Run basketball games, from tip-off to the final buzzer
SportPadi runs your basketball from the group chat to the final buzzer. Post the run, check players in with a QR code, split fair sides, then keep a full box score live: makes and misses, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, turnovers and fouls. Play four quarters on a clock that stops, or first to 21. Players foul out on their 5th, team fouls put the other side in the bonus, and ties go to overtime.
- Players a side
- Up to 5
- Teams per game
- 2
- Scored in
- Points
- Match clock
- 4 × 40 min, or first to 21
- Clock
- Stops for dead balls
Upcoming basketball events
Browse allNo public basketball events coming up right now. Start one and it shows here.
How basketball works on SportPadi
From creating the event to the final whistle, every step in one place.
- Step 1
Create your basketball event
Start a group for your basketball crew (or use one you run), then post the event: date, tip-off time, venue and a player cap. The venue is mapped automatically, so players nearby find your game when they browse basketball near them.
- One-off games or weekly / monthly repeats
- Public, or private to your group's members
- Free to join, or sell tickets and collect dues
- Every event gets a shareable page with a rich link preview
- Step 2
Players find it and sign up
Players see your basketball event on their home feed, in Browse, and on your group's page. They mark themselves in or buy a ticket, and you see the numbers build before match day.
- Interested and going counts
- Tickets and dues paid online, in your group's currency
- Your group's followers see every public event you post
- Step 3
Check in with a QR code
Each event has its own QR code. Players scan it when they arrive (or you scan their pass), and they drop straight into the player pool. Ticketed events check payment at the gate, so a screenshot doesn't get anyone in.
- Live arrivals list for the organizer
- Attendance history per player
- Late arrivals join the pool without redoing anything
- Step 4
Split into balanced teams
Turn everyone who checked in into two fair sides in one tap, balanced by position. Prefer to pick? Use the draft board, give each team a colour and a captain, and fold late arrivals in evenly.
- Up to 5 players a side
- Auto-balance or draft by hand
- Team colours carry through to the scoreboard
- Balances guards, forwards and centers across the sides
- Step 5
Create the match
Schedule one game or a string of them inside the event: pick the two teams, the format (four timed quarters, or first to 21), and who's officiating. Lineups come from the team, with starters and a bench, and tournaments add squads, brackets and overtime when it's tied.
- 2 teams per game
- Starters, bench and substitutions
- Invite teams to a tournament and collect entry fees
- Step 6
Record stats as they happen
The scorer logs 2 points, 3 points, free throws and fouls live, and the score updates for everyone watching. Five fouls foul a player out. Every entry builds each player's basketball stats.
- 🏀 2 points (+2 · with assist)
- 🎯 3 points (+3 · with assist)
- 🆓 Free throw (+1)
- ✋ Foul (5 = sent off)
- 🔁 Substitution (player on for player off)
- Made and missed shots, so FG%, 3P% and FT% add up
- Step 7
Referee in officiant mode
Officiant mode is a full-screen clock built for the sideline, with stop clock, end quarter and end game controls. Split the work between a timekeeper and a scorer, or do both yourself. Nothing else on screen, and a hold-to-exit so a pocket tap can't end the game.
- Stop clock: The clock runs only while the ball is live — stop it on every whistle.
- End quarter: End the current quarter and start the next one after the break.
- End game: End the game after the 4th quarter (or overtime) — the result comes from the score.
- Timekeeper and scorer roles, swap anytime
- Count-down quarters, with overtime when it's tied
- Team timeouts (FIBA 2 + 3) and an optional 24-second shot clock
- Step 8
Results, stats and leaderboards
When the final buzzer goes, the result is worked out from the score and the match summary is ready to share. Points, assists and fouls go on each player's basketball profile, and your group's leaderboard updates.
- Shareable match summary
- Per-player basketball stats on their profile
- Group and global leaderboards
- XP and achievements for showing up and playing
What a basketball game records
- 2 points+2 · with assist
- 3 points+3 · with assist
- Free throw+1
- Foul5 = sent off
- Substitutionplayer on for player off
Player stats you build
Added up across every basketball game you play, on your profile and the leaderboards.
On your basketball profile
Position: PG, SG, SF, PF, C
Shooting hand: Left, Right
Every kind of basketball
Pickup runs · first to 21
No clock to beat: the first team to 21 (win by 2) takes it, and winners stay on for the next game in the same event. Set any target and margin you like.
5-on-5 full court
Four timed quarters (10 minutes FIBA-style, or 12 like the NBA) on a count-down clock that stops on every whistle, with breaks, half-time and overtime when it's tied.
3-on-3 half court
Small-sided games to a target score. The box score still tracks every make, miss and rebound.
Leagues & tournaments
Invite teams, collect entry fees, build squads, and play every match to the same quarter length, foul-out limit and bonus rule.
Basketball on SportPadi: questions
How do I organize a basketball game on SportPadi?
Create a group, post a basketball event with the date, time and venue, and share the link. Players check in with the event's QR code, SportPadi splits them into balanced teams, and you run the match with live scoring and officiant mode.
What does SportPadi record in a basketball game?
2 points, 3 points, free throws, fouls and substitutions. The score updates live, and each player's totals (points, assists and fouls) are added to their profile.
How are teams balanced?
From the players who actually checked in, spread evenly by position (PG, SG, SF, PF, C…). You can re-shuffle or move players by hand on the draft board.
What is officiant mode?
A full-screen referee view for the timekeeper, with stop clock, end quarter and end game controls. Anyone the organizer adds can officiate, as timekeeper, scorer or both.
Can I play basketball first to 21 instead of timed quarters?
Yes. When you create the game, pick “First to N” and set the target (21 by default) and the winning margin (win by 2). There's no clock to beat, and the game prompts the official to end it the moment a team gets there.
How do fouls work?
Every personal foul is logged against the player, and they foul out on their 5th (6th if you play NBA rules, since you set the number per game). Team fouls count per quarter, and from the 5th the other team is shown as in the bonus.
What happens if it's tied at the end?
The official starts overtime (5 minutes by default), and it repeats until someone wins. Overtime fouls count toward the 4th quarter, as in the rulebook.
Does it keep a proper box score?
Yes: points, rebounds (offensive and defensive), assists, steals, blocks, turnovers and fouls, plus field goals, 3-pointers and free throws made and attempted, with percentages. There's a line score by quarter too.
Is SportPadi free?
Creating a group, posting events, check-in, teams and live scoring are free. Selling tickets and collecting payments uses a paid group plan, and a small processing fee applies to each payment.
Your next basketball game starts here
Free to start. Create a group, post the game, and let SportPadi handle check-in, teams and the scoresheet.
Or get the app