HR playbook: use a Football Tournament fantasy league to boost engagement
January 28, 2026
Why a football predictor works for HR
A shared game gives people a reason to talk. It cuts across teams. It helps new starters feel part of the group. It also adds fun without big cost.
On OfficeFantasy, this is Fantasy Football (is Prediction Game in English). It means predicting match results. It is not about picking players for a squad.
What you will run (simple, clear, fair)
Run a company-wide prediction competition for the major international football event in 2026.
People score points when they predict:
Win, draw, or loss
Exact score (optional)
Knockout winners (later rounds)
This style works well because it stays simple. It also suits every level of football knowledge.
If you want a quick explainer of how knockout brackets work, see this guide on a single-elimination tournament: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single-elimination_tournament
The HR goals it supports
Use the game to support:
HR engagement: more cross-team chat
Culture building: shared rituals and friendly rivalries
Workplace fun: low-pressure, opt-in play
Keep it light. Keep it friendly. Make it easy to join.
A 10-day launch plan (copy this)
Day 1–2: Pick the format
Decide:
Who can join (all staff, or staff plus clients)
Team-based or solo leaderboard (or both)
Scoring rules (basic is best)
Prize types (see below)
Day 3–4: Set your rules
Write a short rules page:
Be kind. No abuse.
No betting talk in work channels.
One account per person.
Deadlines are strict.
Keep rules under 200 words.
Day 5–6: Build your comms
Send one short email and one Teams/Slack post.
Email subject ideas
“Join our 2026 Football Predictor (5 mins to enter)”
“New workplace game: predict the big 2026 matches”
Message copy (paste-ready)
- “We’re running a Football Predictor for the 2026 international tournament. Predict results, earn points, and climb the table. It’s free to join and takes minutes.”
Day 7: Create hype
Add:
A short leaderboard tease
A “department derby” challenge
A reminder of the first deadline
Day 8–10: Open entries and support
Give people:
A clear join link (internal)
A help post with screenshots
One reminder 24 hours before the first match
Prize ideas that feel good (and stay compliant)
Keep prizes small and fair. Focus on recognition.
Good options:
£20–£50 voucher
Extra long lunch (30–60 minutes)
Charity donation in the winner’s name
Trophy that moves each week
“Bragging rights” badge in Teams/Slack
Add mini-prizes too:
Best week
Biggest climber
Best underdog pick
This keeps more people in the game.
Make it work for hybrid teams
Hybrid needs structure. Use simple rituals:
A Monday “top 10” post
A Friday “big matches” post
One chat channel for banter (moderated)
Keep posts short. Use a single image for the top table if you can.
How to drive participation (without nagging)
Use smart prompts:
Ask leaders to join early
Put people in teams by department
Run a “new joiners” mini-table
Celebrate effort, not just winners
Also: make it opt-in. No one should feel forced.
Track results HR can report
Pick 3–5 simple measures:
Join rate (% of staff who entered)
Active rate (% who predict each round)
Posts or reactions in the game channel
Cross-team participation (teams with most joiners)
Quick pulse check: “Did you enjoy it?” (1–5)
Share a one-page wrap at the end. It shows value fast.
A clean way to start
If you want a low-effort win for summer 2026, run Fantasy Football (is Prediction Game in English) as a workplace predictor. Keep rules simple. Post the table often. Hand out small prizes. You will get more chat, more links across teams, and a lighter mood at work.