How open match prices work: why players may pay different amounts

Players in the same open match can sometimes pay different amounts, even when they play on the same court. This article explains how the price per player is calculated, with examples, and how you can avoid differences between players.

How is the price per player calculated in an open match?

An open match doesn't have a court when it's created. Each player's price is set when they join, and it can change when the match gets its final court:

• Before a court is assigned: the price is calculated on the first court at your club that matches the match's characteristics (sport, court type, feature and size). It isn't the cheapest or the most expensive court.
• When the court is assigned: the price of each player who hasn't paid yet is recalculated with that court's price. Players who have already paid keep the price they paid.
• Benefits apply per player: each price is calculated for that player, so members with a benefit can pay less than the other players.

Why did players in the same open match pay different amounts?

This usually happens when your courts with the same characteristics have different prices, or when some players have a benefit.

Example 1: the court is assigned after some players have paid

Your club has three indoor panoramic courts. Courts 1 and 2 cost €60 for 90 minutes (€15 per player). Court 3 costs €80 (€20 per player).

1. A player creates an open match for 19:00. The price is calculated on Court 1: €15 per player.
2. A second player joins. Both pay €15.
3. With only 2 players and less than 12 hours to go, the match doesn't keep a court booked. It stays open, but Courts 1 and 2 are free for other bookings.
4. In the meantime, Courts 1 and 2 are taken at 19:00, for example by a private booking, another open match that fills up first, or a class.
5. When the match fills up, the only free court with the same characteristics is Court 3. The match is assigned to Court 3, and the two empty spots are recalculated at €20.
6. Two more players join and pay €20 each.

Result: two players paid €15 and two paid €20, on the same court.

📖 To learn when an open match keeps a court booked, see Understanding When Open Matches Occupy Club Calendar Slots.

Example 2: a player has a benefit

All your courts cost €15 per player in an open match. One player is a member with a benefit that gives a €12 price.

Result: the member pays €12 and the other three players pay €15. This is expected: each player's price includes their own benefits.

How do I avoid different prices in the same open match?

An open match is only assigned to a court with the same characteristics as the court used to calculate its price. Court characteristics are the Court type (Indoor, Outdoor or Roofed), the Feature (Wall, Crystal or Panoramic) and the Size (Single or Double) of each court. You can use them to keep courts with different prices apart:

1. Group your courts by price, including member prices.
2. Go to Settings > Courts and click the court's name.
3. Give the same characteristics to courts with the same prices, and different characteristics to courts with different prices.
4. Click Save and repeat for the other courts.

Example: Courts 2 and 5 cost €60, and Courts 1, 3 and 4 cost €80. Courts 2 and 5 are set as Indoor, Wall, Double. Courts 1, 3 and 4 are set as Indoor, Panoramic, Double. An open match priced on Court 2 can then only be assigned to Court 5, never to Courts 1, 3 or 4, so every player pays the same price.

You can also give the same price to all courts with the same characteristics.

Note: Players see the court characteristics in the app, so choose the ones that best describe each court. If you change your prices later, check this setup again.

📖 More info: How to add, edit and delete a court · How to configure "Open Matches" at your Club

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