Organizer Help: Understanding Refunds on Main Court

Everything organizers need to know about payments, cancellations, and refunds on Main Court.

1) Refund eligibility

• If a player cancels:

  Players can cancel up to 24 hours before the event start time for a refund of the event fee and the Main Court platform fee.

  If a player cancels within 24 hours, no refund is issued. The payout will proceed to the organizer.

• If the organizer cancels (event or player):

  Main Court automatically refunds the player’s event fee + platform fee. Stripe’s processing fee (2.9% + $0.30) is not refunded.

2) Payout timing & notifications (important)

• When payouts trigger: Payments to organizers are automatically triggered 15 minutes before the event start time.
• Notifications you receive: You’ll get a push notification and an email confirmation the moment the payout is triggered.

3) Who handles refunds

• Before payout triggers: Main Court manages refunds automatically according to the rules above.

  After payout triggers (15 minutes before start): Funds are in motion to the organizer. Any refund or payment questions from that point go directly to the organizer.

  • Exception: if the organizer cancels the event or removes a player, Main Court will still issue the appropriate refund of the event fee + platform fee (Stripe fee remains non-refundable).

4) Refund timing to players

Once a refund is initiated, Main Court processes it immediately through Stripe.

• Players typically see the refund within 2–3 days, though it can take up to 5–10 business days depending on the bank/card issuer.

5) Fees and deductions

Stripe fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, not refundable even when a payment is refunded.

Platform fee: Supports Main Court operations. It’s either 2% of the event cost or a fixed amount up to $2.50, depending on the event type.

6) Payment flow summary

1. Player pays (event fee + platform fee; Stripe fee applies).
2. Up to 24 hours before start: player-initiated cancellations receive a refund of event fee + platform fee.
3. Within 24 hours: player cancellations are not refundable.
4. T-15 minutes: payout is triggered to the organizer; push + email confirmation are sent.
5. Organizer cancellations or organizer-removed players: refund of event fee + platform fee (Stripe fee not refunded).

7) Examples

Percentage-based platform fee

• Event cost: $60
• Platform fee (2%): $1.20
• Total processed: $61.20
• Stripe fee: (2.9% of $61.20) + $0.30 ≈ $2.07
• Final charge to player: ≈ $63.34
• If refunded: player receives $61.20; Stripe keeps $2.07.

Fixed platform fee

• Event cost: $60
• Platform fee (fixed): $2.50
• Total processed: $62.50
• Stripe fee: (2.9% of $62.50) + $0.30 ≈ $2.11
• Final charge to player: ≈ $64.61
• If refunded: player receives $62.50; Stripe keeps $2.11.

8) Key takeaways

• No refunds on player cancellations within 24 hours of start.
• Payouts trigger 15 minutes before start with push + email confirmation to the organizer.
• Organizer-initiated cancellations still refund event fee + platform fee; Stripe fee is never refunded.
• Players usually see refunds in 2–3 days, but banks can take up to 5–10 business days.

9) Need help?

Questions about fees, payouts, or refunds: info@maincourt.com