WOOP!, a company specialising in indoor leisure and entertainment parks, headquartered in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is preparing to expand its business model across Europe. Austria and Germany have been identified as the primary target markets. CC Real will provide comprehensive and exclusive consultancy to WOOP! during this expansion phase. This support includes evaluating suitable cities, properties, and local cooperation partners for the development of new entertainment sites. The existing collaboration was already established through a joint project at Center West Graz, where WOOP! will open its first operational site outside Slovenia in October 2025.
WOOP! currently operates five sites in Slovenia and Austria. These encompass a total area of over 20,000 square metres and attract more than 800,000 visitors annually. The concept integrates diverse leisure activities such as trampoline jumping, e-karting, bowling, escape rooms, laser tag, glow golf, and fun walls, as well as interactive games. Additionally, gastronomic and event concepts are implemented. The offering targets a wide spectrum of customer groups, including families, children, teenagers, and young adults in the B2C segment, as well as schools and businesses in the B2B sector.
Sorin Scurtu, Executive Director Leasing at CC Real, commented on the significance of the cooperation. He emphasised that the added value of a high-performing entertainment concept and a competent operator for a retail location was immediately apparent in Graz. The next step is to transfer the concept to the appropriate markets and suitable locations. CC Real possesses over twenty years of expertise in the European retail property market and is familiar with the relevant owners, locations, and property requirements. These factors are crucial for the success of WOOP!'s planned expansion.
Requirements profile for new locations
For the realisation of new locations, WOOP! prefers spaces between 6,000 and 10,000 square metres. The preferred location is within or in the immediate vicinity of large commercial agglomerations, shopping centres, or retail parks. Key criteria include an extensive catchment area, optimal accessibility by both private and public transport, high visibility of the property, and sufficient parking capacities. An indicator for an adequate catchment area mentioned is a location that reaches approximately one million people within a 60-minute drive.
Samo Habič, founder of WOOP!, explained the strategic direction of the expansion. The concept was developed in Slovenia, and Graz marked the first step beyond the domestic market. Austria and Germany represent the next logical markets for the company. The crucial task now is to identify suitable spaces at the correct locations. He highlighted that CC Real knows these markets very well and understands the specific requirements of the WOOP! concept from both a property and owner perspective.
The role of Leisure in modern retail
CC Real also views this partnership as an expression of a long-term strategic approach. Leisure, entertainment, and gastronomy concepts are becoming increasingly important in the repositioning and further development of shopping centres and retail locations. In several centres developed or managed by CC Real, such uses already account for up to 30 percent of the total area.
Sorin Scurtu further elaborated that today's shopping centres no longer primarily compete for consumer spending but for people's time. Visitors seek places where they find a reason to stay longer and return. Strong leisure concepts can serve as footfall anchors in this regard. From this perspective, CC Real sees considerable potential for WOOP! across Europe. The planned expansion follows the recent acquisition of a majority stake in WOOP! by Advance Capital Partners (ACP). Through the new shareholder, WOOP! intends to significantly accelerate its growth in Europe.
