Splash Sports handles entry fee collection, live scoring, and automatic payouts — so you can focus on running a great contest. Here's exactly how to get one started.
Step 1: Log In and Click "Create a Contest"
Go to splashsports.com or open the mobile app, then click "Create a Contest" from the top navigation or your dashboard.
Step 2: Choose Your Sport and Format
Select the sport and contest type that fits your group:
Survivor — Players make one pick per week. Get it wrong and you're eliminated. Last one standing wins.
Pick X (Pick'em) — Players pick winners across a full slate of games. Most correct picks wins.
Tiers — Available for PGA, NFL, and NBA. Players select one athlete from each tier and compete based on real-life performance.
One & Done — Players select one player or team per tournament/week and can't use them again. Available for PGA.
Also choose your contest duration:
Season-long
Weekly
Daily
Step 3: Choose Splash-Managed or Entertainment-Only
Splash-Managed (Real-Money): Splash collects entry fees, manages payouts, and handles all compliance. Available in 30+ U.S. states. Recommended for most contests.
Entertainment-Only (Self-Managed): You collect entry fees outside of Splash and pay a platform service fee. Available in all 50 states and Canada. No real-money handling by Splash.
Not sure which to choose? Check the state availability map to see if real-money contests are available in your location.
Step 4: Configure Your Contest Settings
Customize your contest to fit your group:
Entry fee — Set the cost per entry (or $0 for free contests)
Max entries — Set your player cap. Tip: go 20–30% higher than your usual group size to leave room for growth. You can resize down later, but not up.
Multiple entries — Allow players to submit more than one entry if you'd like
Payout structure — Choose how winners get paid:
Overall winner(s)
Tournament-style (top X places)
Weekly payouts (NFL and NCAAF only)
In-season segment payouts
Scoring rules — Review and adjust scoring settings for your format
All contests are private by default. Players need your invite link to join — no strangers can stumble into your contest.
Step 5: Invite Your Players
Once your contest is created, share your unique invite link via:
Text or group chat
Email (directly from the Splash app)
Any other channel you use with your group
Players click the link, create or log into their Splash account, and pay their entry fee — all handled upfront. No chasing payments after the fact.
Step 6: Make Picks and Follow the Action
Once the contest is live:
Players submit their picks through the app or website
Live scoring and real-time leaderboards update automatically
Use the contest chat feed for trash talk and updates
Enable pick reminders so no one misses a deadline
Step 7: Winners Get Paid Automatically
When the contest ends, Splash automatically calculates results and pays out winners based on the structure you set. Winners can withdraw their funds right away — no manual transfers, no awkward Venmo requests.
As the commissioner, if you're enrolled in Commissioner Rewards, your 5% reward is credited automatically too.
💡 Tips Before You Launch
Complete identity verification first — Required for real-money contests. Takes a few minutes. Go to Account → Verify Identity.
Set your contest size generously — You can always resize down if people don't show, but you can't increase the cap after creation.
Test the format first — For NFL contests, formats go live in mid-July. You can create a test contest to get familiar before going live with your full group.
Want to earn as a commissioner? — Opt into Commissioner Rewards when setting up your contest to earn 5% of the rake on every contest you run.
Need help getting started? Email us at support@splashsports.com or chat with us in the Help Center.
Ready to go? Create your contest now →