EvenSide — Terms of Service
1. Introduction and Acceptance
1.1. These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the EvenSide mobile application (“App”), website, and related services (collectively, the “Platform”), operated by [company legal name], a company registered in England and Wales under company number [company number], with its registered office at [registered address] (“EvenSide”, “we”, “us”, or “our”).
1.2. By creating an account, accessing, or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms, our Privacy Policy, Community Guidelines, and Cancellation & Refund Policy, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
1.3. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform.
1.4. We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. We will notify you of material changes via the App or email. Your continued use of the Platform after such notification constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.
2. Platform Description and Intermediary Role
2.1. EvenSide is a sports booking and match organisation platform that enables users to:
- Create and join football matches
- Book venue slots at third-party sports facilities
- Organise teams, vote on match results, and track player performance
- Communicate with other players via chat and social features
2.2. EvenSide acts as an intermediary and cost-sharing facilitator. For user-organised matches we provide the tools that let an organiser arrange a match and let the players who take part share the cost of the pitch between them. We are not the provider of the sports facilities, pitches, or venues, which are owned and operated by independent third parties (“Venue Operators”). For these matches we are not a party to, and take no margin on, the underlying pitch hire — our role is to facilitate the booking and the splitting of its cost, in return for a separately-stated EvenSide fee.
2.2.1. The Platform supports three ways to play, governed by different parts of these Terms:
- (a) User cost-shared matches — an organiser pays for the pitch and the players reimburse their share; EvenSide facilitates and charges a fee but does not profit from the pitch (Sections 6 and 8).
- (b) Venue slot bookings (OpenActive) — you book a slot directly with a Venue Operator, with EvenSide acting as broker (Section 6.2).
- (c) EvenSide-hosted Matches (“EvenSide Matches”), where offered — EvenSide itself arranges and pays for the pitch and offers places to players. Here EvenSide acts as principal and the amount you pay is for a service supplied by EvenSide. This model may not be available in all areas or at all times.
2.2.2. Agency and the parties to a match. By creating a cost-shared match, the organiser appoints EvenSide as their agent for the limited purpose of collecting Pitch Cost Contributions from players on the organiser’s behalf and paying them on to the organiser as reimbursement (Section 8). Each player’s Pitch Cost Contribution is collected by EvenSide as agent for the organiser. This appointment includes express authority for EvenSide, where a player leaves after the match is confirmed (or, for matches without a minimum-players setting, after the refund cutoff), to re-offer the vacated place at a price EvenSide sets and varies (which may reduce as kickoff approaches) and to retain the re-filling payment as EvenSide’s own disclosed fee — with the organiser always reimbursed first, up to the pitch cost (see the Cancellation & Refund Policy, Section 3A). The cost-sharing arrangement for a match is between the organiser and the players who join it: EvenSide is not a party to that arrangement and is not the supplier of the pitch.
2.2.3. Organisers act in a personal capacity. By creating a cost-shared match you confirm that you are acting as a private individual sharing the cost of your own activity, and not in the course of a trade, business or profession.
2.3. When you book a venue slot through the Platform, you enter into a separate contractual relationship with the Venue Operator. EvenSide facilitates this booking as a broker but is not a party to the contract between you and the Venue Operator.
2.4. EvenSide does not guarantee the availability, quality, safety, or suitability of any venue, pitch, or facility listed on the Platform.
3. Eligibility
3.1. You must be at least 18 years old to create an account and use the Platform independently.
3.2. Users aged 13 to 17 may use the Platform only with the verifiable consent of a parent or legal guardian. The parent or guardian is responsible for all activity on the minor’s account and agrees to these Terms on the minor’s behalf.
3.3. Users under the age of 13 are not permitted to use the Platform under any circumstances, in compliance with applicable data protection laws.
3.4. By creating an account, you represent and warrant that:
- You meet the age requirements stated above
- You have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms
- All information you provide is accurate and complete
- You are not prohibited from using the Platform under any applicable law
4. Account Registration and Security
4.1. To use the Platform, you must register for an account by providing a valid email address and creating a password.
4.2. You are responsible for:
- Maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials
- All activity that occurs under your account
- Notifying us immediately of any unauthorised access to or use of your account
4.3. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update such information as necessary.
4.4. You may not:
- Create more than one account per person
- Share your account credentials with any third party
- Use another person’s account without their permission
- Create an account using false or misleading information
4.5. We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account if we reasonably believe that any information you have provided is inaccurate, incomplete, or fraudulent.
5. Account Tiers and Subscriptions
5.1. The Platform offers the following account tiers, each with different benefits:
- Standard — Free tier with full access to core features. Standard EvenSide fees apply to match bookings.
- Pro — Reduced EvenSide fees (currently 50% discount). Access to enhanced features.
- VIP — No EvenSide fees (100% discount). Access to all premium features.
5.2. Account tier benefits, including EvenSide fee discounts, are subject to change. We will notify you of any material changes to your tier benefits with reasonable advance notice.
5.3. Where applicable, subscription payments for premium tiers are managed through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and are subject to their respective terms and refund policies.
5.4. We may also assign special account tiers (such as Staff) at our sole discretion for internal or promotional purposes.
6. Match Creation and Booking
6.1. Creating a User Cost-Shared Match
6.1.1. When you create a match you tell us the total cost of the pitch you are hiring and the match capacity, along with details such as title, format (e.g. 5-a-side, 7-a-side, 11-a-side), surface, date and time. EvenSide divides the pitch cost by the capacity to calculate each player’s Pitch Cost Contribution, rounded down so that the players’ contributions can never add up to more than the pitch cost.
6.1.2. To create a cost-shared match you must confirm two declarations: (a) that the pitch cost you have entered is truthful and is what you are paying the venue; and (b) that you are sharing the cost only and are not seeking to profit from other players. Entering a cost higher than you actually pay, or otherwise seeking to profit, is a breach of these Terms.
6.1.3. The organiser does not make money from a cost-shared match. After the match, EvenSide reimburses the organiser the Pitch Cost Contributions collected from the other players, up to — but never more than — the total pitch cost (see Section 8). To receive reimbursement the organiser must connect a payout account with our payment processor, Stripe.
6.1.4. The user who creates a match is the initial match administrator (“Match Admin”), with the responsibilities and rights described in Section 7. Matches may be set as public (visible to all users) or private (visible only to invited groups).
6.2. Venue Slot Booking (OpenActive)
6.2.1. The Platform enables booking of venue slots at third-party facilities through the OpenActive standard. When booking a venue slot:
- You will be shown a disclosure confirming that you are booking directly with the Venue Operator, with EvenSide facilitating the booking on your behalf
- You must accept this disclosure before proceeding
- You may receive a separate confirmation email directly from the Venue Operator
- The booking is subject to the Venue Operator’s own terms and conditions
6.2.2. Venue slot prices are set by the Venue Operator. EvenSide charges a separate EvenSide fee on top of the venue price (see Section 8).
6.2.3. Venue slot availability is provided in real-time by the Venue Operator and may change without notice. EvenSide does not guarantee slot availability.
6.3. Joining a Match
6.3.1. You join a match by agreeing to pay your Pitch Cost Contribution plus the applicable EvenSide fee.
6.3.2. When payment is taken (cost-shared matches). A card authorisation cannot be held indefinitely, so for cost-shared matches you confirm and authorise your payment within 7 days before kickoff. If you express interest earlier, you hold an “awaiting confirmation” place with no payment taken, and we prompt you to confirm and pay once the match is within 7 days. When your authorised payment is captured (charged) depends on the match:
- Matches with a minimum-players setting: your payment is captured when the match is confirmed — the first moment, at or after the refund cutoff, that enough players have joined (the match screen shows how many players are needed and the decision time). If the match is not confirmed by its decision time, it is cancelled and every hold is released in full. If you join after the match has confirmed, your payment is captured immediately.
- Other cost-shared matches: your payment is captured at the match’s refund cutoff (by default 48 hours before kickoff); if you join within that window, it is captured immediately.
For venue slot bookings and EvenSide-hosted Matches, payment is authorised when you book and captured when the booking is confirmed.
6.3.3. Match capacity is limited. Once a match is full, additional users may be placed on a waitlist where available and offered a place if one opens up.
7. Match Administration
7.1. Match Admins have the following rights and responsibilities:
- Confirming or cancelling matches
- Assigning teams (manually or via captains draft mode)
- Removing participants (with reason)
- Granting or revoking Match Admin status to other participants
7.2. Match Admins must exercise their rights fairly and in good faith. Repeated abuse of Match Admin privileges may result in account sanctions.
7.3. EvenSide is not responsible for decisions made by Match Admins, including but not limited to participant removal, team selection, or match cancellation.
8. Payments, Cost-Sharing and Reimbursement
8.1. All payments are processed in British Pounds Sterling (GBP) through our payment processor, Stripe.
8.2. What you pay (cost-shared matches). Your payment has two separate parts, both shown before you confirm: your Pitch Cost Contribution (your share of the pitch cost, which goes towards reimbursing the organiser) and the EvenSide fee (our separate charge for providing the Platform). EvenSide takes no margin on the pitch cost itself; we are paid only through the EvenSide fee.
8.3. EvenSide fee and discounts. The EvenSide fee is displayed at checkout before you confirm. Users on Pro, VIP or other eligible tiers may receive fee discounts as described in Section 5.
8.4. Authorisation and capture. For cost-shared matches, your payment is authorised when you confirm your place. For a match with a minimum-players setting, it is captured when the match is confirmed — the first moment, at or after the refund cutoff, that enough players have joined (the decision time by which this must happen is shown on the match screen; a match not confirmed by its decision time is cancelled and every hold is released). For other cost-shared matches, it is captured at the refund cutoff (by default 48 hours before kickoff), or immediately if you join within that window (see Section 6.3). For venue slot bookings and EvenSide-hosted Matches, your payment is authorised when you book and captured when the booking is confirmed. If a booking is not confirmed, the authorisation is released.
8.5. Reimbursing the organiser (cost-shared matches). After the match has taken place and any dispute window has passed, EvenSide transfers to the organiser the Pitch Cost Contributions collected from the other players who took part, capped at the total pitch cost. The organiser can never receive more than they paid for the pitch — a cost-shared match cannot produce a profit for the organiser. Where a contribution was collected but the player later left or was removed without a refund, that contribution still goes towards reimbursing the organiser, never to EvenSide.
Rounding top-up on full matches. Because each Pitch Cost Contribution is rounded down, the contributions on a full match can add up to slightly less than the pitch cost (by at most a few pence). Where a match captures at full capacity and meets our published eligibility criteria, EvenSide may add that rounding difference to the organiser’s reimbursement at EvenSide’s own cost, so the organiser bears no more than the standard per-player share. Any such top-up is funded by EvenSide, is never taken from player payments, and never results in the organiser receiving more than the total pitch cost.
8.6. EvenSide-hosted Matches. Where EvenSide hosts a match (Section 2.2.1(c)), you are paying EvenSide for a place in a match that EvenSide has arranged, and the full amount is consideration for EvenSide’s own service.
8.7. EvenSide Points. Any loyalty points or rewards (“EvenSide Points”) have no cash value, are non-transferable and non-withdrawable, and are never linked to the amounts you pay, contribute, or are reimbursed. Points can never be exchanged for money and form no part of any payment, Pitch Cost Contribution, fee or reimbursement.
8.8. Minimum payment: the minimum transaction amount is 50 pence (GBP 0.50).
8.9. Supported payment methods: major credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay through Stripe.
8.10. Failed payments: if a payment fails, your participation may be cancelled. We may attempt to recover failed payments automatically.
8.11. You are responsible for ensuring your payment method is valid and has sufficient funds. EvenSide is not liable for fees or charges imposed by your bank or payment provider.
8.12. Verifying the pitch cost and enforcing the no-profit cap (cost-shared matches).
- Keep your proof. As the organiser of a cost-shared match, you are responsible for keeping proof of what you paid, or are due to pay, the venue — for example a booking confirmation, invoice, receipt, or card or bank statement entry — for at least 6 months after the match date.
- We may ask for it. We may ask you to provide that proof at any time, including on a random basis or where a match has been flagged for review. If we ask, you must provide adequate proof within 7 days.
- Holding reimbursement during a review. While a review of your match is open, we may hold your organiser reimbursement for that match. This does not affect the other players’ bookings or their right to a refund — only your reimbursement is paused.
- If the cost was overstated or unproven. If you do not provide adequate proof within the time given, or if the proof shows you charged players more than the pitch cost, we may withhold and reverse your reimbursement for that match, return any excess to the affected players, restrict your ability to organise further matches, and, in serious or repeated cases, suspend or terminate your account in accordance with Section 20. Entering a pitch cost higher than the amount you actually pay, or otherwise seeking to profit from a cost-shared match, is a material breach of these Terms.
- We never keep it as profit. Any pitch contributions we withhold under this section are never retained by EvenSide as profit; they are returned to the affected players.
9. Cancellation and Refunds
9.1. Our cancellation and refund terms are set out in full in our separate Cancellation & Refund Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.
9.2. Summary of key points:
- Each match has a refund cutoff time, calculated from the match start time
- You may cancel your participation and receive a full refund (your Pitch Cost Contribution + the EvenSide fee) before the refund cutoff
- On a match with a minimum-players setting, you can leave free of charge at any time until the match is confirmed, even after the refund cutoff — your payment hold is released in full, including the EvenSide fee
- A match with a minimum-players setting that is not confirmed by its decision time is automatically cancelled and nobody is charged
- Once a match is confirmed (or, where no minimum is set, after the refund cutoff), cancellation with a refund is not available; where the App offers them, you may still leave under the replacement or forfeit terms in the Cancellation & Refund Policy (Section 3A)
- A Match Admin cannot cancel a match after it has started; if a match is cancelled by the Match Admin or by EvenSide before kickoff, all participants receive a full refund
- No-show participants (those who do not attend without cancelling) will be charged in full
- Initiating a bank chargeback without contacting us first may incur a £[25] handling fee (see the Cancellation & Refund Policy)
9.3. Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 5 to 10 business days.
9.4. For venue bookings made through OpenActive, the Venue Operator’s own cancellation policy may also apply.
10. Match Voting and Player Rating System
10.1. Post-Match Voting
10.1.1. After a match is completed, participants may vote on match results through our post-match interview system. Votes include:
- Winning team and goal difference
- Most Valuable Player (MVP)
- Elite players (top performers)
- Player commendations and avoidances
10.1.2. Match results are determined by majority vote. In the event of a tie, the result defaults to a draw.
10.2. Player Skill Rating (PSR)
10.2.1. The Platform maintains a Player Skill Rating (PSR) system that reflects your performance based on match results and peer votes.
10.2.2. Your PSR is affected by:
- Match results (wins, draws, losses)
- MVP awards (awarded to winning team members only)
- Elite player recognition (top 50% of commend votes; ties at the threshold are excluded)
- Fairplay score
10.2.3. PSR scores are calculated automatically and cannot be manually adjusted by users. The algorithm may be updated from time to time.
10.3. Fairplay Score
10.3.1. Your fairplay score reflects your conduct as reported by other players through the avoidance/commendation system.
10.3.2. A declining fairplay score may result in reduced visibility in match searches or, in severe cases, account sanctions.
10.4. Integrity
10.4.1. All voting must be conducted honestly. Attempting to manipulate votes, collude with other users to influence results, or deliberately misrepresent match outcomes is a violation of these Terms and may result in account sanctions.
11. Community Guidelines
11.1. By using the Platform, you agree to abide by the following community standards. These are essential to maintaining a positive, safe, and enjoyable environment for all users.
11.2. Fair Play and Sportsmanship
- Play fairly and respect the rules of the game
- Accept match results gracefully, whether you win or lose
- Do not intentionally injure or endanger other players
- Represent your skill level honestly within the PSR system
11.3. Respect and Conduct
- Treat all users with respect, both on and off the pitch
- Do not engage in harassment, bullying, intimidation, or discrimination of any kind, including but not limited to discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability
- Do not use abusive, offensive, or threatening language in chat messages, match titles, or any other user-generated content
11.4. Punctuality and Reliability
- Arrive on time for matches you have joined
- If you cannot attend, cancel in good time — before the refund cutoff or, on a match with a minimum-players setting, before the match is confirmed — so your spot can be filled
- Repeated no-shows may result in account sanctions
11.5. Facility Care
- Respect the venue and its equipment
- Follow any venue-specific rules communicated by the Venue Operator
- Report any damage or safety concerns to the Match Admin and venue staff
11.6. Communication Standards
- Use the chat feature responsibly and respectfully
- Do not send spam, unsolicited advertising, or promotional content
- Do not share other users’ personal information without their consent
11.7. Reporting and Enforcement
- Report violations of these guidelines using the Platform’s reporting features
- EvenSide will investigate reports and take appropriate action
- Enforcement follows a graduated approach:
- Warning — for first or minor offences
- Temporary suspension — for repeated or moderate offences
- Permanent ban — for severe or persistent offences
- Banned users will be notified of the reason for the ban
- Users may appeal a ban by contacting us at [support email]
12. User-Generated Content
12.1. “User Content” means any content you create, upload, or share through the Platform, including but not limited to profile information, display names, avatars, bios, match titles, and chat messages.
12.2. You retain ownership of your User Content. However, by submitting User Content to the Platform, you grant EvenSide a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, sublicensable licence to use, reproduce, modify, display, and distribute your User Content in connection with operating and promoting the Platform.
12.3. You represent and warrant that:
- You own or have the necessary rights to your User Content
- Your User Content does not infringe the intellectual property or other rights of any third party
- Your User Content complies with these Terms and applicable law
12.4. We reserve the right to remove or disable access to any User Content that violates these Terms, without prior notice.
12.5. Image uploads are subject to the following restrictions:
- Maximum file size: 5 MB
- Accepted formats: JPEG, PNG, WebP
- Minimum dimensions: 200 x 200 pixels
- Images may be automatically compressed for storage efficiency
13. Intellectual Property
13.1. The Platform, including its design, code, features, logos, trademarks, and all content created by EvenSide, is the property of [company legal name] and is protected by intellectual property laws.
13.2. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable licence to access and use the Platform for your personal, non-commercial use, subject to these Terms.
13.3. You may not:
- Copy, modify, or create derivative works based on the Platform
- Reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble any part of the Platform
- Use any automated means (bots, scrapers, etc.) to access or collect data from the Platform
- Use EvenSide’s trademarks, logos, or branding without prior written consent
14. Prohibited Conduct
14.1. In addition to the Community Guidelines in Section 11, you agree not to:
- Use the Platform for any unlawful purpose
- Impersonate any person or entity
- Interfere with or disrupt the Platform’s operation or security
- Attempt to gain unauthorised access to any part of the Platform
- Circumvent any security or access controls
- Upload malicious code, viruses, or harmful content
- Use the Platform to collect personal data of other users for commercial purposes
- Create matches or bookings with the intent to defraud other users or Venue Operators
15. Limitation of Liability
15.1. Assumption of Risk. You acknowledge that participation in sports activities, including football matches organised through the Platform, carries inherent risks of physical injury. By participating in any match or activity facilitated through the Platform, you voluntarily assume all risks of injury, illness, or death arising from such participation.
15.2. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, EvenSide shall not be liable for:
- Any injury, loss, or damage arising from participation in matches or use of venues
- The condition, safety, or suitability of any venue or facility
- The accuracy of information provided by Venue Operators or other users
- The conduct, actions, or omissions of other users or Venue Operators
- Any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages
- Loss of data, revenue, profits, or business opportunities
15.3. EvenSide’s total aggregate liability to you for all claims arising from or related to the Platform shall not exceed the total amount you have paid to EvenSide in the 12 months preceding the claim.
15.4. Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for:
- Death or personal injury caused by our negligence
- Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation
- Any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited under English law
16. Indemnification
16.1. You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless EvenSide, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from:
- Your use of the Platform
- Your violation of these Terms
- Your violation of any applicable law or the rights of any third party
- Your User Content
- Your participation in matches or use of venues
17. Third-Party Services
17.1. The Platform integrates with and relies upon third-party services, including but not limited to:
- Stripe — for payment processing
- Supabase — for data storage and authentication
- Expo / Firebase — for push notifications
- OpenActive / EveryoneActive — for venue slot booking
17.2. Your use of these third-party services is subject to their respective terms and privacy policies. EvenSide is not responsible for the availability, accuracy, or performance of third-party services.
17.3. EvenSide is not liable for any loss or damage arising from the failure, interruption, or error of any third-party service.
18. Privacy and Data Protection
18.1. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal data is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.
18.2. By using the Platform, you consent to the collection and processing of your data as described in the Privacy Policy.
18.3. We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
19. Push Notifications
19.1. With your consent, we may send you push notifications relating to:
- Chat messages and reactions
- Match updates and invitations
- Friend requests
- Booking confirmations and cancellations
- Administrative notices
19.2. You can manage your notification preferences through your device settings at any time.
20. Suspension and Termination
20.1. By You: You may deactivate your account at any time by contacting us at [support email]. Upon deactivation, your account will be disabled and your personal data will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
20.2. By Us: We may suspend or terminate your account if:
- You breach these Terms or any incorporated policies
- We reasonably believe your account has been compromised
- We are required to do so by law or regulatory authority
- Your conduct poses a risk to the safety or well-being of other users
20.3. Where practicable, we will provide you with reasonable notice and an explanation before suspending or terminating your account. In cases of serious or urgent violations, we may act immediately.
20.4. Upon termination:
- Your right to use the Platform ceases immediately
- Any pending bookings may be cancelled and refunded in accordance with our Cancellation & Refund Policy
- Provisions that by their nature should survive termination (including liability limitations, indemnification, and dispute resolution) shall survive
21. Dispute Resolution
21.1. If you have a dispute with EvenSide, we encourage you to contact us first at [support email] so we can attempt to resolve it informally.
21.2. If an informal resolution is not possible, the dispute shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, and you agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
21.3. If you are a consumer resident in the European Union, you may also use the European Commission’s Online Dispute Resolution platform at https://ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.
21.4. Nothing in this section limits your statutory rights as a consumer under applicable law.
22. Force Majeure
22.1. EvenSide shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performing its obligations under these Terms where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to:
- Natural disasters, epidemics, or pandemics
- Acts of war, terrorism, or civil unrest
- Government actions, sanctions, or regulatory changes
- Strikes, labour disputes, or industrial action
- Failure of third-party services, internet, or telecommunications infrastructure
- Power outages or technical failures
22.2. In such events, our obligations will be suspended for the duration of the force majeure event.
23. General Provisions
23.1. Entire Agreement. These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, Cancellation & Refund Policy, and Community Guidelines, constitute the entire agreement between you and EvenSide regarding the Platform.
23.2. Severability. If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
23.3. Waiver. Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
23.4. Assignment. You may not assign or transfer your rights or obligations under these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign our rights and obligations without restriction.
23.5. Governing Law. These Terms are governed by the laws of England and Wales.
23.6. Language. These Terms are provided in English. In the event of any translation, the English version shall prevail.
24. Contact Us
If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us at:
- Email: [support email]
- Address: [registered address]
- Website: https://www.evenside.gg