What is pickup basketball?
A one-off game anyone can join. No team to bring, no season to commit to.
- Easy to sign up
- All skill levels
- Equipment provided
“It's incredibly easy to find and join local pickup games, no matter your skill level…”
No team required, just show up and play
5v5
Five a side, with 15 to 20 players in a run, so three or four teams share the court.
First to 7, winner stays
Games are first to 7 points. The winning team stays on and the losing team rotates off for the next five.
90 minutes to 2 hours
Runs with 15 players last 90 minutes, and runs with 20 go for 2 hours. Check the game in the app to confirm.
All skill levels
Games are open to every level unless the title and description clearly say otherwise.
Sign up in seconds
No team to bring, no group chat to start. Book a single spot and turn up.
Find a game near you
See this week’s games in your city and pick the day, time and place that suit you.
Reserve your spot
Don’t worry about filling the game. We do that for you. Add friends if they’re down to play too.
Show up and play
We book the court, bring the equipment and sort the teams. You just turn up and play.
Playing sports without the work
Basketball without the commitment
1M+ players have joined GoodRec. Here are a few reasons why.
- You just moved to a new city and are looking for a way to play
- The park courts are packed and you never get next
- You want to play weekly without a league schedule
- Your week changes and you can’t commit to a team
- You want more games than your rec league gives you
- You want to meet new people through sports
Your questions answered
What is pickup basketball?
Pickup basketball is a run you join on your own instead of with a team. With GoodRec you book a single spot in a 5v5 run, and we book the court, find the other players and make the teams.
Is a pickup run like open gym?
Yes, it’s the same idea: you come on your own and play with whoever is there. With GoodRec you book your spot in the app first, so every run has a set number of players, and games are first to 7 with the winner staying on.
How much does pickup basketball cost?
Game price varies depending on game format, time, day and location, and the price of each game is shown before you book your spot.
How often do teams rotate?
Games are first to 7 points, and the winner stays on. The losing team rotates out. To confirm these details and others, refer to the app.
How many players are on each team at pickup basketball games?
Each team has 5 players, and each pickup session typically has 15-20 players. 15-player sessions last 90 minutes and 20 player runs go for 2 hours. To confirm these details, refer to the app.
Do I need to be at a specific level to join a game?
Unless clearly stated in the game title and description, our games are open to all levels!
Can I bring a friend with me?
Absolutely. Just have them grab their own spot in the app so we know the numbers. Only people who have paid and are listed on the game are allowed to play, and whether a friend can come and watch is up to the facility.
Do I have to pay for games in advance?
Yes. You pay for your spot when you book it in the app. Paid spots keep no-shows down, so the teams stay full and the rotation keeps moving.
What happens if a run doesn’t fill?
If a game doesn’t have enough players, we cancel it with advance notice and refund your spot as in-app credit you can use on any future game.
What is the minimum age to join a game?
You must be 18 years or older to join any GoodRec game.
Do you run other sports?
Yes. GoodRec runs pickup soccer, pickup basketball and open play volleyball. Which ones are available depends on the city; the app shows everything running near you.
