The verdict in three sentences
A mini-football or padel complex that books by phone loses its best slots to no-shows: teams block a pitch on Friday night, never show up, and nobody else could book it. A self-service app with a Wave deposit at booking turns every slot into a paid commitment. 2026 result: phantom slots down 80 %, a readable multi-pitch calendar and team subscriptions that build loyalty.
Phone booking vs self-service app
The phone creates a human queue and unguaranteed bookings. Here is the gap seen at a 3-pitch complex in Dakar (2026 order of magnitude).
| Metric | Phone booking | Self-service app |
|---|---|---|
| Phantom slots/week | 15 | 3 |
| Deposit collected | no | yes (Wave) |
| Slots booked outside office hours | lost | 40 % of total |
| Admin time/day | 120 min | 15 min |
| Fill rate peak hours | 72 % | 91 % |
| Slot disputes | frequent | near zero |
The app shows each pitch's availability live. A player books at midnight if they want, pays a Wave deposit and the slot is locked. No more "I'll confirm tomorrow" bookings that never happen.
Pricing, subscriptions and 2026 cost
The peak/off-peak model and team subscriptions smooth the fill rate and secure recurring revenue.
| Module | Content | 2026 range (FCFA) |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-pitch calendar | View per pitch, 1h/1h30 slots | 500,000 – 700,000 |
| Wave deposit at booking | 30 to 50 % to lock | included |
| Peak/off-peak pricing | Peak 20,000, off-peak 12,000 | included |
| Team subscription | Fixed weekly slot, tiered rate | +150,000 |
| Stats & no-show | Fill per pitch and per hour | 900,000 – 1,000,000 |
Delivery time: 6 to 8 weeks. The Wave deposit is the heart of the system: it moves phantom slots from 15 to 3 per week.
Mini case study
Modou runs a 3-pitch mini-football complex in Parcelles. A peak hour rents at 20,000 FCFA. Before the app, he lost 15 phantom slots/week, or 300,000 FCFA in missed revenue. With the Wave deposit, he drops to 3 phantom slots: 240,000 FCFA recovered per week, roughly 1,000,000 FCFA/month. The app (700,000 FCFA) pays for itself in under three weeks, before even counting team subscriptions.
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FAQ
Why require a Wave deposit at booking?
Because it is the only way to eliminate phantom slots. A 30 to 50 % deposit turns intent into commitment; booked-never-played slots drop from 15 to 3 per week.
Can we manage several pitches at once?
Yes, the multi-pitch calendar shows each pitch separately with its slots, and a player sees at a glance what is free at the desired time.
How does peak/off-peak pricing work?
You set the bands: for example 20,000 FCFA evenings and weekends, 12,000 FCFA on weekday daytime. The app applies the right rate automatically and smooths the fill.
Are team subscriptions supported?
Yes. A team can book a fixed weekly slot at a tiered rate, which secures recurring revenue and keeps regular players loyal.
How long before go-live?
Between 6 and 8 weeks depending on the number of pitches, Wave integration and whether subscriptions are included.
Let's talk about your project. We calibrate the app to your number of pitches and your pricing grid. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
