Business · Updated 16 October 2026

How you price access to your courts shapes your revenue, your member base and how predictable your income is. The two most common models are membership and pay-and-play, and many centres end up using a mix of both.

Membership model

Members pay a recurring fee, often monthly or annually, for access benefits such as priority booking, discounted court rates or a set number of included hours. This gives a centre a predictable, recurring income base and tends to build a loyal core of regular players who book consistently.

Pay-and-play model

Players book and pay per session with no ongoing commitment. This lowers the barrier for new or occasional players to try the sport and is simpler to manage administratively, but income is less predictable and more dependent on marketing and peak-time demand.

Why many centres combine both

A hybrid approach is common: membership tiers for regular players alongside open pay-and-play booking for casual players, tournaments and visitors. This balances predictable recurring revenue with the flexibility to capture demand from players who are not ready to commit to a membership.

What to think about before choosing

Consider your local market: a centre near offices or residential areas with a strong regular-player base can support membership income, while a centre in a tourist or mixed-use area may see more value from flexible pay-and-play pricing. Court capacity also matters; a centre with limited courts needs to manage booking fairly between members and casual players.

Which model generates more revenue?

It depends on the market. Membership provides steadier income, while pay-and-play can capture higher per-session rates during peak demand, especially from casual and tourist players.

Can a centre switch pricing models later?

Yes. Many centres start with pay-and-play to build demand and introduce membership tiers once they have a stable base of regular players.

Does the pricing model affect court utilisation?

Yes. Membership tends to encourage consistent off-peak bookings, while pay-and-play demand is often concentrated around evenings and weekends.