WhirlyBall Colorado Springs Closes After Nearly a Decade
After just under 10 years in business, the WhirlyBall entertainment center in Colorado Springs has permanently closed its doors. The closure was reported on February 14, 2026, by The Gazette.
Customers calling the Colorado Springs location’s phone number are met with a recorded message from an employee confirming the closure. The message states, “Our last day of service will be Feb. 6. We won’t be able to host your event.”
WhirlyBall is a unique game combining elements of basketball, hockey and lacrosse, played while riding electric bumper cars. The Colorado Springs location, which opened in June 2017, was the fourth center established by the Elias family of Chicago.
The 30,000-square-foot facility was situated in the Rustic Hills Shopping Center, located southeast of the Academy and Palmer Park boulevards. Its closing marks the end of a popular entertainment option for residents and visitors of Colorado Springs.
The game of WhirlyBall itself has a history stretching back to the early 1960s. It was originally invented in Salt Lake City by an automotive shop owner who observed his son using a hockey stick to hit a tin can while riding a golf cart. Adam Elias previously explained to The Gazette that the game initially involved gas-powered bumper cars before evolving to the current indoor, electric version.
The Colorado Springs closure follows a trend of businesses adapting to changing economic conditions and consumer preferences. While the exact reasons for the closure were not detailed in reports, the decision reflects the challenges faced by entertainment venues in a competitive market.
The closing of WhirlyBall leaves a void in the local entertainment landscape. The center had become a destination for birthday parties, corporate events, and casual outings. Its absence will be felt by those who enjoyed the distinctive and active experience it offered.
