A sports court rental business rents badminton, pickleball, volleyball or basketball courts by the hour to groups, clubs and leagues. Most small operators start by converting a warehouse into three or four badminton courts that can also take pickleball nets. The money is made on filling evening and weekend hours, regular groups that book every week, and keeping rent and lighting costs under control.

This guide walks through what it takes to start a sports court rental business in the Philippines: the capital, the monthly costs, the permits and the first 90 days. The peso figures are sample estimates for a 4-court badminton hall in Cebu as of October 2026; get your own quotes before you decide.

How much capital you need

The sample comes to about ₱1,519,450 including one month of fixed costs kept as a cash buffer. It splits into courts (₱608,000), lighting and power (₱300,000), building fit-out (₱195,000), permits and deposits (₱245,000), launch (₱25,000) and working capital (₱146,450). Other ways to start: covered basketball court on your lot at ₱2 million–₱4 million and pickleball and badminton center at ₱3 million–₱6 million.

Monthly costs and break-even

Fixed costs in the sample are ₱146,450 a month; the biggest are warehouse rent (₱75,000), court attendants (₱31,200) and utility and cleaner (₱15,600). Each court hour sold earns about ₱264 after its own costs, so the break-even is 19 court hours a day, and the startup capital takes about 18 months to come back at full sales.

Permits and registration

Register the business name with DTI (or SEC or CDA), then get the barangay business clearance, the Mayor's permit through the city or municipal BPLO, and BIR registration; register with SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG once you hire. A sports court rental business also needs: change-of-use check for the warehouse, sanitary permit and amusement or local tax (ask first). Requirements and fees differ by city, so ask each office for its checklist first. DTI Negosyo Centers help for free.

Where to set up

  • Near offices, BPO buildings and colleges
  • In or near big subdivisions
  • On a road with parking for cars and motorbikes
  • In a light-industrial area with warehouses for lease

Mistakes to avoid

  • Empty courts at off-peak hours. Daytime rates, school and coach partnerships, and weekday morning leagues.
  • No-shows and last-minute cancellations. Payment or a deposit to hold a slot, and a clear cancellation rule.
  • Player injuries. Proper mats, clear space around courts, posted rules, a first-aid kit and waivers for tournaments.
  • High electricity bills. LED lights, lights on only for booked courts, and power costed into every hour.

Plan it with the starter kit

The Sports Court Rental · Negosyo Starter Kit has every worksheet behind this guide in a 26-page PDF, plus an Excel calculator: type in your own quotes and it works out your capital, break-even, profit and payback month. It costs ₱349 and downloads right after payment.