Should I make players pay before the game?

Yes, if you're renting a field. People who have paid are far more likely to show up, and you're not covering the field out of pocket. Pair it with a rule that everyone is refunded if the game doesn't reach its minimum.

How do I handle someone who cancels?

Pick a cutoff, such as 24 hours before kickoff. Before it, give a full refund. After it, refund only if someone from the waitlist takes the spot. Post the rule once so nobody argues later.

Is it OK to charge more than the field costs?

A small cushion for balls, pinnies, and light weeks is normal. Be upfront with players about what the money covers.

What does Pitchin cost?

Nothing for organizers. Players pay a service fee on top of your price ($1 on games under $15, $2 at $15 and up), shown as one all-in price, and you get your full price per player.

How to collect money for pickup soccer games

If you run a pickup game on a rented field, you've probably paid for it yourself and hoped enough people would pay you back. Here are the common ways to collect, what each one costs you, and the rules that keep a weekly game from losing money.

Four ways to collect

Cash at the field

Good: Easy, no fees.

Watch out: You've already paid for the field before anyone shows up. People forget cash, and no-shows cost you.

Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal requests

Good: Everyone has them, and the money lands fast.

Watch out: You track who paid by hand, chase people every week, and send refunds one by one when a game is cancelled.

Season or monthly dues

Good: One payment, predictable money.

Watch out: It's a hard sell for drop-in players, and it doesn't fit games where the lineup changes each week.

A prepaid sign-up link

Good: Players pay when they claim a spot, so the list is the list of people who paid. Refunds and the waitlist can run themselves.

Watch out: Players pay a small service fee, and you have to share a link instead of just saying 'be there'.

Three rules that make any method work

A minimum and a deadline. For example: "We need 10 paid by Wednesday 7pm or the game is off and everyone is refunded." Players commit sooner when they know the game might not happen.
Paid means in. A spot is held by paying, not by saying "in" in the chat. Then the list is accurate, and you know whether to keep the field.
A cancellation cutoff. Full refund before it. After it, refund only if someone else takes the spot. A waitlist makes this painless.

Pricing so you don't lose money

Divide the field cost by your minimum players, not your maximum. An $80 field with a 10-player minimum is $8 each. If 14 people show up, the extra covers next week's ball or a rainy week.

Doing it all from one link

Pitchin was built for exactly this. You create the game with a price, maximum, minimum and deadline, then post the link in your group chat. Players pay to grab a spot, a waitlist fills any drop-outs, and if the game doesn't reach the minimum by the deadline, everyone is refunded automatically. See how payments and refunds work.

Questions

Should I make players pay before the game?: Yes, if you're renting a field. People who have paid are far more likely to show up, and you're not covering the field out of pocket. Pair it with a rule that everyone is refunded if the game doesn't reach its minimum.
How do I handle someone who cancels?: Pick a cutoff, such as 24 hours before kickoff. Before it, give a full refund. After it, refund only if someone from the waitlist takes the spot. Post the rule once so nobody argues later.
Is it OK to charge more than the field costs?: A small cushion for balls, pinnies, and light weeks is normal. Be upfront with players about what the money covers.
What does Pitchin cost?: Nothing for organizers. Players pay a service fee on top of your price ($1 on games under $15, $2 at $15 and up), shown as one all-in price, and you get your full price per player.

Run your next game on Pitchin

Free for organizers. Players pay a $1 to $2 service fee, and you keep your full price.

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