From Dugouts to Drop-Ins: Attracting Sports Teams This Summer

As the weather heats up and the baseball bats come out, there’s a major opportunity knocking at your Family Entertainment Center's door: sports teams. Whether it’s little leagues, travel teams, or weekend warriors, these groups are looking for ways to bond, celebrate, and blow off some steam after a game.

With the right promotions and messaging, marketing to sports teams can be your golden ticket to boosting your Family Entertainment Center group bookings all summer long.

From Dugouts to Drop-Ins: Attracting Sports Teams This Summer

Here’s how to craft offers and digital ads that knock it out of the park—and keep coaches and players coming back for more.

1. Make Your FEC the Go-To for Post-Game Celebrations

There’s nothing like a slice of pizza and some arcade fun to celebrate a win or shake off a tough loss. Create sports team-friendly packages that include food, gameplay, and a space for the team to hang out.

Think:

• Post-Game Pizza Parties: Bundle 2 slices, a drink, and a game card into a flat-rate team deal.
• Team MVP Discounts: Offer a free attraction or prize for the team’s MVP, voted on by the coach or teammates.
• Coach Appreciation Perks: Provide coaches with a complimentary drink or small gift to thank them for choosing your venue.

These small touches go a long way in turning a one-time visit into a season-long tradition.

2. Promote with Purpose: Digital Ads That Speak to Coaches and Team Parents

To really win at marketing to sports teams, your promotions should speak directly to decision-makers—usually coaches and team parents.

Use language that addresses their pain points:

• Need a stress-free way to celebrate a win?
• Looking for a fun, affordable team outing?
• Want to reward your players for their hard work?

Running Facebook and Instagram ads with clear, simple offers (like “Team Packages Starting at $15/Player”) can help you stand out in their busy feeds.

Want help with that? Our Digital Advertising service makes it easy to get your promotions in front of the right people at the right time.

3. Designate Summer “Team Nights” to Build Routine and Loyalty

One way to increase your Family Entertainment Center group bookings is to create a recurring event that teams can rely on. For example, every Thursday night could be "Team Night" where uniforms = discounts. Or designate a weekly “Team Showdown” mini-tournament with prizes.

By turning visits into routine events, you're not just marketing to sports teams, you're becoming part of their season. These experiences build emotional connection, loyalty, and word-of-mouth buzz.

4. Keep the Momentum Going After Summer Ends

Don’t let the relationship end when the season wraps. Collect team contact info through your booking system (hello, digital waivers!) and send thank-you emails, off-season offers, or early invites to your fall events.

Your online booking platform should make this easy, and if you're using Party Center Software, you're already ahead of the game.

Team Up for a Winning Summer

With some creativity, smart messaging, and tailored promotions, marketing to sports teams can become a powerful engine for your Family Entertainment Center group bookings. Start building those relationships now and turn game day into your biggest business day.

Need help getting your ads in front of the right audience? Let our Digital Advertising team help you score big.

Drop a comment below and share your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you!