as machine-trued hollow steel rods. In this context, “solid” often refers to the rod passing through the cabinet rather than the material being solid metal throughout.

Telescopic safety rods contain the moving section inside another bar. The opposite end does not project outward, reducing the chance of strikes to a child’s face or eyes.

Families, schools, and public spaces should treat rod safety as a primary buying factor.

Competitive adults may prioritize the format used in their local clubs. Neither system is universally correct.

Garlando Balls and Accessories

A foosball ball is not a minor accessory.

Its diameter, mass, surface texture, and material affect grip, speed, pinning, passing, and rebound behavior.

Garlando identifies several ball types:

Standard Balls

The company’s standard polypropylene balls are lighter and intended mainly for amateur play.

Garlando lists them at approximately 33 mm in diameter and 17 grams in weight.

Speed Control Ball

The Speed Control ball has a slightly rough surface designed to balance speed with control.

Garlando identifies it as an ITSF-authorized competition ball, measuring approximately 35 mm and weighing 20 grams.

Speed Control Plus

Current competition-oriented models may include Speed Control Plus balls.

The Number 1, for example, comes with three Speed Control Plus balls as part of its tournament configuration.

Other Garlando accessories include:

• Waterproof protection covers
• Replacement rods
• Roller bearings
• Telescopic-rod kits
• Leg leveller kits
• Replacement balls
• Score counters
• Original hardware
• Garlando Slidy silicone spray

When replacing parts, match the exact model and production version.

A bearing that looks nearly identical may have different tolerances. A replacement ball with the wrong surface can change the entire playing feel.

Garlando Foosball Table Instructions and Assembly

Most full-size Garlando tables arrive partially assembled.

The cabinet may be complete, while the buyer installs legs, rods, bearings, feet, or accessories. The exact process varies by model.

Garlando maintains an official download area containing instructions and assembly documents for home and coin-operated equipment.

Before assembly:

1. Confirm the exact model and version.
2. Separate rods by player formation.
3. Identify going-through or telescopic components.
4. Protect the cabinet while it rests on its side.
5. Keep screws, bearings, and small parts away from children.
6. Install levellers before attaching legs when the manual recommends it.
7. Tighten hardware evenly rather than fully tightening one side first.
8. Check stability before allowing play.

Garlando recommends adult assembly and warns that unattached small components may present swallowing or inhalation risks. The company also advises verifying table stability after installing adjustable feet.

Do not rely on a random video showing a similar cabinet.

Use the original Garlando assembly guide or model-specific parts diagram. Small differences in bearings, retainers, telescopic sections, and player orientation can matter.

Garlando Maintenance Guidelines

Maintenance should preserve smooth movement without introducing substances that trap dirt.

That distinction is especially important for the bearings.

Clean the Cabinet and Playfield Carefully

For routine cleaning, Garlando recommends a damp cloth.

For deeper cleaning, use a household cleaner without wax or abrasives. Avoid ammonia-based cleaners, acetone, gasoline, aggressive solvents, and abrasive compounds. Do not flood the cabinet or playfield.

Glass-playfield models require extra care because moisture can affect material beneath the glass.

Do Not Grease the Bearings

Garlando states that its roller bearings do not normally require lubrication.

For smoother movement or corrosion protection, the company recommends a suitable non-oily silicone spray on the rods, including its Slidy product.

Avoid vegetable grease, heavy oil, and sticky lubricants.

These products can attract dust and clog the bearing system.

Clean Before Applying Silicone

Wipe dust, salt, and grime from the rods before spraying them.

Applying silicone over dirt may move contaminants toward the bearing openings rather than removing them.

This step is especially important for Garlando foosball outdoor setups near the coast. Salt exposure can damage chromium plating over time.

Inspect Wear Periodically

Check:

• Rod straightness
• Bearing movement
• Loose leg hardware
• Leveller adjustment
• Goal damage
• Cracked figures
• Cabinet swelling
• Cover condition
• Ball wear

Garlando advises replacing damaged or worn components rather than making unsuitable repairs. A damaged table may become unsafe, particularly around children.

Garlando’s Reputation Among Players

A useful Garlando foosball review should examine the brand’s identity without treating every model as identical.

Garlando is generally associated with sturdy cabinets, responsive rods, recognizable Italian figure design, and a broad range extending from family recreation to official competition. Its long manufacturing history and current ITSF relationship support that reputation.

From a buyer’s perspective, the brand’s strongest qualities include:

• A long history of specialized manufacturing
• Multiple configurations for different environments
• Replacement parts and official documentation
• Outdoor-specific engineering
• Child-friendly telescopic rod options
• Accessible table development
• Genuine competition involvement

The main limitations are equally important:

• Model experiences vary significantly.
• Italian-style play may feel unfamiliar.
• Weatherproof models still need care.
• Heavy cabinets can be difficult to move.
• Competition approval applies only to specific configurations.
• A local club may use another manufacturer’s table.
• Model names do not explain every technical difference.

Readers searching for Garlando foosball table reviews should pay close attention to the reviewer’s ball, rod type, playfield, and playing background.

A player reviewing a Garlando after years on Tornado may focus on adjustment differences. An Italian-style player may interpret those same traits very differently.

Table preference is partly mechanical and partly learned.

Common Misunderstandings About Garlando

Garlando’s large catalog creates several recurring buyer misconceptions.

“Every Garlando Plays the Same”

It does not.

A G-500, enclosed Class model, Weatherproof version, foldable design, and ITSF tournament table can differ in weight, playfield, bearings, goals, rods, and ball behavior.

“Weatherproof Means It Can Stay Exposed Forever”

Outdoor models use more resistant materials, but Garlando still recommends a secured cover, cleaning, rod protection, and shelter during prolonged snow.

“All Models Use Telescopic Rods”

Some include them as standard. Others offer them as an option.

Check the technical sheet and regional configuration before ordering.

“Every Garlando Is a Professional Tournament Table”

Garlando produces professional equipment, but it also produces family, semi-professional, foldable, commercial, and outdoor products.

Specific models such as Number 1 and Pro Champion carry competition-related positioning.

“The Same Rules Apply Everywhere”

Casual FICB-inspired play, Italian on-the-fly formats, house rules, and ITSF matchplay are not identical.

Agree on the rule set before the first serve.

“All Garlando Balls Feel Similar”

Standard, Speed Control, and Speed Control Plus balls serve different playing purposes.

Ball weight and surface texture can noticeably change control.

Is Garlando Considered a Professional Foosball Brand?

Yes, Garlando can accurately be described as a professional foosball brand.

However, that description applies to the company’s capabilities and competition involvement, not to every product it manufactures.

Garlando has produced official tournament equipment, works with organized table soccer, and is currently listed among ITSF official table partners. Its Number 1 is officially approved for international competition, while Pro Champion is positioned for professional training and Pro Tour use.

At the same time, Garlando also serves:

• Casual families
• Children
• Schools
• Community centers
• Outdoor venues
• Commercial operators
• Wheelchair users

That diversity is a strength, but it makes model research essential.

The best Garlando foosball table is not automatically the most advanced one. It is the configuration that matches the buyer’s players, room, climate, safety requirements, and preferred rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Garlando an Italian foosball brand?

Yes. Garlando is an Italian company officially established in 1954. Its history grew from a family carpentry workshop and early large-scale production in the Alessandria area of Italy. The company currently operates from Pozzolo Formigaro.

Where are Garlando foosball tables manufactured?

Garlando identifies its products with Italian manufacturing, craftsmanship, technology, and Made in Italy design. Its company and ITSF profiles list its base in Pozzolo Formigaro, Italy. Buyers should still check regional product documentation because configurations and distribution arrangements may vary.

What playing style is associated with Garlando?

Garlando is strongly associated with fast Italian-style play, particularly the “on the fly” format. The company also explains that its equipment can support passage-based play, which allows more deliberate passing and ball control.

Does Garlando make ITSF-approved tables?

Yes. Garlando’s Number 1 is officially approved for international ITSF tournaments. The Pro Champion is presented as an official ITSF training and Pro Tour model. ITSF also lists Garlando among its official table partners.

What is the difference between Garlando solid and telescopic rods?

Going-through rods extend from the opposite side of the cabinet during movement. Telescopic rods slide inside an outer section and do not protrude, reducing the risk of facial or eye injuries. Garlando may use “solid” to describe the going-through format even when the rod construction itself is hollow steel.

Are Garlando outdoor tables completely waterproof?

They are designed with weather-resistant materials, but they should not be treated as maintenance-free. Garlando recommends covering outdoor tables, cleaning them regularly, protecting rods, and avoiding prolonged snow exposure.

What ball is used on Garlando competition tables?

The answer depends on the model and event. Garlando’s Speed Control ball has been authorized for international competition, while current tournament-oriented equipment such as Number 1 includes Speed Control Plus balls. Check the event rules and current table specification before practicing.

Where can I find Garlando foosball table instructions?

Garlando provides official manuals, assembly documents, technical sheets, and rod instructions through its website’s download area. Use the exact model name because leg, bearing, rod, and accessory installation can differ.

Do Garlando roller bearings need lubrication?

Garlando says its roller bearings normally require no lubrication. A non-oily silicone spray may be used on clean rods to improve glide and protect against moisture. Avoid grease because it can attract dirt and clog the bearings.

What rules are commonly used on Garlando tables?

Casual owners may use Garlando’s simplified FICB-based rules. Competitive players normally follow the current rules specified by their tournament organizer, often ITSF Standard Matchplay Rules or another recognized format.

Final Thoughts on the Garlando Brand

Garlando’s identity comes from more than a familiar logo on a cabinet.

The company has woodworking roots, decades of manufacturing experience, outdoor engineering, accessible designs, commercial equipment, and legitimate competition involvement.

Its recurring technical features include 16 mm chromium-plated rods, directly molded figures, roller-bearing systems, adjustable levellers, reinforced goals, sanded-glass playfields, and specialized Weatherproof construction.

Still, buyers should avoid treating Garlando as one fixed experience.

Rod type, ball choice, playfield texture, cabinet construction, safety configuration, and intended rules all matter. A family model should not be judged by tournament standards, and an ITSF table should not be selected merely because it carries the most prestigious label.

Foosball Junkie’s central takeaway is this:

Buy the Garlando configuration that fits your actual environment, not the one with the longest feature list.

A strong brand narrows the search. Careful model research finishes it.

Official Resources and Further Reading

• Garlando official website
• Garlando company history
• Garlando instructions and assembly downloads
• Garlando simplified playing rules
• International Table Soccer Federation rules
• ITSF official table partners