How to split court rental costs for a pickup game

Indoor pickup only works if someone books the court, and that person usually pays for it up front. Here's how to set a price that covers the rental every week, including the weeks people flake.

What courts cost

Typical hourly rates for a full court, from a 2026 survey of US gyms:

Big-city private gyms sit at the top of that range. Half courts cost roughly half to two-thirds as much.

The formula

Price per player = total session cost ÷ minimum players, rounded up. A two-hour session at $85 an hour is $170. If you need 12 people for a good game, charge $15 (12 × $15 = $180, with a $10 cushion).

Don't divide by the number of people who say they're coming. Group-chat "in"s aren't payments.

Why no-shows are the real cost

Say a $100 court has 10 people confirmed at $10 each and 3 don't show. Either the 7 who came pay about $14.30 each, or you cover $30. Over a 40-week year, that habit can cost an organizer more than $1,000. The usual fixes:

• Collect before the game, not at the door. People who've paid show up.
• Keep a waitlist, so a dropout's spot goes to someone who will pay for it.
• Set a minimum and a deadline, so a game that won't cover the court is called off in time to release it.

Doing it without the chasing

Pitchin does all three from one link. Players pay to claim a spot, the waitlist moves people in and charges them automatically, and if you're under your minimum at the deadline, everyone is refunded. You keep your full price per player; players pay a $1 service fee on top on games under $15, or $2 at $15 and up. For soccer fields, see our guide on collecting money for pickup games.

Questions

Should I divide the court cost by the maximum or the minimum number of players?

The minimum. If you price for a full court and only two-thirds show up, the gap comes out of your pocket. Pricing on the minimum means the court is paid for on a light week, and a full week leaves a cushion.

What about the venue's deposit?

Many facilities ask for a deposit when you book, often half the rental, and it may not be refundable. Keep part of your cushion from good weeks to cover it, and set your cancellation deadline before the venue's own cancellation cutoff.

Is Venmo good enough?

It works for small, reliable groups. The problem is timing: if people pay at or after the game, no-shows never pay, and you've already paid the gym. Collecting when someone claims a spot fixes that.

What happens if not enough people sign up?

Decide that rule in advance and tell the group, for example 10 paid players 24 hours before. With Pitchin, if the minimum isn't reached by your deadline, the game is cancelled and everyone is refunded automatically.

Court rates are typical published ranges and are a guide only. Check with your venue before you book.