Most rec leagues start the same way: a few people who already play together want regular games, real standings, and less texting. You do not need a board or a big budget. You need gym time, a few teams, and one place where players can sign up and check the schedule.
This guide walks through the steps in order, and shows where My League Portal helps.
1. Lock in your venue and night
Gym time is usually the hardest part to find. Book a regular night first, then count how many games fit. That number sets how many teams you can take and how long the season runs.
2. Decide the format
- Teams: how many, and how many players per roster.
- Season length: number of regular-season weeks, plus playoffs if you want them.
- Who signs up: full teams, single players you place on teams, or both. If you place players, a draft night works well. The draft night guide covers it.
- Fee: what each player or team pays, and how. Cover the gym, referees, and balls first.
3. Write a waiver and simple rules
Most venues and organizers want players to accept a waiver before they play. Keep game rules short: game length, fouls, forfeits, and what happens with ties. The online waiver guide explains how players accept it during sign-up.
4. Open registration
In My League Portal, create your league and season, and share the public registration page. Players accept your waiver as they sign up, and the league owner can download a signed-waiver log from Settings. The season registration guide has more detail.
5. Build the schedule and publish it
Add teams, then add games. On Basic you add games one at a time. On Pro and Enterprise you can also upload a spreadsheet or a calendar file of games and preview it before saving. Players and fans see the schedule, standings, and teams at one link.
6. Run game nights
Score from the bench and keep standings public at the same link. If you also want open gym or pickup nights between games, add a drop-in session with a cap and a waitlist. Set a per-night fee, players choose cash or e-transfer, and see who's paid at a glance (prepaid weeks supported).
How it works in My League Portal
- Create a free account at sign-up and name your league.
- Add your waiver and create the season.
- Share the registration link with players and captains.
- Add teams and games, then share the league link for the schedule and standings.
- Upgrade later if you need to, for example past 50 players or when you want co-admins.
Which plan do you need?
- League Basic: free. Up to 50 players, 1 admin (the owner), 1 active season, and 1 active drop-in session. Digital waivers, a public registration page, and 30-day history are included.
- Pro: $19.99 CAD/month, or $13.99/month billed yearly. Up to 150 players, 3 admins (you plus 2 co-admins), 3 seasons, and 10 active drop-in sessions. It adds PDF waiver upload, custom themes, and a custom fan domain.
- Enterprise: $99.99 CAD/month, or $69.99/month billed yearly. Unlimited players, seasons, drop-ins, and admins. Try it free for 30 days with no card.
There are no setup fees, and you can pause a paid plan from Settings when the season is off. See pricing for the full list.
When My League Portal is not the right fit
- You want a native app with push notifications. My League Portal runs in the phone's browser. There is nothing to install from an app store.
- Large youth associations that need family accounts and many divisions may be better served by tools built for youth sports organizations.
- You need card payments for season fees inside the site. League season fees are not charged through My League Portal. You collect them your usual way.
FAQ
How many teams do I need to start a rec league?
Four teams is a common minimum, because it gives everyone a few different opponents. Six or eight makes a fuller schedule. Start with what your gym time can hold.
Can I run a small league for free?
Yes. League Basic is free with no time limit for up to 50 players, 1 active season, and 1 active drop-in session. It includes a public registration page and digital waivers.
Do players need to download an app to sign up?
No. Players open your league link in the phone browser. There is no app-store app to install.
Can someone help me run the league?
Basic has 1 admin, the owner. Pro adds up to 2 co-admins, for 3 in total. Enterprise has unlimited admins.
More guides
Try it free. Create your free account. There is no setup fee.
See it first: browse the demo league or open its drop-in sign-up page.