APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – Whether you’re playing at a bar or a game room, the tabletop classic foosball can unite anybody looking for a fun time, which was the case in Appleton on Saturday.
Day three of the 2026 Wisconsin Foosball State Championships brought out plenty of competitive individuals, including a few world champions, looking to earn some cash and have a fun time playing the iconic game.
The competition, held at Mad Apple Billiards, is a four-day tournament with numerous events, from beginners with little experience to experts who have ricocheted goals from any angle imaginable.
One of the many competitors in attendance was Sullivan Rue, a legendary women’s foosball player with five straight Women’s Open Doubles titles and the reigning Women’s Open Champion for Singles and Doubles play. She said it was her first time in Wisconsin.
“There’s a huge player base and they’re super kind,” Rue said. “It’s a good thing for the sport. Everybody’s been so welcoming. I came here and people came up to me and said, ‘Welcome to Wisconsin!'”
Rue said she’s been playing foosball her entire life, and that it’s a bigger deal than many people may realize, adding that anybody can play the sport, which she said makes it especially great.
Sullivan Rue
“I’ve noticed people who come in and have no idea we even had tournaments,” Rue said. “Literally anybody can play, that’s the difference between foosball and other sports—kids can compete with adults, women can compete with traditional men’s events and winning.”
Former world champion Michael Stahl, the Executive Director of Foosball Clubs USA, a nationwide non-profit, said the tournament is special, especially because of the inclusivity.
“I love this tournament, the promoters do a great job with junior events,” Stahl said. “They’re inclusive with women and young people, so it’s a really great and well-run event that’s been intentional from the beginning.”
Through his organization, Stahl goes around the country to schools to encourage the creation of foosball clubs, which he then donates new tables to.
“We donate foosball tables to schools along with skill-building curriculum and a lot of programming for educators to make school a little bit less friction-based and more sociable for young people,” Stahl said.
One of the things Stahl says he loves most about the sport is the combination of socialization with physicality, calling it a social and emotional learning experience, adding that it’s more complex than people may think.
Michael Stahl
“It’s a complex game but can also be so simple and effective in character-building with social/emotional learning,” Stahl said. “Kids get to learn about self-reflection and how to be a good sport; it’s great for young people.”
Stahl spoke about his struggles growing up, but foosball saved his life, and it’s doing a lot for kids everywhere.
“There’s that redemption piece, it gives kids a place where they belong,” Stahl said.
The event kicked off on March 19 and runs until Sunday, March 22. Click here to learn more about Foosball Clubs USA.
