How to add anyone to your event with Claim Your Spot

Sometimes you just need a name on the list. A new player is coming Thursday, a sub is filling in or you already collected signups somewhere else.

With Claim Your Spot, you can add anyone to your session by name, whether they have a Pickleheads account or not.

When they join later, they see Is this you? and claim their spot in one tap.

Their scores, stats and paid status move right to their account, so you never end up with the same player on your list twice.

Here's when it comes in handy, and how to set it up.

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When to use it

Welcoming new players to your group

Add new players by name before they've downloaded the app. Put them on your next session or round robin like anyone else. Once they create their account and open your session, they claim their spot, and everything from it moves to their account.

You don't have to wait for every new player to sign up before you can plan around them.

Signups you collected somewhere else

Collected names by text, a group chat, a form or a sign-up sheet? Add them all to your session. You can build your round robin, league or mini tournament right away. As each player joins on Pickleheads, they claim the spot you saved for them.

Add each player's email when you have it. It's the most reliable way to match the right player to their spot. On web, you can add a whole list at once with Bulk add players.

Walk-ins and subs at the courts

Add walk-ins and subs by name so your round robin starts on time. Nobody has to stop and make an account at the courts. Scores go in under their name all night. If they sign up before the event ends, they claim their spot and the results move to their account.

Players already on Pickleheads

Add a regular by name when you can't find them in search. Maybe they signed up with a nickname, or you're adding players quickly on the fly. When they open the session, they claim the spot, and the duplicate never happens.

CourtReserve and SportLogic events

Members on your club's roster can claim their spot with their Pickleheads account. On events that sync from CourtReserve or SportLogic, members whose names are already on the list see Claim Profile on the session page. After they claim, they can link their Pickleheads account to your club, so the next event connects on its own.

How it works

Only players with an account name that closely matches the name on your list see the option to claim, like "Jen Smith" for "Jennifer Smith." Nobody can grab someone else's spot.

When a player claims a spot, their game results, stats and paid status move to their account, and the guest entry is replaced with their profile. They keep their place in your round robin, on their team and on the list, even if the session is full.

How to set it up

1. Add players by name

On the web:

1. Open your session and open the Invite Players panel.
2. Choose Add confirmed players, then Add a player manually.
3. Enter the player's first and last name. Add their email if you have it.

To add several players at once, choose Bulk add players instead.

In the app:

1. Open your session and tap Invite.
2. Tap Add a player manually.
3. Enter the player's first and last name. Add their email if you have it.

Use the name the player goes by on Pickleheads, or would sign up with. The closer the match, the easier it is for them to claim.

2. Share your session link

Send your session link to your group the way you always do: in your group chat, by text or from the Invite Players panel. Players who aren't on Pickleheads yet can create an account from the link.

3. Players claim their spot

When a player opens your session and their name is already on the list, they see Your name is already on the list.

1. They tap Join now.
2. They see Is this you? with the name you added. If a few names could match, they see Find your name and pick theirs.
3. They tap Claim this spot.

That's it. Their profile replaces the name on your list, and everything from that spot moves to their account. Players can also tap the Is this you? tag next to their name in the player list.

If the spot isn't marked as paid, the player is taken to pay right after they claim it.

If it isn't their name, they tap This isn't me or I don't see my name and join the session as usual.

💡 Good to know: If the wrong player ever claims a spot, open that player on your list and use Swap Profile to put the right person back. See the full Swap Profile guide →

Ready for your next event

Add players by name, share your session link and let them claim their spots as they join. Your list stays clean, and every player keeps their results.

Create a session →