Most CourtPass venues are unstaffed, so you let yourself in with the credential delivered with your booking. How you get in depends on the venue's door hardware. The most common method today — and the live setup in production — is a 4-digit PIN typed on the door keypad (UniFi Access). Some access providers also support phone tap / NFC keys; whether that's available depends entirely on the hardware your venue installed.
Where the PIN is
After you book, you receive:
- Email with the PIN prominently displayed
- SMS (if you verified your phone) with the PIN in the message body
- In the app — your PIN (and a scannable QR) appear on the booking. During your booking window your phone also shows a "Court access ready" reminder — a Live Activity on iOS, a pinned notification on Android — with a countdown to when your session ends.
- Your code stays private. That reminder deliberately does not show the code itself, because anyone who could see your locked phone would then be able to open the door. Unlock your phone to see the code in the notification (Android), or tap the reminder to open CourtPass (iOS). It's one extra moment, and it means a glance over your shoulder — or a lost phone — doesn't hand someone the keys to the venue.
- Web → Bookings → click your booking — PIN shown in the Access block
The PIN is unique to your booking. Don't share it — anyone with the PIN can enter during your booking window.
When the PIN works
The PIN is valid:
- From about 15 minutes before your booking start
- Until about 15 minutes after your booking end
Inside that window, type the PIN on the keypad at the door, the door clicks open. Outside the window, the PIN doesn't work — you can't squeeze in early or stay late.
The exact pre-/post-window depends on the venue (some are stricter, e.g. exactly on the booking time).
Using the PIN
- Walk to the door.
- Find the keypad — usually a UniFi Access reader on the wall next to the door.
- Type your 4 digits.
- The reader beeps, the door clicks open, you have ~8 seconds to push it open.
If it doesn't work first try:
- You may have mistyped — try again
- The booking may have been cancelled / rescheduled — check your email
- The PIN may be revoked if a refund was issued (cancelled bookings revoke immediately)
- The venue's gateway may be down — call the venue's listed contact
Multi-door venues
Some venues have multiple doors (main entry, court-specific, change rooms). The same PIN unlocks all doors in your booking's facility within the time window. If you're not sure which door is yours, the email says "Front entry" or "Court 1 door" or similar.
After your booking
The PIN is automatically revoked at the end of the post-window. To re-enter the venue you'd need a new booking.
If you accidentally locked yourself out (left your bag inside, etc.):
- Some venues have a 5-minute grace period — try the PIN again
- After that, contact the venue's emergency line (printed on the door)
Cameras
Most CourtPass venues run cameras at each door / on each court for safety. Footage is held for the venue's retention period (usually 30–90 days) and accessed only for incident review.
You're entering a venue with cameras when you book — no separate consent flow.
Kiosk bookings
If you walked up to the venue without a prior booking and used an iPad to book (a "kiosk" booking), the same PIN process applies — you'll receive the PIN via SMS to the phone number you entered, and the door reader accepts it just like a regular booking.
What about fobs and phone keys?
It depends on your venue's access provider. CourtPass supports several access systems, and some of them offer NFC key cards and mobile (phone) keys in addition to PINs. Whether you get a phone key or a fob is down to the hardware your venue runs and how they've set it up.
In production today, PIN entry is the live reality — that's what you'll use at the keypad. If your venue issues phone keys or fobs, they'll tell you. Either way, keep your credential private: don't share your PIN, don't write it on the wall.
Common scenarios
"I've arrived but the PIN doesn't work"
- Confirm the booking is still active (Bookings → status = Confirmed)
- Confirm the time — are you inside the window?
- Try typing the PIN again slowly
- Some keypads have a # or * to "submit" after the digits — check for instructions on the keypad
- If still no joy, call the venue's emergency line (on the door / in the booking email)
"I lost my phone and can't see my PIN"
- Log in from any browser → Bookings → click the booking → PIN block.
- If you can't even sign in, request a password reset — once in, the PIN is there.
"I want to bring guests"
The PIN unlocks the door once per type. If you bring a friend, they enter with you. Don't share the PIN ahead of time — they should arrive with you and walk in together.
If your venue's policy requires separate registration of every guest, follow their guidance — bringing unregistered guests can void your booking insurance.
"I'm running late — will my booking still work?"
Yes, until the post-window expires (usually +15 minutes). After that, you've lost the slot. No partial refund for late arrival.
"The door is already open"
Some venues hold doors open during peak hours. In that case, walk in. The PIN's still valid for the duration; if the door re-locks while you're inside, you can use it again to re-enter.
← Memberships · Next: Cancelling and refunds →