Support

Help center

Common questions for organizers and participants. Still stuck? Contact us and we'll help.

Race Directors

How do I create a race?
From your organizer dashboard choose Events → New Event, fill in the basics (name, date, location), then add one or more distances. Once your event is set up you can publish the public page and open registration.
How do I set distances, pricing, and capacity?
On the Registration section of your event you can add distances (including multisport legs), set date-based price tiers, custom questions, a waiver, and per-distance or event-wide capacity limits.
How do I collect registration fees online?
Connect your payout account under Payments, then set your entry fees under each race distance. You choose whether to pass the processing fee to registrants or absorb it. Free registrations never incur a fee.
How do I assign bibs and check people in?
Use Registrations → Bib Assignment to auto-assign bib numbers, then the Check-In Dashboard or QR scanner on race day. Cancelled registrations are excluded automatically. You can also assign bibs manually.
How do I post results?
Use Results & Awards → Timing for live timing, or upload a results CSV. Recalculate places and age groups, generate the awards report, then publish results so participants can see them.
Do I need an internet connection to use the race timing?
At this time, yes, that is required.
Can I try it out first?
Yes, setting up a race is free and at no cost to directors.
Can I import results from past races?
Yes, of course. We can also help you with this if needed.
Can I customize my registration form?
You can fully customize all the questions that are asked on your form.
Can I allow participant self-service?
We have a specific section for that, and you can allow or disallow certain self-service features and set deadline dates for them.
What is Race Personality?
You can set characteristics of your race that are searchable, such as family friendly, challenging, scenic, destination race, and more.
How to: common tasks
Create a race

Dashboard → Events → New Event → enter name, date, and location → Save. Then add distances under Registration.

Add a distance with price tiers

Event → Registration → Distances → Add Distance → set the base price → add date-based tiers (e.g. early-bird, regular).

Turn on online payments

Payments → connect your payout account → set entry fees → choose whether to pass or absorb the processing fee.

Assign bibs

Registrations → Bib Assignment → set a starting number → Auto Assign (or set per-distance starting bibs).

Publish results

Results & Awards → enter/upload results → Recalculate places → Publish so participants can view them.

Race Participants

How do I register for a race?
Open the event's public page, pick your distance, complete the form (and waiver if required), and pay if there's a fee. You'll get a confirmation email with a QR code for check-in.
How do I view or edit my registration?
Log in to your dashboard, or use the lookup link in your confirmation email, to view, edit, or cancel your registration.
Can I transfer my registration to someone else?
If the organizer allows transfers, start a transfer from your registration. The new participant gets an email, completes their own details, and signs the waiver, the transfer finishes once they do.
Where do I find my results?
Once the organizer publishes results, they appear on the event's public results page and in your dashboard. You can also claim a result that matches you.
How do refunds work?
Refunds are handled by the event organizer per their policy. The payment processing fee is non-refundable.
Do I have to create an account?
No. You can register for a race without creating an account, but it is easier to manage, save, and claim results if you do create one.
Can I remain anonymous?
We believe in privacy choices, and let race directors show only your first name, your first initial and last name, or your full name on registration lists. You can also choose not to be included in the public registration list at all.
How to: common tasks
Register for a race

Open the event page → choose your distance → fill out the form and sign the waiver → pay if required. Watch for your confirmation email.

Edit or cancel a registration

Log in to your Dashboard (or use the link in your confirmation email) → open the registration → Edit or Cancel.

Transfer your spot

Open your registration → Transfer → enter the new participant's name and email. They finish their own details and waiver from the emailed link.

Claim your result

Open the event results page → find your result → Claim → verify your date of birth.

Tournament & League Managers

How do I create a tournament or league season?
From your dashboard create a tournament, or create a league and then a season within it. Add divisions, registration types, and your public page content.
Why do I need to "activate" it?
Publishing your public page, opening registration, scheduling, financials, and emailing registrants all require a one-time activation payment per tournament or per season. Choose a plan/capacity and pay to unlock everything.
How do I set up divisions, pools, and brackets?
On Teams & Pools create pools and assign teams, then generate a round-robin or add games manually. Build single/double-elimination brackets from the Brackets section and seed from standings.
How do I schedule games and enter scores?
Use the Schedule Board to assign times and courts, and Quick Scores to enter results as play progresses. Standings update automatically.
How do waitlists and payment work?
When a division is full, teams join a waitlist at no charge. You can promote a team (or all waitlisted teams) and email them a pay link with a deadline; they're confirmed once they pay.
What sports are supported?
We support most team sports, including baseball, softball, soccer, football, hockey, and more.
How to: common tasks
Activate a tournament / season

Open the tournament or season → Activate → choose your plan/capacity → pay. This unlocks the public page, registration, scheduling, financials, and email.

Create pools and generate games

Teams & Pools → Pool Management → Add Pool → assign teams → + Add Game or ⟳ Auto-generate (round-robin).

Build a bracket

Brackets → generate a single or double elimination bracket → assign or auto-seed teams from standings.

Enter scores

Schedule & Scores → Quick Scores → enter each game's score. Standings and brackets update automatically.

Promote waitlisted teams

Teams → Promote on a single team, or Promote All Waitlisted. Teams that owe a fee are emailed a pay link with a deadline.

Tournament and League Participants

How do I register my team?
Open the tournament or league public page, choose your division, enter your team and contact details, and pay the entry fee or dues if required.
How do I manage my roster?
As the team manager you can add players and invite teammates from your team page. Some events also let individual players self-register and join a team.
Where do I see the schedule, standings, and brackets?
They're on the tournament or league public page once the organizer publishes them. Follow your team's hub to see upcoming games and results.
I was promoted from the waitlist, how do I pay?
You'll get an email with a secure pay link and a deadline. Complete payment before the deadline to confirm your spot, or it returns to the waitlist.
How to: common tasks
Register a team

Open the tournament/league public page → choose your division → enter team + contact details → pay the entry fee or dues if required.

Invite teammates

Open your team page from your dashboard → invite players by email. They register and join your team from the invite link.

Follow your schedule and standings

Open the public page → your team's hub shows upcoming games, results, and standings once the organizer publishes them.

Pay after a waitlist promotion

Open the pay-link email → Pay before the deadline to confirm your spot.

General Questions

What does PlayCompete cost?
Races use a small per-registration fee. Leagues and tournaments use a one-time activation fee per season/tournament (no monthly charges). See the Pricing pages for details.
What are the payment processing fees?
For league dues and tournament entry payments, the processing fee is 3.9% + $1 per transaction. You choose whether to absorb it or pass it to participants. Free ($0) registrations never incur a fee.
Can I run races, leagues, and tournaments from one account?
Yes, one login manages everything you run, with per-entity team and volunteer roles for your staff.
Is my data secure?
Payments are processed securely through Stripe, and we follow standard practices to protect your data. See our Privacy Policy for details.
How do I get more help?
Use the Contact page to reach us, we're happy to help organizers and participants alike.
How do I get paid?
You get paid via your Stripe Connect account, which you set up when you turn on payments.
How often do I get paid?
Transactions are posted as you receive them, so there's no need to wait weeks for payment.
Can I issue refunds?
Yes, that is entirely up to you, and you can pre-set the amounts based on your race policies.
Can I share some ideas I have for this platform?
Please do! We love to hear ideas, and if it makes sense, we may just incorporate them.
How to: common tasks
Switch between races, leagues, and tournaments

Use the top menu, everything you run is under one login.

Reset your password

On the login page choose "Forgot password" and follow the emailed link.

Contact support

Open the Help menu → Contact, or use the Contact link in the footer.