This guide walks you through creating a Splash-managed NCAAB Pick’em contest, where Splash collects entry fees and automatically distributes payouts to winners.
If you’re looking to run a real-money Pick’em contest for March Madness, this is the correct option to select during contest creation.
Splash-Managed NCAAB Pick’em
How to Create Your Real-Money Contest
This guide walks you through creating a Splash-managed NCAAB Pick’em contest, where Splash collects entry fees and automatically distributes payouts to winners.
If you’re looking to run a real-money Pick’em contest for March Madness, this is the correct option to select during contest creation.
Step 1: Select Contest Type
When prompted to choose your contest type:
Select NCAAB
Choose NCAAB Pick’em
This ensures you are creating a Splash-managed real-money Pick’em contest, not an Entertainment-Only (EO) format, this option will not be available.
Contest Setup
Contest Information
Contest Title (Required)
Enter the name of your contest.
Example: 2026 March Madness Pick’em Challenge
This is what participants will see when they join.
Contest Description
Add optional details about:
Rules specific to your group
Tiebreaker instructions
Prize breakdown (if custom)
Any group notes or reminders
This section helps clarify expectations for participants.
Contest Banner
Upload a custom banner to personalize your contest, available for Splash-managed contests only.
Requirements:
Maximum file size: 4 MB
Recommended dimensions: 2880 x 170 pixels
Accepted formats: PNG, JPG, JPEG
A banner is optional but recommended for a polished experience.
Gameplay Settings
Sport & Game Style
Sport: NCAAB
Game Style: NCAAB Pick’em
This confirms you are running a traditional college basketball Pick’em format.
Schedule
Select Contest Days
You can:
Select All Days, or
Manually choose specific days to include in your contest
Use “Show All” to expand the full tournament schedule.
This allows you to control whether your contest runs:
The entire tournament
Specific rounds only
Custom date ranges
Entry Settings
Entry Fee
Select your desired entry fee.
Splash will:
Collect entry fees from all entrants
Securely process payments
Automatically distribute payouts to winners
Participants will see the entry fee before joining.
Commissioner Rewards (Optional)
You will see the option: “Opt in to Commissioner rewards?” If enabled:
Splash deducts 7.5% for payment processing and administrative fees
An additional 5% is paid directly to you as the commissioner
This allows commissioners to earn compensation for running the contest.
Contest Size
Select the estimated number of entries.
This helps:
Structure prize pool projections
Optimize contest configuration
If your contest does not reach the projected size, it will automatically adjust (size down).
Contest Details
General Settings
Invite Only
Only users with your contest link or invitation can join.
Chat
On or Off
Enables/disables in-contest chat for participants.
Pick Deadline
First Game of Slate or Each Game Start:
Picks Per Day
All Games or up to 15 picks per day
Entrants will:
Make selections for every game in each slate
Pick winners for all matchups included that day
Pick Scoring
Straight Up
Participants earn points for correctly picking the game winner (no spread).
Against the Spread
Participants need to cover the spread in order to win
Advanced Settings
Weighted Scoring
Allows certain games to carry more value than others (if enabled).
Have the ability to edit the weight per day
Best Pick
Highlights a participant’s strongest pick selection (if enabled)
Prize Pool Splitting Eligibility
“Make Prizepool eligible for splitting?”
If enabled:
Remaining entrants can unanimously agree to split the prize pool
Useful in late-stage contests with limited participants
If disabled:
Standard payout structure applies
No voluntary prize splitting
What Happens Next?
Once you complete setup:
Review your contest settings
Publish your contest
Share your invite link
Participants join and submit picks
Splash handles entry collection and automated payouts