Growing your sports training business beyond a certain size can feel overwhelming. While you’re great at coaching athletes, consistently attracting new clients, handling administrative tasks,
The 2025 State of Sports Facility Management
If you’re running a sports facility in 2025, you’ve likely felt the shift. It’s no longer enough just to rent courts or fields and hope for steady foot traffic. Families, athletes, and coaches are looking for more, and facility owners are rethinking everything from scheduling to programming to tech.
At Upper Hand, we work with hundreds of facilities across the country, giving us a front-row seat to the changes shaping the industry. This article pulls together what we’re seeing in the field, hearing from operators, and learning from the data.
Whether you’re growing your program offerings or trying to streamline chaotic operations, this is your snapshot of where facility management is headed — and what you can do to stay ahead.
The Rise of the Multi-Program Facility
For years, sports facilities ran largely on rentals. You’d fill out the calendar, collect the payments, and let teams run their practices. But that model alone isn’t enough in today’s climate.
Now, more facilities are moving toward structured programming — from private training and small group clinics to seasonal camps and team sessions. Why? Because structured offerings bring in more revenue per square foot, create stronger customer loyalty, and allow for better use of your space.
Flexible scheduling is key here. When your software lets you easily manage private lessons in the same system as large clinics or leagues, you maximize every hour in your facility. Add in smart pricing options, like bundling packages or offering memberships, and you start to see more consistent income month to month.
"Now, we can have a new program up and running in 10 minutes with Upper Hand."
Galen Harkness
Founder of EYG Basketball
Smarter Scheduling and Operational Tools
One of the biggest pain points facility owners talk about? Juggling multiple spreadsheets, disconnected systems, and endless back-and-forth texts.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. But there’s good news: Centralized scheduling and management tools are making life a lot easier.
With modern software, you can:
See your schedule in real time, across all programs and staff
Let families book from their phones, without having to call or email
Send automated reminders and updates so everyone stays on the same page
This saves time for your team and creates a smoother experience for your athletes and families. And in a competitive market, that kind of ease matters.
Where Technology Is Helping — and Where It Isn’t
Almost every facility today uses some kind of scheduling or payment tool. But many are just scratching the surface of what technology can do.
Let’s break it down:
What’s Working
Online booking and payments
Attendance tracking
Basic program registration
What’s Underused
Automated retention reporting
Customer lifecycle data
AI-powered scheduling or forecasting
Recurring revenue setup (memberships, bundles)
These features don’t just look good on a dashboard — they free up hours of admin work, reduce errors, and help you make smarter decisions. If you’re paying for a system but not using these tools, it might be time to rethink your setup or explore more advanced options.
Revenue Growth Beyond Rentals
Rental income has its place — but it’s limited. You’re trading time for money, and when a rental cancels, that revenue is gone.
That’s why top-performing facilities are leaning into new pricing strategies. Some of the most effective include:
Memberships that give access to open gym, discounted programs, or exclusive perks
Program bundles that let families pre-pay for multiple sessions at a lower rate
Tiered pricing that reflects different skill levels or experience
These options help you create predictable, recurring revenue and give families a better value at the same time.
How Athletes and Families Choose Facilities Today
When parents look for a sports program, they don’t just rely on location or price. Their decisions are shaped by:
Online reviews and testimonials
Social media presence — including coach highlights and facility videos
Word-of-mouth from other families
If your facility doesn’t have a digital footprint that builds trust, you’re missing a big opportunity.
Make sure your website and socials show:
Who you are
What your space looks like
Who your coaches are
Why your programs work
The goal? Let potential members get a feel for your facility before they walk through the doors.
Challenges and Opportunities Heading Into 2025
No surprise — managing a sports facility today isn’t easy. Here are the top hurdles we’re seeing and how the best operators are tackling them:
Staffing Strain
It’s harder than ever to find and keep reliable staff. The solution? Systems that simplify scheduling, automate payouts, and reduce friction in day-to-day management.
Weather Disruptions
Outdoor programs face more cancellations than ever. Smart facilities are building flexible indoor alternatives or using real-time communication tools to notify families quickly.
Manual Workload
If you’re still printing rosters, chasing payments, or juggling text chains with parents, it’s time to upgrade. Automation tools can give you back 10+ hours per week.
The Role of AI
AI is already helping facilities predict demand, optimize schedules, and improve retention, but many still aren’t using it. In 2025, that gap will grow between facilities that adapt and those that don’t.
Want to Grow in 2025?
The sports facilities leading the way have a few things in common:
They’ve diversified their offerings — not just rentals, but robust programs
They’ve embraced digital maturity — from scheduling to marketing to payments
They’ve built a better customer experience — seamless, mobile-friendly, and community-focused
If you want to stay competitive, it’s time to evaluate your systems. What’s working? What’s slowing you down? And what could be simplified?
Explore What’s Possible With Upper Hand
We’ve built tools specifically for sports facilities that want to grow, streamline, and improve retention. Whether you’re running a one-sport training center or a multi-sport complex, Upper Hand helps you manage everything in one place.
With Upper Hand, you can:
Offer memberships and subscriptions to increase recurring revenue
Simplify mobile booking and payments
Schedule and manage staff with ease
Use AI-powered insights to forecast, plan, and grow
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