Running pickup games in Chicago

From November to April, Chicago pickup moves indoors, and indoor space is booked by the hour. The organizers who keep a weekly game going through the winter book the court, charge enough to cover it, and get paid before anyone walks in. Here's how to do that without fronting the money yourself.

Where Chicago pickup games happen

• Park courts and lakefront fields. Free and great from May to September, but first come, first served, and not an option in January.
• Permitted Park District fields and fieldhouses. A permit gets you exclusive use at a set time. You pay for it whether 8 or 22 people turn up.
• Private gyms and indoor turf. This is where most winter volleyball, basketball and futsal happens. It's the most reliable option and the most expensive per hour.

What courts and fields cost

Private gym venues in Chicago typically list at $140 to $200 an hour. Exclusive use of a Park District turf field has been reported at around $150 an hour. Indoor volleyball open gyms in the city commonly charge players $15 to $20 a session. Rates change, so confirm with the venue when you book.

What to charge per player

Base your price on your minimum player count, so the space is covered even on a light week:

Anything above the minimum is a cushion. It covers a ball, a deposit, or the snowy week only nine people come.

The hard part: collecting the money

At Chicago gym prices, one bad week can cost an organizer a hundred dollars or more. Most end up paying the venue themselves, then chasing Venmo requests while a few people say "in" in the group chat and never show. The fix is to have players pay when they claim a spot, with a clear rule for what happens if the game doesn't fill.

Our guide on splitting court rental costs walks through the math, including deposits and no-shows.

How Pitchin handles it

• You create the game: time, venue, price, maximum and minimum players, and a deadline.
• You post one link in your WhatsApp, GroupMe or iMessage chat. Players pay to grab a spot. They don't need an app or an account.
• When it's full, a waitlist takes over. If someone drops out, the next person is moved in and charged automatically.
• If you're under your minimum at the deadline, the game is cancelled and everyone is refunded, so you can release the court in time.
• You get your full price per player, paid out to your bank through Stripe.

Questions

How much does pickup cost in Chicago?

Summer park games are often free. Indoor volleyball open gyms commonly charge $15 to $20 per person, and organized indoor soccer or basketball runs usually land in the same range once the court rental is split.

Can I rent a Chicago Park District field or gym?

Yes. The Park District issues permits for exclusive use of fields and facilities, charged by the hour or in blocks. Rates vary by park, so ask the permits office or the fieldhouse for the current rate before you set your price.

What should I charge per player?

Divide the total court or field cost by your minimum number of players, not your maximum, then round up. If a gym costs $350 for two hours and you need 16 to play, charge $22.

What if not enough people sign up?

Set a minimum and a deadline, such as 12 paid players 24 hours before the game. With Pitchin, if the minimum isn't reached, the game is cancelled and everyone is refunded automatically.

Gym rates are typical published listings, the turf figure is a reported Park District permit rate, and open-gym prices are from published sessions. All are a guide only. Check with your venue before you book.