Never Miss a Court Again: Snagging Prime-Time Slots

If you've ever tried to book a tennis or padel court for a Monday evening at 7:00 PM, you know it feels like trying to buy tickets to a sold-out concert.

Weekday evenings between 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM are the most sought-after hours in racket sports. If you aren't quick, you'll find yourself locked out. Here are a few pro-tips to help you secure those prime-time slots.

1. Know the Release Schedule

Clubs usually release their calendar availability in batches—for example, every Sunday night at 8:00 PM for the following week. Ask your favorite club when their schedule updates and set a recurring alarm on your phone so you can book immediately.

2. Leverage "Thin Listings" and Notifications

Some local clubs are listed on booking platforms but don't have online booking enabled yet. Keep an eye on these venues. The moment they enable digital bookings, you want to be the first in line.

3. Play Outside the Peak

If your schedule allows, try booking right before the rush (e.g., 4:30 PM) or late at night (e.g., 9:30 PM). These slots are much easier to secure and often come with lower, off-peak rates.

Let Smash Do the Waiting for You

You don't have to keep refreshing your browser to find an open court.

With the Smash app, you can follow your favorite clubs. For venues that are not yet fully onboarded, you can tap "Notify when bookings open". The moment the club activates online booking or opens new schedules, you will receive an instant push notification directly to your phone. Turn on notifications and let us grab the slot for you!