Contest resizing ensures that private Splash Sports contests can still run and pay out prizes even when they don't fill to their maximum size. Here's how it works.
What Is Contest Resizing?
When a private contest doesn't reach its intended number of entries, Splash automatically adjusts the prize payout to match the number of participants who actually joined. This way the contest still runs, and prizes are still fair relative to the actual entry pool.
Resizing only applies to private contests. Public contests do not resize.
Basic Resizing Rules
Entries > payout spots — the contest runs with adjusted prizes
Entries < payout spots — the contest is cancelled and all entry fees are refunded
Fixed-size contests (where entry count equals participants exactly, e.g. a 5-person contest designed for exactly 5) do not resize
How Payouts Adjust After Resizing
Splash tries to keep the original payout structure as close as possible. If that's not possible with the actual entry count, it selects the nearest available format. Prize amounts scale down proportionally to the number of participants who joined.
Examples:
Winner Take All: Runs with 2+ entries — one winner collects the total prize pool
Top X Win: If fewer than X people join, the contest is cancelled. If X or more join, Top X are paid.
Multiplier Contest Resizing
For Double Up, Triple Up, and Quadruple Up contests, the prize per winner never decreases. Instead, the number of winners adjusts based on actual entries.
Formula: {Entry Fee} × {Actual Entrants} × 0.90 (90% of the total pot is paid out)
The winner count is rounded down if the result is a decimal.
Splash Fee
For Splash-managed contests, a 10% administrative fee applies. For example, in a $10,000 prize contest, winners receive $9,000 after the fee. This fee covers payment processing, identity verification, and platform operations.
Where to View Resizing Rules for Your Contest
On the Contest Details page, click "View contest resizing rules" to see the full payout structure at different entry levels before you join.
Questions? Email support@splashsports.com.