CatchCorner & Google enable instant sports venue bookings in search
CatchCorner has launched a collaboration with Google to enable instant bookings of sports facilities directly from Google Search and Maps.
The Toronto-based platform, which operates in 18 North American markets, now offers a "Book Online" option that provides users with real-time availability and hourly rates for venues such as courts, fields, and ice rinks. The integration is designed to streamline and simplify the reservation process for recreational players, athletes, and facility operators alike.
New booking option
Users searching for specific sports facilities in cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, New York City, and Los Angeles will be able to reserve available time slots without leaving Google's search interface. The new function mirrors Google's existing reservation tools commonly used for airlines and hotels, but is now applied to sports venues for the first time.
According to CatchCorner, this shift addresses longstanding inefficiencies associated with finding and booking sports facilities, a process that has traditionally involved multiple platforms and manual steps.
"Our integration with Google is a win-win for everyone," says Jonathan Azouri, CEO and co-founder of CatchCorner. "Users can discover and book last-minute time slots at sports facilities quicker than ever, and our partner venues can benefit from increased visibility and a direct pipeline to new customers. It is a meaningful step towards making vacant recreational space more accessible, while helping facility operators drive more last-minute bookings and boost revenue."
Azouri highlights the immediate impact for both players and facility partners, enabling a direct connection between supply and demand for recreational spaces. The real-time nature of the integration aims to reduce wasted space and boost facility utilisation rates.
Growth and partnerships
The launch comes amid a period of continued expansion for CatchCorner, which reported close to USD $50 million in annual bookings across more than 2,000 venues in North America. The company started in 2019, founded by siblings Jonathan and Maya Azouri, and aimed to make access to sports venues more democratic for a range of users from youth leagues to adult recreational groups.
CatchCorner's strategic partnership with Sports Illustrated in 2021 fuelled further growth and supported the platform's entry into the United States. The company's network now includes a variety of facilities, from community centres and family-owned complexes like La Liga Sports to larger operations such as NHL practice rinks Ford Performance Centre and Bell Sensplex. Partnerships also extend to private and public schools and other sports organisations aiming to promote their spaces more broadly.
Changing sports access
"Technology has transformed the way people expect to access services. It's why we can order a ride, groceries, or a hotel room instantly from our phones. Sports should be no different," says Azouri. "With Google, we are focused on removing friction and reshaping the way people discover and access recreational sports."
CatchCorner's approach emphasises reducing barriers that previously made it challenging for individuals or groups to spontaneously book venues. By integrating directly with platforms people already use daily, the platform aims to foster increased engagement in local sport and recreational activities.
Impact on facility owners
Facility operators have also seen direct benefits from the partnership. The platform's increased visibility has led to more frequent bookings and higher revenue, which in many cases has supported the growth of additional programme offerings.
"CatchCorner has been a great tool for generating revenue. The money we've earned through the platform allowed us to expand our offerings and introduce new sports like volleyball, basketball, and pickleball to better serve our community," says Elizabeth Zuluaga, CEO of La Liga Sports.
In Toronto, more than 300,000 users have engaged with CatchCorner, with a demographic balance across genders and a range spanning from young adults to those aged sixty. The company says this base has contributed to the successful roll-out of the new integration and will likely remain important as the service moves into additional territories.
Future plans
Looking to the future, CatchCorner plans to expand its coverage further within both Canada and the United States, using technology to broaden access to sports venues for all users. The Google integration marks a step towards fulfilling this objective and reflects what the company sees as rising demand for simple, instant digital booking options.
