Case study · PickupUltimate

Find a pickup game.
Or put yours on the map.

We redesigned PickupUltimate around two clear jobs: help players see what games are happening nearby, and give organizers a simple way to add a game for others to find.

Try PickupUltimate ↗

PickupUltimate search results for San Francisco with game cards beside a map

Project type

Web applicationDirectory

Industry

Community sportsUltimate Frisbee

Capabilities

Product strategyUX/UI designSearch and mappingFront-end development

The challenge

Pickup games only work when people can find them.

PickupUltimate had already brought community-run games together in one nationwide directory. But players still had to work through a world map and long city lists to see what was happening near them.

The other side mattered too: organizers needed a clear way to add a game, its schedule, and the field details people need before they show up. We rebuilt the site around finding a game and adding one.

The experience

See what is happening. Open the details. Add what is missing.

Search by location, narrow by day or distance, compare games, and open one for the schedule and directions. A separate three-step flow lets organizers add the game name, schedule, field, and player details without wrestling with the directory.

PickupUltimate game matcher asking for location, day, experience level, and travel distance — **Find the right fit**
A short set of questions narrows the directory by place, day, player level, and travel distance.

PickupUltimate desktop game detail dialog showing schedule, field context, source status, sharing, and directions — **Everything needed before heading out**
Schedule, field notes, sharing, and directions stay together while the original search remains in place.

PickupUltimate mobile results list with game times, field details, and directions — **The next game stays visible**
On mobile, the list leads with time and keeps details and directions within easy reach.

PickupUltimate mobile game detail sheet with weekly schedule, surface, cost, source status, and directions — **Game details without the clutter**
The mobile sheet keeps the weekly schedule, field information, source, and directions in one focused view.

What we designed and built

One clear product for players and organizers.

Players need to know what is happening. Organizers need to get their game in front of players. We built both jobs into the same simple system. This is the kind of focused product problem we solve through custom software and web application development.

✓Search by city, ZIP code, game name, or current location ✓Filter by day, distance, surface, and beginner-friendly play ✓Compare games in a clear list while the map updates beside it ✓Add a pickup game through a guided form for its name, schedule, field, and player details

The key product decision

Make the directory easy to browse. Make it easy to grow.

Players can move from search to game details and directions without starting over. Organizers can add a game through a focused three-step form that gathers only the information players need.

The directory also tells the truth about the data. If cost, surface, or player fit is missing, the interface says so. It never fills the gap with a guess.

The map gives context. The card gets someone to the field.

Project lead

Brendan Collins

Brendan led product strategy, UX/UI design, and front-end development for PickupUltimate.

The core decision was simple: make games easy to find and make new games easy to add. That meant a clear path from search to directions and a focused form for organizers.