Airsoft is a modern combat sport or recreational hobby in which participants eliminate opponents by hitting each other with spherical airsoft pellets, launched from airsoft guns. Participants typically employ the use of varying types of weapons designed as replicas of real firearms, tactical gear, and accessories used by modern military and police organizations.

In the UK the Violent Crime Reduction Bill came into force on October 1st 2007. The sport was given special dispensation, however, airsoft guns can now only be purchased by those belonging to a registered airsoft site. All members are then placed on a government database. Retailers must also prove that they are registered to supply such guns. Individuals can no longer import the guns from abroad meaning that the cheaper Chinese alternatives can only be bought from UK based shops.

Airsoft has its roots in late-1970s Japan where firearms were difficult or impossible to obtain due to local laws and people sought a legal alternative to owning actual firearms. The vast majority of airsoft guns, accessories, and after market upgrade parts are also manufactured in East Asian regions such as Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.Many new, more affordable, Chinese guns are dominating the airsoft market. They are competing against more reliable established companies like G&G, Classic Army, ICS, and Tokyo Marui.