The vertical large-deflection and stability behaviour of spherical inflatables subjected to ring loads concentric around the apex is analysed. Two kinds of loads, those in which the ring is attached to the membrane and a second type in which sliding of the ring relative to the membrane is permitted, are treated. A number of new features, including contact between portions of the membrane inside and outside the ring, wrinkling both within and outside the ring load, and the possibility of the load sliding relative to the membrane, are examined and their effect on the overall behaviour of the structure evaluated. The results are compared, where approriate, with those for the concentrated and rigid plate loads.