Question 1

What is LocalMatch?

Accepted Answer

LocalMatch is a Portuguese platform where you book sports venues and join open games near you. You can book a whole pitch for your group, or just one spot in a game that already has other players waiting.

Question 2

How much does LocalMatch cost?

Accepted Answer

Browsing and signing up are free. You only pay when you book. The price you see before confirming is already the final price: the pitch or spot value plus the LocalMatch service fee, which is 10% of the booking with a minimum of 1 EUR. On a 7.50 EUR spot you pay 9.12 EUR. On a 30 EUR pitch you pay 34.46 EUR.

Question 3

What is included in the service fee?

Accepted Answer

The service fee bundles three parts: the LocalMatch commission (10% of the booking, minimum 1 EUR), the 23% Portuguese VAT on that commission, and the payment processing cost. It shows as its own line at checkout, before you pay, and it is always added on top of the venue price, never deducted from the partner.

Question 4

Does the venue owner pay a commission on my booking?

Accepted Answer

No. The partner sets the net amount they want to receive and receives it in full. The commission, the VAT and the processing costs are added on top and paid by you. That is why your total is slightly higher than the venue price.

Question 5

How do I join a game?

Accepted Answer

Sign up, pick the sport and the area where you want to play, and reserve your spot in an open game. You get a confirmation as soon as the game has enough players.

Question 6

Which payment methods can I use?

Accepted Answer

MB WAY and credit or debit cards (Visa and Mastercard). Payments are processed by Stripe and LocalMatch never stores your card details.

Question 7

When does the money leave my account?

Accepted Answer

If you pay by card, the amount is only held on the card when the game is confirmed, and it is charged the day after the game. If the game does not go ahead, the hold is released and no charge ever happens. With MB WAY the amount is charged at confirmation, because that method cannot be held, and a cancellation then means a refund.

Question 8

Can I cancel? What is the refund policy?

Accepted Answer

You get a full refund if you cancel more than 24 hours before the start. There is no refund in the final 24 hours. If the game is called off or does not reach enough players, the refund is full, whenever it happens. If the date changes, you have 7 days to cancel for a full refund. The policy is the same across the platform.

Question 9

How long does a refund take?

Accepted Answer

When no charge had been taken yet, the usual case for card-paid games, the hold is released and the money never leaves your account. When a charge had been taken, the refund goes back to the same payment method and normally takes 5 to 10 working days, depending on your bank. You always get the full amount you are owed: the processing cost Stripe does not return is absorbed by LocalMatch and is never deducted from your refund or from the partner.

Question 10

Which sports can I play?

Accepted Answer

Football, futsal, padel, volleyball and basketball, among others. The list grows as new venues join the platform.

Question 11

How are teams put together?

Accepted Answer

Team allocation takes the available positions and the preferences of each player into account, to balance the teams automatically. The organiser can always adjust before kick-off.

Question 12

Can I talk to the other players?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every game has a private chat where the players and the organiser coordinate before and after the match.

Question 13

How does the rating system work?

Accepted Answer

After every game, players and partners can rate the experience. Reputation helps keep the environment positive and flags anyone who breaks the rules.

Question 14

When do I have to accept the Terms and Conditions?

Accepted Answer

At sign-up. Before your account becomes active, a dialog lets you read the Terms and Conditions and confirm that you accept them.

Question 15

How do I contact support?

Accepted Answer

Write to support@local-match.com or use the contact form. The team normally replies within one working day.

Question 16

What if there is a payment or booking error?

Accepted Answer

Contact support through the form or at support@local-match.com, giving the date and time of the game. If you were charged in error, the amount is returned in full.

Frequently Asked Questions