How much does pickup cost in New York?

Games in open parks are often free. Games on permitted fields usually charge $5 to $15 per player, and indoor volleyball and basketball open play commonly runs $13 to $26 per person, depending on the gym.

Do I need a permit for an NYC Parks field?

To guarantee a field at a set time, adult groups need an NYC Parks athletic permit, which is charged by the hour. NYC Parks doesn't permit school fields or indoor basketball courts; those go through the school or a private venue.

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 $150 for the session and you need 12 to play, charge $13.

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.

Running pickup games in New York

New York has more players than courts, and court time is expensive. The organizers who keep a weekly game going book the space, charge enough to cover it, and get paid before anyone walks in. Here's how to do that without fronting the money yourself.

Where NYC pickup games happen

Open parks and courts. Free, but first come, first served. Fine for casual games, but they can't promise you a spot at 7pm on a Wednesday.
Permitted NYC Parks fields. An adult athletic permit gets you a field at a set time. You pay for it whether 8 or 22 people turn up.
School gyms and private facilities. This is where most indoor volleyball, basketball and futsal happens. It's the most reliable option and the most expensive per hour.

What courts and fields cost

NYC Parks' adult fee schedule (in effect since November 2024) lists synthetic turf at $41 an hour for a large or full field and $28 an hour for a multipurpose field, plus $15 an hour for lights. Indoor space costs more: private gyms in Queens can run $130 to $220 an hour for a full court. 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:

Session cost	Minimum players	Charge each
$112 (full turf field, 2 hrs with lights)	14	$8
$150 (school or rec gym, 2 hrs)	12	$13
$300 (private gym, 2 hrs)	16	$19

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

The hard part: collecting the money

At NYC 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 New York?: Games in open parks are often free. Games on permitted fields usually charge $5 to $15 per player, and indoor volleyball and basketball open play commonly runs $13 to $26 per person, depending on the gym.
Do I need a permit for an NYC Parks field?: To guarantee a field at a set time, adult groups need an NYC Parks athletic permit, which is charged by the hour. NYC Parks doesn't permit school fields or indoor basketball courts; those go through the school or a private venue.
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 $150 for the session and you need 12 to play, charge $13.
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.

Running a game in New York this week?

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

Create your game

Field rates are from the NYC Parks athletic permit fee schedule; gym and open-play prices are typical published rates. All are a guide only. Check with your venue before you book.