Operation: Market Garden is a WWII themed paintball game produced by Mad Ivan’s Paintball Scenarios of Fort Worth, TX. In it’s 8th year of production, the event has been steadily growing in popularity amongst those “in the know” in the local paintball scene. Attendance for the 2011 event is expected to exceed more than 250 players on the field.

What to Expect at Operation: Market Garden, 2011

“All is peaceful in the sleeping Netherlands city of Arnhem. The only hint of impending danger is the sound of a German Patrol Boat scouting for Allied forces on the nearby Rhine River. At 09:00 hours on September 3rd, the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Infantry Divisions parachute in…”
- Amber Hunter, Associated Content

The German forces of the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Corps have occupied the Netherlands city of Arnhem in response to intelligence warning of an impending Allied attack. At 09:00 hrs on September 3rd, Operation: Market Garden begins, and the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Infantry Divisions parachute in to find Arnhem swarming with German troops.

After a short cease-fire for dinner, players are called back onto the field for a brief night game. The night game is specifically designed to be an advanced level challenge, testing the skill and strategy of players to the max. Those that participate should expect to go toe-to-toe with the best players on the field. All lights are welcome. Night visions goggles are welcome. After the night game, players are invited to relax around the campfire at HQ2 (weather permitting) and swap stories of the battles won that day.

Day 2 of Operation: Market Garden opens with the historic XXX Corps push down Highway 69, also known as Hell’s Highway. Germans battle to maintain control of Highway 69 while Allied troops try to protect their tanks and see them to their destination.

Operation: Market Garden Event Specifics

Operation: Market Garden has been traditionally held on Labor Day Weekend for the past several years. This years game will be held on Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd and 4th, with many players planning to gather on the evening of Friday, September 2nd, for a meet and greet. Scheduled game start is at 09:00 hrs.

Admission for the weekend is $75.00 day-of the game, or players can register early either online or at the field for $65.00. Players that register early will be gifted a commemorative Operation: Market Garden, 2010 t-shirt upon check-in Saturday morning. Registration includes CO2 / Air and basic camping. Discounted admission is available for players that prefer to play only one day of this two day event. Feel free to download and print a copy of Mad Ivan’s Paint Scenario Rules for use with this game.

Paint for the event is ‘field paint only’ and not included in the price of registration! Though most players will use at least a single case of paint over the course of this day-two event, players are welcome to share a case with a friend to reduce expenses if needed.