Book&Go
Migration Guide · 5 phases · 4–8 weeks

How to Switch from PodPlay to Book & Go

A practical, operator-focused migration guide covering pre-migration checklists, data export reality, member communication plans, dual-run period, cutover day, and first 30 days.

Schedule Migration Call →Compare Platforms
30-min walkthrough · No credit card · Live in 4 weeks

How long does it take to switch from Podplay to Book & Go?

Most clubs go live on Book & Go about 4 weeks after kickoff; a full switch from Podplay with a dual-run period usually takes 4–8 weeks. We handle data export, app setup, and training.

Published October 15, 2026Updated October 15, 2026
Clubs that moved to their own app
Padel BadePadel Bade
Jungle PadelJungle Padel
KrossKross
Padel ArenaPadel Arena
The LobThe Lob
Town PadelTown Padel
Prime PadelPrime Padel
PickleparkPicklepark
Island SportsIsland Sports
HOP IrelandHOP Ireland
Before you start

Is This Guide for You?

Switching platforms is a significant decision. Here's when it makes sense — and when staying on PodPlay may be better.

Multi-Sport Clubs: PodPlay Is Pickleball-First

PodPlay is built around pickleball (launched from PingPod). If your facility offers tennis, padel, squash, badminton, or other sports alongside pickleball, you need a platform that handles all of them from one dashboard. Book & Go is a multi-sport club OS supporting 13+ sports with unified booking, memberships, and CRM.

Proprietary Hardware Lock-In on Pro/Autonomous Tiers

PodPlay Pro tier bundles proprietary digital scoreboards with video replay. Autonomous adds door access hardware and 24/7 monitoring. If you're on these tiers, you're locked into PodPlay's hardware ecosystem. Book & Go is software-only — works with any existing hardware, any scoreboard vendor, any access control. Upgrade on your terms.

Per-Court Pricing vs Flat Subscription for Larger Venues

PodPlay pricing ranges from $30 to $350 per court per month. For tiny 1–2 court pickleball venues, this may be competitive. For larger facilities (4+ courts) or multi-sport clubs, per-court pricing adds up fast. Book & Go offers flat subscription-based pricing with 0% platform commission — predictable monthly cost regardless of court count.

White-Label App Requires Basic+ or Higher

PodPlay offers white-label branded iOS/Android apps on Basic+ tier and above (per their FAQ). Basic tier includes only a white-label web app. Book & Go includes native iOS/Android apps under your club name on every plan — no tier upgrade required, no hardware purchase required. Your app, your brand, day one.

An honest take

When Staying on PodPlay May Be Better

You're a Tiny Pickleball-Only Venue on Basic TierIf you're a 1–2 court pickleball-only facility on PodPlay Basic ($30/court/month low end), and you don't need multi-sport support or native mobile apps, the per-court model may be cheaper than a flat subscription. Book & Go is quote-based, so compare directly.
Turnkey Autonomous Operations Are CriticalPodPlay Autonomous tier includes remote door access and 24/7 remote security monitoring (per their FAQ). If you're running an unstaffed pickleball facility and need turnkey hardware for autonomous 24/7 ops, this is a differentiator. Book & Go offers door access integrations but verify your specific hardware compatibility before switching.
You're Committed to the PodPlay Hardware EcosystemIf you've already purchased PodPlay Pro/Autonomous hardware (scoreboards, cameras, door access, monitoring) and are satisfied with the integrated experience, the switching cost may outweigh the benefits. Book & Go is software-only and doesn't require proprietary hardware, but you'd need to replace or integrate existing equipment independently.
The plan

Migration Timeline: 5 Phases

Typical clubs complete migration in 4-8 weeks. Here's what happens in each phase.

W1W2W3W4W5W6W7W8W9W10W11W12
01 / 05 · Pre-Migration

Assessment & Planning

1-2 weeks
  • Inventory all courts, facilities, and venue-specific rules
  • Export member database (request from PodPlay support — export options not published)
  • List active memberships, recurring billings, and access rules
  • Document open bookings (next 30-60 days)
  • Audit active payment methods, wallet credits, and outstanding balances
  • Calculate actual per-court cost vs flat subscription (if on multi-court venue)
  • Review PodPlay contract (12-month initial term, 90 days notice per FAQ)
  • If on Pro/Autonomous: document proprietary hardware (scoreboards, cameras, door access) that will need replacement or independent integration
  • Assign internal champion and backup contact
Your data

Data Export: What to Expect

No automated one-click migration exists. Here's the reality of what data can be moved and how.

Data typeHow it movesMigration reality
Member Contact DetailsCSV importRequest from PodPlay support. Export options are not published on their website. Book & Go can import via CSV (name, email, phone, membership tier).
Booking HistoryUpcoming 30–60 daysHistorical booking data may be limited. Focus on importing upcoming bookings (next 30-60 days) to honor commitments.
Court & Facility ConfigRecreate manuallyManually recreate court setup in Book & Go (names, operating hours, pricing). No automated export from PodPlay.
Membership Tiers & RulesRecreate with CSDocument active membership types, benefits, and billing cycles. Recreate in Book & Go with CS help.
Wallet BalancesNo direct transferNo direct transfer. Options: honor balances manually in Book & Go wallets, or run down existing credits on PodPlay before cutover.
Coach ProfilesRecreate accountsRecreate coach accounts in Book & Go. No bulk import tool; typically 5-20 coaches per club.

Important: Book & Go customer success handles data import coordination. Contact both Book & Go and PodPlay support to request export assistance. Export options from PodPlay are not published; verify with vendor before migration planning.

Bring your members along

Member Communication Plan

Clear, frequent communication is critical. Here's a proven 6-week campaign from first announcement to post-launch check-in.

Pro Tip: Use email, in-app push notifications, WhatsApp groups, and in-club posters. Redundant communication is good — many members only read the 3rd or 4th message.

Go-live day

Cutover Day Checklist

The day you flip the switch. Here's what needs to happen.

Rollback Plan: Keep PodPlay credentials active for 7 days after cutover in case you need to revert. Most clubs never need it, but having the option reduces risk.

Cutover · Day 18 / 8 done
  • Final member data sync (any new signups during dual-run)
  • Activate payment processing on Book & Go (Stripe/Revolut under your account)
  • Staff briefed: all bookings now Book & Go only
  • PodPlay booking engine paused or redirected
  • In-club signage updated (QR codes, app download posters)
  • Email + push notification sent: "We're live"
  • Monitor first-day transaction volume and support tickets
  • Backup plan: PodPlay credentials kept active for 7 days in case of rollback
After launch

First 30 Days: What to Watch

The first month is critical. Here's what to monitor and optimize.

  • 01Daily monitoring: bookings, payments, occupancy, support tickets
  • 02Re-engagement campaign for members who haven't downloaded the app
  • 03Push notification cadence: weekly tips, promotions, new features
  • 04Review analytics: peak times, court utilization, no-show rates
  • 05Staff feedback session: what's working, what needs improvement
  • 06Calculate actual savings from flat subscription vs per-court pricing (if applicable)
  • 07Plan first owned-marketing push (email campaign, loyalty program launch)

Success Metric: Day 30

from this guide

By day 30, you should see 80%+ of active members using the new app, occupancy levels matching or exceeding pre-switch rates, and positive feedback on push notifications and new features.

An honest take

Where PodPlay Still Wins

Honest assessment: the areas where PodPlay's offering remains strong.

Digital scoreboardsVideo replayTurnkey hardware

Integrated Court Hardware on Pro Tier

PodPlay Pro tier bundles digital scoreboards with video replay (iPad, cameras, monitors per their blog). If you want a turnkey hardware + software package for pickleball courts and don't mind proprietary equipment, PodPlay's Pro tier delivers an integrated experience.

Remote door access24/7 monitoringAutonomous tier

Autonomous Unstaffed Operations

PodPlay Autonomous tier adds remote door access and 24/7 remote security monitoring (per their FAQ). If you're running an unstaffed pickleball facility and need turnkey hardware for autonomous 24/7 ops, this is a differentiator.

$30–$350PER COURT PER MONTH4 tiers12-month term

Per-Court Pricing for Tiny Venues

PodPlay pricing ranges from $30 to $350 per court per month (PodPlay FAQ). If you're a tiny 1–2 court pickleball venue, the low end of that range may be cheaper than a flat subscription — though Book & Go is quote-based, so compare directly.

Want to see a full feature-by-feature comparison?View Complete Comparison →

What exactly does a club get with Book & Go?

Each claim we make, with the detail behind it.

Your own branded app
Native iOS and Android apps on the App Store and Google Play, published under your club's name and developer account. Players book in your app, not in a marketplace next to other clubs.
0% commission
You pay a one-time setup fee and a flat monthly subscription. No per-booking commission, no player fees and no feature gates.
Payments go to your account
Online payments run through your club's own payment-gateway account (for example your own Stripe account), so money settles to the club. 19 gateways are already integrated, including Stripe, Airwallex, Xendit, Midtrans, Razorpay, Revolut, Worldpay.
Live in about 4 weeks
Typical clubs launch about 4 weeks after kickoff. A full switch from another system with a dual-run period usually takes 4–8 weeks.

Included in every plan

  • Your own iOS and Android app, published on the App Store and Google Play under your club's name and developer account
  • Booking for courts, classes, lessons and events, with real-time availability
  • Online payments through your own payment-gateway account, so money settles to you
  • Memberships, class packs, wallet credit, vouchers and loyalty points
  • Open matches and tournaments
  • Coach app and coach scheduling
  • Back-office dashboard: calendar, customers, reports, point of sale
  • Multi-venue support from one back office
  • Dedicated account manager, onboarding and staff training

What happens after you get in touch

  1. 30-minute demo. A 30-minute call on Google Meet. We show the booking flow, the back office and a first look at your app in your colours.
  2. Written quote within 24 hours. You get a one-time setup fee and a flat monthly subscription in writing. No per-booking commission.
  3. Design and setup. We design the app in your brand, configure courts, prices, memberships and your payment gateway, and import your existing customers.
  4. App Store and Google Play launch. Your app is published under your club's name. Typical clubs are live about 4 weeks after kickoff; a full switch with a dual-run period usually takes 4–8 weeks.
FAQ

Migration FAQ

Still deciding? See why clubs leave PodPlay.

Why Switch from PodPlay →
How long does the full migration take?
Most clubs complete the migration in 4-8 weeks from kickoff to cutover. The timeline includes setup, member onboarding, a dual-run period, and final cutover. Clubs with complex integrations or large member bases may need 8-12 weeks.
Can I run PodPlay and Book & Go in parallel during the transition?
Yes. Many clubs run both systems for 2-4 weeks while members transition. During this period, freeze long-horizon bookings on PodPlay (bookings beyond the cutover date) to avoid conflicts.
What happens to existing PodPlay bookings?
All bookings made before cutover are honored. Book & Go imports upcoming reservations (next 30-60 days) so members see their existing bookings in the new app.
How do we migrate member wallet balances?
Wallet balances cannot be automatically transferred. Options: (1) manually credit wallets in Book & Go based on PodPlay export, or (2) allow members to spend down credits before cutover.
Do we need to notify PodPlay before switching?
Review your PodPlay contract for notice requirements. Per their FAQ, the standard agreement is a 12-month initial term, cancellable with 90 days notice. Contact PodPlay support to discuss your exit plan.
What if our members refuse to switch?
Resistance is rare when migration is well-communicated. Key tactics: (1) early preview access for loyal members, (2) emphasize benefits (your brand, multi-sport support, no hardware lock-in), (3) in-club support during first week. Most clubs see 80%+ adoption within 2 weeks.
What happens to PodPlay Pro/Autonomous hardware after we switch?
PodPlay Pro tier includes proprietary digital scoreboards and video replay. Autonomous adds door access hardware and 24/7 monitoring. If you switch, you'll need to replace or integrate this hardware independently. Book & Go works with any third-party scoreboard, camera, and access control vendor — no proprietary hardware required.
Can Book & Go handle pickleball as well as PodPlay?
Yes. Book & Go provides comprehensive court management for pickleball and 12+ other sports, including real-time booking, scheduling optimization, player matching, and tournament brackets. We're not pickleball-first like PodPlay, but we handle pickleball alongside tennis, padel, squash, and more from one unified platform.
How does Book & Go's pricing compare to PodPlay?
PodPlay charges $30–$350 per court per month depending on tier (Basic, Basic+, Pro, Autonomous). For tiny 1–2 court venues, PodPlay's low end may be competitive. For larger venues or multi-sport clubs, per-court pricing adds up. Book & Go offers flat subscription-based pricing with 0% platform commission — predictable monthly cost regardless of court count. Contact Book & Go for a quote.
Does Book & Go require a 12-month contract like PodPlay?
PodPlay's standard agreement is a 12-month initial term, cancellable with 90 days notice (per their FAQ). Book & Go contract terms are provided on quote — contact us to discuss your specific requirements.
Will I lose door access and video replay if I leave PodPlay?
PodPlay Pro/Autonomous include proprietary door access and video replay hardware. If you switch, you'll need to replace or integrate these features independently. Book & Go offers door access integrations (Protege GX/secCloud, ZKTeco ADMS, Fingerspot) — verify your specific access control hardware compatibility before switching. Video replay integrations availability is not currently published; contact Book & Go to confirm.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Schedule a migration planning call with our team. We'll walk through your specific situation, answer your questions, and build a custom timeline for your club.

30-min walkthrough · No credit card · Live in 4 weeks
How to Switch from PodPlay to Book & Go: Complete Migration Guide