Monetization Strategies for a Sports Facility Booking App

The sports facility booking app market is growing fast. More and more people are looking for an easy way to book sports venues. This trend is especially strong in busy cities. The global sports and fitness app market is expected to reach $14.7 billion by 2026. This shows how much potential there is for apps that help users book sports facilities. 

For example, Playpass, a popular booking platform, made over $2 million in revenue in 2023. OpenPlay, another well-known app, is bringing in an estimated $5 million annually. They are growing quickly and showing the market’s potential.

To make money with a sports facility booking app, you need to try a few different approaches. Subscription models and pay-per-use options can work well. You could also offer premium services like priority bookings or upgrades. In addition, you can look into partnerships with local businesses or offer advertising space. Another option is to use data insights for extra revenue. A mix of these strategies can help your app grow and stay profitable in a competitive market.

Key Market Takeaways for Sports Facility Booking Apps

According to GrandViewResearch, the global sports app market was worth $3.66 billion in 2022. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.9% from 2023 to 2030. This growth follows the broader expansion of the sports facility market. In 2024, it was valued at $136.8 billion and is projected to reach $991.7 billion by 2034. The rise in interest for sports and recreational activities is driving this growth. 

Source: GrandViewResearch

With more people relying on mobile apps for convenience, sports facility booking apps have become essential. These apps help users and venue managers streamline operations and improve the experience.

Sports facility booking apps are growing rapidly thanks to new features and smart partnerships. For example, Omnify Inc. acquired CourtReserve in 2021. This deal improved its booking capabilities and expanded its reach. Pitchbooking also partnered with Soccer 5 USA to provide solutions for small-sided soccer facilities in the U.S. This collaboration improved both efficiency and user experience. 

Apps like Upper Hand and EZFacility offer customized solutions for a variety of sports. Whether it’s booking tennis courts or scheduling golf lessons, these apps make managing resources easier. These partnerships and innovations show the industry’s focus on improving usability and expanding its market presence.

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Why is the Popularity of Sports Facility Booking Apps Increasing?

Sports facility booking apps are becoming more popular because they make it easier for people to stay active. With busy schedules and the need for convenience, people prefer using apps to book sports venues, gyms, or fitness classes. These apps let users check availability in real time and book spaces instantly. They also make managing multiple bookings much simpler.

For businesses, launching a sports facility booking app can be a good way to make money. More and more people are looking for simple ways to book sports activities and facilities. Apps like Playpass earned around $8 million in 2023 by focusing on event management and payments for sports venues. 

Another app called TeamSnap, which offers both team management and facility booking services, also brought in about $10 million last year, showing the potential for strong revenue in this area.

These apps offer great growth opportunities if they include useful features like easy payments, event scheduling, and recommendations. As the sports and fitness industry keeps growing, businesses that invest in these apps can expect long-term success and solid profits.

Most Profitable Monetization Strategies for a Sports Facility Booking App

Here are seven successful monetization strategies for sports facility booking apps that can help them maximize revenue while providing valuable services to users and venue owners:

1. Commission-Based Model

This model generates revenue by taking a percentage of each booking transaction made through the app. The more bookings, the more money the app earns.

How It Works: When a user books a tennis court for $50, the app might take a 10% commission ($5). Alternatively, the venue owners can also be charged a fee for each booking made through the app.

Example

• Playo and BookMySports use this model, earning consistent revenue from thousands of bookings daily.
• Playo reports millions of bookings annually and generates revenue through commissions. BookMySports has also raised $ 5 million in funding and is expanding rapidly across India, indicating a strong revenue model from commissions.
  

As apps scale and attract more users, this model can bring in substantial revenue. With millions of bookings, commission-based apps can generate multi-million-dollar revenues annually.

2. Subscription Model

With a subscription model, users or venue owners pay a recurring fee (monthly or annually) for access to premium features or services, providing stable and predictable revenue.

How It Works: Users can subscribe for early access to popular venues, exclusive discounts, or premium analytics. Venue owners might subscribe for better visibility or management tools.

Example 

• Real Madrid’s mobile service uses a subscription to offer exclusive content and discounts, ensuring steady revenue from its subscribers.
• Real Madrid’s mobile app and services reportedly generate millions annually, although specific subscription revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
  

Subscription models in sports apps have seen significant growth. For example, ClassPass, which incorporates subscriptions for fitness venues, reportedly generated over $10 million in 2021, demonstrating the potential of subscription models in this space.

3. Freemium Model

The freemium model offers basic features for free while charging users for advanced services, enticing a large base of users to join while still monetizing through paid features.

How It Works: Users can book facilities for free but pay for premium features like ad-free experiences, priority booking, or the ability to rent equipment.

Example 

• Playfinder provides basic booking services for free but charges users for advanced search filters and additional premium options.
• Playfinder reportedly generates significant income from its freemium model, with in-app purchases and premium upgrades contributing to its growing revenue. The company raised $3.6 million in funding in 2021 to expand further.
  

In-app purchases under the freemium model have shown consistent growth, with some apps seeing a 13% increase in 2024.

4. Advertising Model

Apps can earn revenue by displaying ads targeted at sports enthusiasts, such as promotions for fitness equipment, local events, or sports gear.

How It Works: The app earns revenue through ad impressions or clicks when users view ads or interact with them.

Example 

• Spyn uses advertising within its app to generate revenue from brands seeking to market to active users.
• Revenue Numbers: Spyn’s advertising revenue can constitute up to 20% of total app revenue for well-established platforms. For instance, Fitbit earned about $60 million in advertising revenue in 2022 from its ecosystem of fitness apps and devices.
  

Advertising can contribute significantly to total revenue, especially in apps with large, engaged user bases. Strava, another fitness app, generates millions annually through ads and brand partnerships.

5. Partnerships and Sponsorships

Partnering with sports brands, equipment suppliers, or local businesses creates new revenue streams through co-branded promotions and sponsorships.

How It Works: Venue or event sponsors (like Nike) pay to be featured in the app, gaining exposure to its user base.

Example 

• Real Madrid partnered with Telecoming to deliver premium fan experiences through their app, without interrupting the user experience with ads.
• Sponsorship deals in sports apps can range from thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on the app’s reach and market.
  

Telecoming’s partnership with Real Madrid is expected to generate significant revenues, potentially in the millions. Partnerships with major brands like Nike or Adidas could bring in substantial sums as well.

6. Premium Listings for Venues

Sports venue owners pay to have their facilities appear at the top of search results or in prominent listings within the app, boosting visibility and increasing bookings.

How It Works: When venue owners pay for premium listings, their facilities show up first when users search for available spaces, potentially leading to more bookings.

Example 

• BookMySports charges venue owners for premium placement in search results, offering them increased visibility.
• BookMySports has grown significantly in India and other markets, with premium listings contributing to its increasing revenue. The platform is expected to generate millions annually, with premium listings as a core revenue source.
  

This model is particularly lucrative in competitive markets, with some apps generating significant income from premium listings, such as Playpass which raised $8 million in funding in 2021.

7. In-App Purchases and Add-Ons

Apps can generate additional revenue by offering users the option to purchase add-ons or enhancements related to their booking, such as equipment rentals, extended booking times, or access to exclusive facilities.

How It Works: Users might book a tennis court for an hour but opt to purchase an additional 30 minutes, or rent sports equipment like rackets or balls directly through the app.

Example 

• Keenan’s Sports Booking allows users to rent sports equipment like basketballs, volleyballs, and tennis rackets through the app for a small fee in addition to the facility booking charge.
• The in-app purchases model has gained popularity with fitness apps. For example, Nike Training Club has seen substantial revenue growth through in-app purchases for specialized workout plans and premium content.
  

In-app purchases can boost revenue by 5%-15% for apps with high user engagement, especially when combined with premium booking services or exclusive add-ons.

Top 5 Sports Facility Booking Apps in the USA

The sports facility booking scene in the USA has evolved a lot with various apps making it easier for both users and venue owners. Here are five leading sports facility booking apps, how they make money, and their estimated earnings.

1. Playo

Playo is a top app where users can book courts for sports like tennis, cricket, basketball, and soccer. It offers real-time availability and dynamic pricing that adjusts based on demand. With over 2 million active users by 2024, Playo has become a go-to app for players and facility owners.

• Monetization Strategy: Playo makes money from booking fees and partnerships with sports venues, plus premium features that improve user experience.
• Estimated Revenue: Playo is estimated to earn $10–15 million annually, driven by its large user base and strong partnerships.
  

2. OpenSports

OpenSports makes organizing games easy with automated group scheduling and helps users find trending events and nearby facilities. It’s seen a 30% increase in user engagement over the last year.

• Monetization Strategy: OpenSports uses a subscription model for leagues and organizations, charging fees based on how much the app is used and the features needed.
• Estimated Revenue: OpenSports is expected to generate around $5–8 million annually as its user base grows and engagement rises.
  

3. Spond

Spond combines AI with social features to make sports bookings easier. It offers smart scheduling, automated reminders, and real-time updates, syncing with users’ calendars. By 2025, Spond had over 1 million active users.

• Monetization Strategy: Spond earns through subscription fees for premium features and services aimed at teams and event organizers.
• Estimated Revenue: Spond is estimated to generate $6–10 million annually, thanks to its popularity with teams and organizers.
  

4. TeamSnap

TeamSnap is famous for its team management features alongside booking options. It uses AI to automate payments and predict player attendance. With over 20 million users globally, TeamSnap is a leader in team management.

• Monetization Strategy: TeamSnap works on a freemium model—offering basic features for free while charging for premium subscriptions that unlock advanced tools.
• Estimated Revenue: TeamSnap’s large user base helps it generate an estimated $25–30 million annually, making it one of the most profitable apps in the market.
  

5. CourtReserve

CourtReserve focuses on booking tennis and pickleball courts. The app uses AI to optimize schedules, reducing idle time, and sends personalized notifications about available slots or upcoming tournaments. By 2024, CourtReserve had facilitated over 500,000 bookings across the country.

• Monetization Strategy: CourtReserve charges a subscription fee based on their size and usage, plus earns transaction fees from bookings.
• Estimated Revenue: CourtReserve is estimated to bring in $8–12 million annually from its subscription model and transaction fees.

Conclusion 

Using different ways to make money like commissions, subscriptions, premium listings, and event management can really help sports facility booking apps grow. These strategies create steady and scalable revenue streams. By offering flexible pricing, exclusive experiences, and extra add-ons, apps can attract all kinds of users from casual players to dedicated sports fans. For businesses, creating a similar app opens up the chance to serve a growing market while providing convenience to both users and venue owners. With the right mix of strategies, a well-designed app can drive consistent engagement and bring in solid revenue over time.

Looking to Develop a Sports Facility Booking App?

 At Idea Usher, we focus on building easy-to-use platforms that make booking sports venues simple and efficient. With over 500,000 hours of coding experience and a team of ex-MAANG/FAANG developers, we guarantee your app will be built to the highest standards. We’re ready to help turn your idea into a successful, revenue-generating app.

Take a look at our latest projects to get an idea of the quality work we can do for you. 

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FAQs

Q1: How to develop a sports facility booking app?

A1: To develop a sports facility booking app, you’ll need to start by identifying the core features like venue search, booking management, payment gateway, and user profiles. Focus on creating an intuitive and user-friendly interface. You’ll also want to integrate secure payment systems and ensure smooth communication between users and venue owners. Once the basic functionality is in place, test and refine the app to improve user experience and performance.

Q2: How do sports facility booking apps make money?

A2: Sports facility booking apps make money through several methods, such as charging a commission on each booking, offering premium listings for venues, and providing subscription models for users or facility owners. Some apps also generate revenue from in-app advertising, event management services, or special features like equipment rentals and personalized services.

Q3: What is the cost of developing sports facility booking apps?

The cost of developing a sports facility booking app depends on factors like complexity, design, features, and platform choice. Generally, the more advanced the features and the more platforms you want to support (iOS, Android, Web), the higher the cost. A basic version may be more affordable, but as you add advanced functionalities, integration, and user personalization, the cost will increase.

Q4: What are the features of sports facility booking apps?

A4: Sports facility booking apps typically include features like venue search, real-time availability checks, secure payment processing, user profiles, and booking management. Additional features may include ratings and reviews, event scheduling, notifications, equipment rentals, and premium options for both users and venue owners. The goal is to make the booking process smooth and convenient for everyone involved.