Open Goaaal vs Goalrilla: Which Premium Soccer Goal Is Best for Your Backyard?

If you're investing in a serious backyard soccer setup — not a flimsy pop-up goal, but a real steel-frame training system — you've probably narrowed it down to a few premium brands. Open Goaaal and Goalrilla are two of the best options on the market. Both build heavy-duty products designed to stay in your yard year-round. Both target families willing to invest in quality over convenience.

But they solve the problem differently. Open Goaaal offers a patented 3-in-1 system: goal, rebounder, and backstop all integrated into one structure. Goalrilla's Striker Trainer is a 2-in-1 dual-rebound goal that gives you two training surfaces. The key difference? Open Goaaal catches everything with its backstop. Goalrilla doesn't have one.

This guide compares both systems head-to-head — features, build quality, pricing, and training versatility — so you can make the right choice for your family.

Quick Comparison at a Glance

What Is Goalrilla?

Goalrilla is a premium backyard sports brand owned by Escalade Sports. If you recognize the name, it's probably from their basketball hoops — Goalrilla is one of the most trusted names in residential basketball equipment. They've expanded into soccer with a smaller but quality product line.

Their soccer lineup includes three main product categories:

Goalrilla Striker Trainer (~$350-400): This is their flagship soccer product and the most direct competitor to Open Goaaal. The Striker is a steel-frame goal with a dual-sided rebounder design — one side functions as a traditional goal net, the other as a skills rebounder for passing, heading, and trapping drills. It measures 7'1" wide by 5'2" high, weighs approximately 50 lbs, and is built with 1.5" diameter steel tubing, DuPont powder-coat finish, welded corners, and zinc-plated hardware. It's a serious piece of equipment.

Goalrilla All Season Multi-Sport Rebounder (~$200-250): A 5'x5' adjustable rebounder designed for seven or more sports — soccer, lacrosse, baseball, football, basketball, volleyball, and golf. It has seven position settings for different return angles. This is Goalrilla's answer for multi-sport families.

Goalrilla Gamemaker Inflatables (~$150-500): A unique inflatable goal line using BaroForce technology. Available in 4'x6', 6'x8', 6'x12', and futsal sizes. They set up in 90 seconds and are genuinely portable. This is something neither Open Goaaal nor most competitors offer.

Goalrilla's strength is brand trust. Families who already own a Goalrilla basketball hoop — and there are a lot of them — are natural crossover buyers for their soccer equipment. The quality carries over: steel construction, premium finishes, and a parent company (Escalade Sports) with the resources to back their products.

What Is Open Goaaal?

Open Goaaal is a patented 3-in-1 soccer training system that combines a goal, rebounder, and backstop into one integrated structure. The backstop wraps around the goal, catching every shot — on target, off target, wide, high — and returning the ball to the player. No balls leave the practice area.

Open Goaaal is purpose-built for soccer. It's all they make, and they've refined the design over 149,000+ units sold. The system comes in five sizes:

• Triple Function Rebounder (4'x6'): $189.99 — compact entry-level 3-in-1
• Junior (8'x4.5'): $299.99 — ages 6-10, 16'x8' backstop
• Standard (9'x5'): $399.99 — most popular, ages 8-14, 22'x10' backstop
• Large (16'x7'): $499.99 — teens and adults, 29'x10' backstop
• Regulation: $599.99 — professional size with full backstop

Every model uses 1.5mm steel poles with heavy-duty netting and a bungee attachment system. All sizes include free corner targets and free shipping, backed by a 1-year warranty with US-based support. Open Goaaal has 17,783+ customer reviews at a 4.53-star average and is available at Dick's Sporting Goods, Best Buy, and Amazon.

Head-to-Head: Premium vs Premium

The 3-in-1 vs 2-in-1 Difference

This is the fundamental distinction between these two products. Goalrilla's Striker Trainer is a 2-in-1 system: a goal on one side and a skills rebounder on the other. You flip between training modes — shoot on the goal side, then turn to the rebounder side for passing, heading, and trapping drills. Two distinct training surfaces in one unit.

Open Goaaal is a 3-in-1 system: goal, rebounder, and backstop all working simultaneously. You shoot at the goal, and the backstop behind and around it catches everything and returns the ball. There's no flipping between modes — the entire structure serves all three functions at once.

The key difference comes down to training philosophy. Goalrilla's dual-sided design gives you two focused training surfaces for structured drills. Open Goaaal gives you a complete enclosed training environment where the ball never leaves — better for uninterrupted, free-flowing practice sessions where shooting and receiving happen continuously.

The Backstop Advantage

This is the biggest differentiator between these two premium products, and for most backyard families, it's the tiebreaker.

The Goalrilla Striker does not have a backstop. Shots that miss the goal or rebounder fly past into your yard, fence, or neighbor's property. For young players still developing accuracy — which is most of them — that means a lot of ball chasing.

Open Goaaal's backstop catches everything. Every missed shot, every wild kick, every ball that goes wide or high comes right back. Practice continues without interruption. This matters especially for parents: kids can practice independently without an adult standing behind the goal retrieving balls, and there's no risk of property damage from errant shots.

Goalrilla doesn't sell a standalone backstop either, so there's no easy add-on solution. If ball containment is important to you — and for most backyard setups it is — this is a significant factor in Open Goaaal's favor.

Size Options

Goalrilla's Striker comes in one size: 7'1" x 5'2". Take it or leave it. If that size works for your yard and your player's age, great. If your kid is 6 years old and needs something smaller, or you're a teenager who wants near-regulation dimensions, the Striker doesn't scale.

Open Goaaal offers five sizes, covering every age group and yard size:

• Triple Function Rebounder (4'x6') for small spaces and younger kids
• Junior (8'x4.5') for ages 6-10 and smaller yards
• Standard (9'x5') for ages 8-14 — the most popular size
• Large (16'x7') for teens and adults who want near-regulation play
• Regulation for serious training at professional dimensions

Both the Standard and Large models are bigger than the Goalrilla Striker. And the Triple Function Rebounder and Junior provide smaller options the Striker can't match. Open Goaaal wins on size flexibility — there's an option for every scenario.

Build Quality Comparison

This is where both brands genuinely impress, and the comparison is closer than in any other category. Both are premium steel-frame products built for permanent outdoor installation — a clear step above lightweight pop-up goals.

Goalrilla Striker uses 1.5" diameter steel tubing with a DuPont powder-coat finish, welded corners, and zinc-plated hardware. The build quality is excellent. That DuPont finish provides strong weather protection, and the welded construction means fewer failure points.

Open Goaaal uses 1.5mm thick steel poles with heavy-duty netting and a bungee attachment system. The bungee system is designed to distribute stress across the netting, extending its lifespan under repeated impact. The steel construction handles year-round outdoor exposure.

Both products are weather-resistant and designed for permanent installation. Both are significantly more durable than any pop-up or portable goal on the market. Goalrilla's DuPont powder coat is a premium touch; Open Goaaal's bungee attachment system is a smart engineering choice. Call this one a draw — both brands deliver on build quality.

Price Comparison

These two products sit in the same price bracket, which makes the value comparison particularly interesting:

• Goalrilla Striker: approximately $350-400 for the one available size
• Open Goaaal Standard (9'x5'): $399.99 — includes backstop + free corner targets
• Open Goaaal Triple Function Rebounder (4'x6'): $189.99 — cheaper than the Striker

At the comparable level, the price difference is modest — roughly $0-50. But Open Goaaal includes the backstop and free corner targets at that price, while Goalrilla doesn't. If you value the backstop (and most backyard families do), Open Goaaal delivers more for a similar investment.

Open Goaaal also offers a cheaper entry point. The Triple Function Rebounder at $189.99 is nearly half the Striker's price and still delivers the 3-in-1 experience in a compact format. Goalrilla's closest affordable option would be the Gamemaker 4x6 inflatable at ~$150, which is portable but has no rebounder function.

Training Versatility

This is where Goalrilla has a genuine advantage that Open Goaaal can't match.

The Goalrilla All Season Multi-Sport Rebounder (~$200-250) works for seven or more sports: soccer, lacrosse, baseball, football, basketball, volleyball, and golf. If your household plays multiple sports — and many do — one piece of Goalrilla equipment covers all of them. Open Goaaal's main system is soccer-focused, though they do make a dedicated lacrosse goal with integrated backstop using the same 3-in-1 platform — so lacrosse families aren't left out.

Goalrilla also has the Gamemaker inflatable line, which offers something unique: truly portable goals that set up in 90 seconds using BaroForce technology. Available in sizes from 4'x6' to near-regulation 6'x12', these are ideal for travel, indoor facilities, and temporary backyard play. Open Goaaal has no portable or inflatable equivalent.

That said, for soccer-specific training depth, Open Goaaal's 3-in-1 system with backstop provides a more complete single-sport experience. The five size options and integrated backstop give soccer-focused families more functionality than the Striker alone.

Goalrilla wins on multi-sport versatility and portable options. Open Goaaal wins on soccer-specific training depth and completeness.

Who Should Choose Open Goaaal?

• Families where the ball going everywhere is the number one frustration — the backstop is non-negotiable
• Parents who want kids to practice independently without chasing balls or risking property damage
• Players who need size options — from compact 4'x6' to full Regulation
• Anyone who values uninterrupted, continuous practice flow
• Soccer-focused families who don't need multi-sport equipment
• Those who want the best total value at the ~$400 price point (backstop + corner targets included)

Who Should Choose Goalrilla?

• Families who already trust the Goalrilla brand — especially if you own their basketball hoop
• Players who want dual-surface training with a dedicated passing/receiving side
• Multi-sport families who want one rebounder for soccer, lacrosse, baseball, and more
• Anyone who needs a truly portable inflatable goal (Gamemaker line)
• Buyers who prefer a single mid-size option without having to choose between five sizes
• Families building a complete backyard sports zone — Goalrilla basketball hoop + Striker Trainer

Can You Combine Them?

Yes, and this is actually a strong setup for families who are serious about both soccer and other backyard sports. These products complement each other because they serve different purposes:

• Open Goaaal + Goalrilla All Season Rebounder: Use Open Goaaal as the primary soccer training station with full backstop protection. Add the All Season Rebounder for multi-sport drills (lacrosse, baseball, etc.) and supplementary soccer work.
• Open Goaaal + Goalrilla Gamemaker: Open Goaaal stays in the backyard as the permanent setup. Bring a Gamemaker inflatable to away games, travel tournaments, or indoor facilities where you need a portable goal.

If you already have a Goalrilla basketball hoop in the yard, adding an Open Goaaal next to it gives your kids a complete backyard sports training facility — basketball, soccer, and multi-sport rebounder work all in one space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Open Goaaal better than Goalrilla for soccer?

For a dedicated backyard soccer training station, Open Goaaal offers more: 3-in-1 functionality with a backstop that catches everything, five size options, and free corner targets. Goalrilla's Striker Trainer is a quality 2-in-1 goal and rebounder without a backstop. For multi-sport use, Goalrilla's All Season Rebounder is more versatile across seven-plus sports.

Does the Goalrilla Striker have a backstop?

No. The Goalrilla Striker is a dual-rebound goal trainer — it has a goal side and a skills rebounder side, but no backstop net to catch missed shots. Goalrilla does not sell a standalone backstop either. Only Open Goaaal offers an integrated backstop in every model.

How does Open Goaaal compare in size to the Goalrilla Striker?

The Goalrilla Striker comes in one size: 7'1" x 5'2". Open Goaaal offers five sizes: Triple Function Rebounder (4'x6'), Junior (8'x4.5'), Standard (9'x5'), Large (16'x7'), and Regulation (full size). The Standard and Large are both bigger than the Striker, while the Triple Function Rebounder and Junior provide smaller options.

Which is more durable, Open Goaaal or Goalrilla?

Both are premium steel-frame products built for permanent outdoor use. Goalrilla uses 1.5" steel tubing with DuPont powder coating and welded corners. Open Goaaal uses 1.5mm steel poles with heavy-duty netting and bungee attachment. Both are weather-resistant and significantly more durable than portable or pop-up goals. Durability is comparable between the two.

Is the Goalrilla Gamemaker worth it?

The Gamemaker is a unique inflatable goal using BaroForce technology that sets up in 90 seconds. It's genuinely portable and ideal for travel, indoor facilities, and temporary play. It's not a rebounder though — it's a goal only. For permanent backyard training with rebounder functionality, the Goalrilla Striker or Open Goaaal are better choices. The Gamemaker serves a different need.

Can Goalrilla rebounders be used for sports other than soccer?

Yes. The Goalrilla All Season Multi-Sport Rebounder is designed for seven-plus sports: soccer, lacrosse, baseball, football, basketball, volleyball, and golf. It has seven adjustable positions for different return angles. Open Goaaal is soccer-specific by design.

Which costs more, Open Goaaal or Goalrilla Striker?

They're closely priced. The Goalrilla Striker is approximately $350-400. The most comparable Open Goaaal model (Standard, 9'x5') is $399.99, which includes the backstop plus free corner targets. Open Goaaal also offers a cheaper entry point — the Triple Function Rebounder at $189.99. When you factor in the included backstop and corner targets, Open Goaaal provides slightly better total value at the comparable price point.

Do I need a backstop with my soccer goal?

If you're training in a backyard near windows, fences, or neighbors — strongly recommended. A backstop catches missed shots and keeps the ball in play, so practice continues without interruption and without property damage risk. Open Goaaal includes an integrated backstop with every model. The Goalrilla Striker does not include a backstop, and Goalrilla doesn't sell a standalone backstop add-on.

The Verdict

Open Goaaal and Goalrilla are both premium products — a clear tier above lightweight pop-up goals and portable trainers. This is a comparison between two serious pieces of equipment, and whichever one you choose, you're getting quality construction built to last.

The backstop is the tiebreaker for most backyard families. Open Goaaal's integrated 3-in-1 system catches every shot, which means uninterrupted practice and zero balls flying into the neighbor's yard. Add five size options and free corner targets, and it delivers the most complete soccer-specific training setup at this price point.

Goalrilla wins for multi-sport families, dual-surface training, and the unique Gamemaker inflatable line. If you already trust Goalrilla from their basketball hoops, their Striker is a natural extension of that quality into soccer. And if your household plays multiple sports, the All Season Rebounder is hard to beat.

Ready to set up your backyard training station? Shop Open Goaaal soccer goals and find the right size for your family. Also see how Open Goaaal compares to QuickPlay and SKLZ.