Calgary player survey · Summer 2026
What you told us
about basketball
We asked players in Calgary where they played, what frustrated them, and what they wanted from a league for men over 30. Here are the results, along with the plans we made at the time.
Common frustrations
Arguments, rough play,
and poor organization
Arguments and poor attitudes were the most common complaint, followed by reckless play and poor organization. Finding a team and fitting games around work and family were problems too.
45% wanted safer basketball.
25% wanted better competition.
More respondents chose safer basketball as a priority than better competition. That helped us decide how much emphasis to put on rules against reckless play.
Current playing habits
Most respondents
play every week
Half of respondents played about once a week, and another 23% played more often. Private organized runs were the most common place to play, followed by drop-in basketball and open gyms.
League preferences
Balanced teams came first
Balanced competition was the most popular league feature. Playing with people in their 30s and 40s and having a consistent schedule tied for second. When we asked about broader priorities, community and organization led the responses.
Schedules and locations
When and where
people can play
Thursday was the most popular day, with Monday and Friday tied for second. Central Calgary was the most popular area. Another 38% said the location mattered less if the facility was good.
In their words
A few of the written responses
“Good competition and safe play. No undercutting, grabbing when past. Wood floors.”
“Good group of guys, similar age and skill level so teams don't get stacked. Drafting teams based on skill, max players per team so equal playing time.”
“Strict substitution and actual refs calling technicals for unnecessary contact and unsportsmanlike behavior.”
“Location and schedule. I have 2 kids — as I'm sure other fellas might even have more.”
Our early plans
What we planned
after the survey
The responses helped us put together the original pilot plan below. We focused on balanced teams, referees and a way to join without bringing a full roster. The Sunday schedule was part of our plan; Thursday was the most popular day in the survey.
Balanced teams. Use a skill-based draft and cap rosters at eight players so everyone gets time on court.
Rules against reckless play. Have referees call technicals for unnecessary contact, eject players for undercutting and enforce substitute rules.
Sunday afternoons.Schedule games at 2, 3 or 4 p.m., with each team's start time rotating week to week.
Individual registration. Let players sign up on their own and join a team through the draft.
Details before registration. Publish the venue, schedule and game times before asking players to pay.
What would people pay extra for?
The most common answer was nothing: 45% mainly wanted to play. Among the paid upgrades, better facilities, game video and better referees were the most popular choices.
Better facilities
33% would pay more for better facilities. In the location question, 38% said a good facility mattered more than the area.
Game highlights
28% chose game highlights or video, ahead of player profiles and social coverage at 18%, and professional photos at 13%.
Better referees
25% would pay more for better referees. Reliable referees also appeared in the list of features players wanted from a league.
Season pricing
What people
were willing to pay
The $200–275 option was the most popular, chosen by 48% of respondents. Another 25% needed to see the schedule and location before deciding. These were survey price ranges, not registration prices.
The survey options
What each format included
These are the three league formats we asked people to compare. The descriptions below come from the survey.
| Format | What the survey described |
|---|---|
| Barebones | Games, referees, standings and playoffs, with simple jerseys or team shirts and the lowest possible fee. |
| Enhanced | Better jerseys, individual stats, standings, photos, league awards and a stronger championship experience, at a moderate fee. |
| Premium | Professional-looking jerseys, stats, regular media coverage, player profiles, awards, sponsor perks and a larger championship event, at the highest fee. |
The original pilot plan
Ten weeks,
ten games
The original plan was a ten-week pilot with six teams and up to eight players per roster. Each team would play eight regular-season games and two postseason games, with all ten covered by one registration.
The proposed ten-week schedule
Every team would have a game in both postseason weeks, regardless of where it finished in the standings.
At the survey's $200–275 range, ten games would cost $20–27.50 per game. For current dates, pricing and registration, see the Winter 2027 season page.
What would you
like to see?
You can still fill out the survey. It takes about three minutes, and there's room to tell us what we missed.
Take the survey →