How Much Does a Court Scoreboard Cost? (2026 Pricing Guide)
By the Multi Score Screen team4 min read
In this guide
What Affects Scoreboard Cost?
The scoreboard cost for a court depends on the type of system a facility chooses: a basic manual flip board, a dedicated electronic scoreboard built for one sport, or a TV-based system like Multi Score Screen that runs on a screen the court already owns. Each option has a different price range, setup time, and long-term cost once labor and maintenance are included.
Scoreboard Cost at a Glance
- Manual boards cost the least upfront but need a person at the table
- Dedicated electronic boards run per sport, per court
- TV-based scoreboards reuse hardware the court already owns
- Software subscriptions replace large one-time hardware bills
- Multi-court facilities save the most with a shared system
- Installation for a TV-based scoreboard is usually under an hour
Manual Scoreboard Cost
A simple manual scoreboard, such as a flip-number or slide board, typically costs very little to buy but has a hidden ongoing cost: a person must be at the table for every point, game, and set to keep it updated. For clubs running matches back-to-back, that labor cost adds up over a season far more than the board itself.
Dedicated Electronic Scoreboard Cost
Purpose-built electronic scoreboards for a single sport are the most expensive upfront option. They require dedicated hardware mounted at the court, wiring or a control box, and often professional installation. A facility running eight sports across multiple courts would need a separate unit for each court, multiplying both the hardware cost and the ongoing maintenance.
Tip: Before buying a dedicated electronic board, check whether the court's existing TV could run a software-based scoreboard instead — it often costs less over the first year alone.
TV-Based Scoreboard Cost
A TV-based system like Multi Score Screen turns a court's existing television into a live scoreboard, so the main cost is a monthly or annual subscription rather than new hardware. Plans typically scale with the number of courts and sports a facility needs, which keeps the scoreboard cost predictable and easy to budget for compared to buying separate boards.
| Option | Typical Upfront Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Manual board | Low | Single court, casual play |
| Dedicated electronic board | High, per court | One sport, permanent installation |
| TV-based scoreboard | Low (subscription-based) | Multi-court, multi-sport facilities |
Hidden Costs to Consider
Beyond the sticker price, facilities should budget for staff time spent manually scoring, replacement parts for dedicated hardware, and the cost of adding a new sport or court later. A TV-based scoreboard avoids most of these hidden costs since new sports are usually a software update rather than a purchase.
How to Choose Based on Budget
A single court with occasional use may be fine with a manual board. A club investing in a professional look for one sport can justify a dedicated electronic board. Most multi-court, multi-sport facilities get the lowest total scoreboard cost from a TV-based system, since one subscription covers every court instead of paying for hardware eight times over. According to the general history of scoreboards, displays have moved from manual boards to electronic and now software-driven systems as technology and costs have shifted.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a TV-based scoreboard cheaper than a dedicated electronic board?
Usually yes for multi-court facilities, since a TV-based scoreboard reuses existing screens and charges a subscription instead of new hardware for every court.
Does scoreboard cost include installation?
For a TV-based system, setup is typically self-service and takes under an hour per court. Dedicated electronic boards often require professional installation, which adds to the total cost.
How much does a basic manual scoreboard cost?
Manual boards are the cheapest option to buy, but they need a person at the table for every point, which adds an ongoing labor cost that a digital system removes.
Can I add more courts later without buying new hardware?
With a TV-based scoreboard, adding a court usually means adding it to the software plan rather than buying a new dedicated unit.
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