In a garden somewhere in Scotland, a father was doing what football parents across the UK do every weekend — fetching the ball. His son would shoot, the ball would fly over the goal, and off they'd go, hunting it down from flowerbeds, fences, and the neighbour's garden. There had to be a better way.
That frustration became Open Goaaal: the UK's original 3-in-1 garden football goal, rebounder, and backstop net — and the product that went on to appear on one of the BBC's most-watched business programmes.
The Dragon's Den moment
Open Goaaal appeared on BBC Dragon's Den, pitching the concept of a single garden football system that combined a real goal, a rebounder to return missed shots, and a backstop net to catch overshots — all in one integrated frame.
The pitch captured what makes Open Goaaal genuinely different from every other garden football goal on the market: it isn't just a goal. It's a complete training system. Players of any age can use it alone — shooting, practising first touch, heading, and working on technique — without ever needing to chase the ball or have a second person present.
The invention: solving the real problem
The problem Open Goaaal solves is deceptively simple. A standard garden football goal catches shots that go in. But it does nothing about the shots that miss — and in garden football, most shots miss. They go over the top, wide of the posts, into fences, through hedges, over walls. Every missed shot means a pause in play and a ball to retrieve.
Open Goaaal's patented design eliminates this entirely. The rebounder net spans the frame below the crossbar, returning missed ground shots straight back to the player. The full-height backstop net at the rear catches anything that goes high or wide. Nothing leaves the garden. Play never stops.
It sounds simple — because it is. That's exactly what made it so compelling on Dragon's Den, and what has made it the choice of over 10,000 customers and 75,000 families worldwide.
What the judges saw
Dragon's Den investors look for products that solve real problems in ways that are difficult to copy and easy to explain. Open Goaaal ticked every box: a clear problem (ball constantly leaving the garden), a patented solution (integrated goal, rebounder, and backstop in one frame), a defined market (football-playing families across the UK and Europe), and a product people can understand in seconds.
The Dragon's Den appearance gave Open Goaaal the national visibility to match its innovation — and confirmed what the inventor already knew: this wasn't just a good product. It was the right product.
Awards and recognition since Dragon's Den
BBC Dragon's Den was the start, not the finish. Since the programme, Open Goaaal has accumulated a remarkable set of endorsements and accolades:
- ISPO Award 2019: One of the most prestigious awards in the international sporting goods industry, given to products that demonstrate exceptional innovation. Open Goaaal won — validating the product's design and engineering against the best in the world.
- Rio Ferdinand: The former England and Manchester United captain and one of the greatest defenders of his generation uses and endorses Open Goaaal.
- Liverpool FC: One of the world's most famous football clubs has an Open Goaaal at their training facility.
- Lucho Garcia: Renowned football coach and endorsed Open Goaaal as a training tool for players at every level.
- Garden Junkie & multiple UK media: Recognised as the standout garden football goal in buyer's guides across the UK.
The product range today
Open Goaaal is now available in four sizes to suit every garden and every player:
| Model | Goal size (W × H) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 2.4m × 1.4m | Ages 5–9, small gardens |
| Standard | 2.7m × 1.6m | Ages 8–14, medium gardens |
| Large | 4.8m × 2.1m | Ages 10+, larger gardens |
| Regulation | 7.3m × 2.4m | Adults, full-size garden or outdoor space |
All models ship from UK and European warehouses for fast delivery across the UK and EU. Spare parts are available for every component, and the powder-coated steel frame is built to withstand years of outdoor use.
Frequently asked questions
Was Open Goaaal on Dragon's Den?
Yes. Open Goaaal appeared on BBC Dragon's Den, where the founder pitched the concept of the world's first integrated garden football goal, rebounder, and backstop net. The appearance significantly raised the brand's profile in the UK and introduced the product to millions of viewers.
Did Open Goaaal get investment on Dragon's Den?
Open Goaaal appeared on BBC Dragon's Den to present its patented 3-in-1 garden football system. For the full details of what happened during the pitch, you can visit the BBC Dragon's Den programme archive.
Who invented Open Goaaal?
Open Goaaal was invented by a Scottish entrepreneur who wanted to solve the most persistent frustration in garden football: chasing the ball every time a shot went over the goal or wide of the posts. The solution — combining a goal, rebounder, and backstop net in a single patented frame — became Open Goaaal, now sold to over 75,000 families worldwide.
Comparing football goals? See how Open Goaaal compares to FORZA — the UK’s most popular alternative — and find out what makes the 3-in-1 design unique.
