Sports festival crowd

Handbook & FAQ

How Arena Works

Everything a new user needs. Open your role to see what you can do, the guides and how-tos that apply to you, and the questions people in your role ask.

Overview

The commercial marketplace for sports and culture

Arena connects brands, rights holders, creators, media companies, agencies and organisers. List inventory, find the right partners, build integrated plans that fit a budget, and run every deal from request to proof of delivery.

Discover

Browse live inventory or let Brief Builder match it to your campaign.

Plan

Combine media, creators, properties and community into one plan within budget.

Close & deliver

Requests, approvals, deals, activation and proof in one workspace.

Your role

Everything for your role in one place

Pick your role below. Each card shows what you can do, the step-by-step guides that apply to you with their Free or Premium label, the how-tos you will use most, and the questions people in your role ask. Open only the parts you need.

What you can do

  • Build a campaign brief and get a matched shortlist across media, creators, properties and community; save shortlists and campaigns
  • Browse the marketplace, post needs, request inventory and run each partnership in a deal room
  • Track every opportunity in Pipeline and Opportunities; Decision Desk shows what needs your attention first
  • Post kit, merch & co-branded needs to match athletes, creators and production partners — or propose a drop from any Offer
  • Request quotes (RFQ) or post open tenders when you buy services, kit or production
  • Keep a private Partner book (past deals · potential interest) that auto-matches new needs and briefs posted on Arena
  • Submit a media brief that Arena routes to a media company, and ask the Arena Desk to review a brief (Premium)
  • Sponsor telecasts and Arena Live strands; share read-only match narratives with your team (Premium)
  • Fund athletes, teams or artists (CSR or private) against milestones; money moves offline
  • Buy naming rights and multi-year partnerships with a year-by-year schedule
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (7)

Must-haves before scoring

Free
  1. In Brief Builder, tick the must-haves: dates, rights or geography.
  2. Listings that break a must-have, or already sell your category exclusively, are left out before anything is scored.
Build a brief

Decision Desk, Pipeline and shortlists

Free
  1. Decision Desk shows what needs a decision: live supply, demand, matches and deals (rules-based, not AI).
  2. Pipeline and Opportunities track each partner from first contact to deal; Saved shortlists and Campaigns keep the briefs you built.
Decision Desk

Media brief and Arena Desk review

Free + Premium
  1. Submit a media brief (objective, market, audience, budget). Arena reviews it and routes it to a media company, which answers with a plan (Free).
  2. From Campaigns, ask the Arena Desk to review a brief before you send it (Premium).
New media brief

Share a match narrative

Premium
  1. On Your matches, press Share the story on any fit.
  2. Create a read-only link for your team. It expires in 30 days and you can revoke it. Contact details and private client books are never included; prices and exact scores show only if your plan shows them.
Your matches

Partner book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Partner book: past deals and potential interest (or both). Add domain, genre, markets and value band, or import a CSV.
  2. New needs and briefs posted on Arena match your book in two lanes (new offers are not matched to the book). Match counts are free; names, reasons and the weekly digest are Premium. Only your organisation sees your book.
Partner book

Sponsor a telecast

Free
  1. Open Broadcast bundles to see leagues and festivals that need sponsors to get on air.
  2. Reserve a slot (title, powered by, on-screen, ad spots). The owner confirms the sale. Money is settled offline.
Browse bundles

Sponsor an Arena Live strand

Free
  1. Pick a city strand: a regular broadcast slot for local sports and culture properties.
  2. Press Sponsor this strand. When the owner confirms, the strand shows Presented by your brand.
Arena Live
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (9)
Build a brief with Brief Builder
  1. Open Brief Builder and fill in brand, campaign goal, category, audience, markets and budget.
  2. Add preferred sports, creator niches and the asset types you need.
  3. Optionally adjust the spend split across media, creators, properties and community.
  4. Review the matched plan and the budget fit, then save the brief to Campaigns.
Two-way smart matching (and Premium)
  1. Post a need (Workspace, Post a need) or publish an offer: matching runs both ways, for sports and culture.
  2. Your matches shows who can supply what you need and who needs what you offer, with each score explained factor by factor.
  3. Automatic need-fit alerts to matching suppliers and owners are Premium by default and only run when Arena has match alerts switched on. Tender alerts to eligible suppliers and RFQ invites are separate and always sent.
  4. Full match lists, exact scores and named counterparties are Premium (admin-managed, no payments on Arena); free accounts see the top 3 with score bands and type · city.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
Naming rights and long-term partnerships
  1. On a stadium, league, festival or venue listing, choose Propose naming rights / multi-year.
  2. Set the start year, number of years, year-1 fee and annual escalation %: Arena builds the year-by-year schedule.
  3. Add the renewal date, right-of-first-refusal deadline and reminder window. Renewal reminders to both sides come from a scheduled job, so they arrive when Arena runs it.
  4. The rights holder accepts to open the deal; track each year as delivered with reach, activations and attendance.
Sponsorship and funding applications
  1. Athletes, creators, properties and leagues, events and communities apply under Funding applications: private sponsorship, CSR grant or scholarship, with amount, purpose, achievements, documents, sponsor benefits and CSR impact.
  2. Arena verifies documents (federation registration, NGO, 80G, CSR-1). Brands, agencies, federations and culture or tourism boards set a funder profile and are alerted when an application fits.
  3. Funders shortlist, ask questions on the message wall and approve full or partial amounts; several funders can co-fund.
  4. Each approval opens a deal with milestones; the applicant uploads proof per milestone and the funder accepts it.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Analytics
  1. Analytics shows spend and earnings, deal wins, request-to-deal conversion, response times and listing views.
  2. Multi-year partnerships roll up contracted vs delivered value and reach by year.
  3. Funders get an ROI / impact report: committed and released amounts, proofs, beneficiaries and cost per beneficiary.
Questions for this role (12)
Where do I start as a brand?

Open Brief Builder or Post a need (including kit/merch & co-branded), then review Your matches. Add past partners and interest targets in Partner book: when a new need or brief on Arena fits one of them, it shows as a private match.

Do other brands see my Partner book?

No. Only your organisation sees it. Match badges on needs and briefs are private to you.

Does Arena take payment for sponsorships?

No. Fees are settled offline. Arena runs the brief, match, deal stages and proof.

How do I get Premium?

Open Upgrade (or any locked feature) and press Request Premium. It is arranged with the Arena team; there is no card payment in the app.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

Does Arena take payments or offer live chat?

No. Arena has a message wall on every request and deal, and money (sponsorship fees, grants, quotes, commission) is settled offline between the parties. There is no live chat, WhatsApp integration or payment collection.

How does two-way matching work, and what does Premium add?

Every need is matched against offers and every offer against needs, for sports and culture, with the score explained. Premium unlocks full match lists, exact scores, named counterparties and automatic need-fit alerts; Arena admins manage Premium and there are no payments on Arena.

What is free and what is Premium?

Free (defaults): listings, deal-making, matching tease (top 3 matches with score bands; names as type · city), must-have filters, readiness, agreement terms, media evidence, outreach log, deal check-ins, universal Client / Partner book capture, CSV import and past · interest match counts for every commercial role, experts, broadcast bundles, Arena Live, My desk and relationships. Premium: full match lists, exact scores, counterparty names, automatic need-fit alerts, shareable match narratives, unit pricing and packages in briefs, Sponsor book prospecting, supplier scores on quotes, client-book match details and digest, client media plans with versions, Prospect Radar, pitch drafts, Arena Desk brief review, and MIS with export. Arena admins can flip any key Free or Premium, or turn Client book off per organisation. Request Premium from Upgrade; it is arranged with the Arena team and there are no payments on Arena.

Who can see my client book?

Only your organisation. Every commercial role (brands, media, agencies, properties, talent, federations, boards) can keep one private book with past deal and potential interest. It feeds your own auto-match and Relationships page. It never appears on public pages, to other organisations, or in shared match narratives.

How do location and match scores work?

A match score summarises how well a listing fits a brief: audience, category, sport, location, assets and budget. Listings in the brief's city or state score higher, regional and national reach score a little lower, and far-away listings lower still. Missing details in a brief are treated as neutral. Only strong matches are used to build plans.

What is the budget split and what happens to unused budget?

The split divides the budget across media, creators, properties and community. If one area cannot use its share, the plan shows how much is unused and lets you choose: keep it for the best lines in any area, move it to a specific area, or leave it unspent.

Who sees the agency margin?

Only the agency or media company building the plan, and Arena admins. Clients see a single price per line. Owners see their own rate card, the commission and their payout.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

Sports property / league

Read the Solutions page

What you can do

  • Publish inventory with rate cards, availability and readiness (Ready N/5)
  • Receive brand and agency requests; approve or decline packaging of your assets
  • Keep a Sponsor book of past sponsors and brands of interest with two-lane auto-match
  • Sell broadcast bundles and naming rights; track deals through proof of delivery
  • Buy with quote requests (RFQ) and open tenders; apply for sponsorship or CSR funding
  • Hire certified officials, hosts and crew for your events
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (8)

Readiness checklist

Free
  1. Each listing shows Ready N/5: pricing, audience proof, dates, media, rights.
  2. Press Fix now on the next missing item. Unpriced listings are not shown in matches.
My listings

Live preview while you publish

Free
  1. The publish form shows how buyers will see your card as you type.
  2. Check the title, price and audience line, then publish.
Create listing

Sponsor book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Sponsor book of past sponsors and brands of interest. Mark each row Past deal or Potential interest.
  2. When new needs and briefs land, see past · interest matches privately. Counts free; details Premium.
Sponsor book

Media evidence

Free
  1. Add links to photos, reels, coverage and reports, with usage rights and an expiry date.
  2. Mark what is cleared for commercial use. Expired rights are flagged. Arena stores links, not files.
Media evidence

Sell a broadcast bundle

Free
  1. Create a bundle: production cost, production partner and distribution slot. Four sponsor slots are priced for you to edit.
  2. Publish to sponsors and confirm each reservation. The funding bar shows how much of production is covered. Packaging and selling only, no streaming tech.
Broadcast bundles

Apply for an Arena Live slot

Free
  1. Open a city strand and pick an open date.
  2. Apply with one of your listings and a one-line pitch. You are notified when the owner gives you the slot.
Arena Live

Hire officials, hosts and crew

Free
  1. Post a hiring need: role, count, city, dates, level, certified only.
  2. Matches are filtered by role, verified certification, level, availability and travel radius. Press Invite.
Hire experts

Prospect Radar and pitch drafts

Premium
  1. Prospect Radar suggests who to pitch next: renewals from your book, lookalike and adjacent-category brands, and brands sponsoring rivals, with category exclusivity respected.
  2. Draft a pitch from a prospect, then log it in the Outreach log.
Prospect Radar
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (10)
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Turn agency packaging on or off
  1. Go to My listings.
  2. On each listing, use Allow agencies to package this property.
  3. When off, agencies cannot add that listing to new client plans. Direct brand requests are unaffected.
Availability calendar
  1. Open Calendar and mark dates as booked, on hold for a brand or not offered, for a whole listing or one inventory unit.
  2. Brands see what is free on your public listing; your notes stay private.
  3. Matching ranks a listing lower when the needed date is blocked.
Two-way smart matching (and Premium)
  1. Post a need (Workspace, Post a need) or publish an offer: matching runs both ways, for sports and culture.
  2. Your matches shows who can supply what you need and who needs what you offer, with each score explained factor by factor.
  3. Automatic need-fit alerts to matching suppliers and owners are Premium by default and only run when Arena has match alerts switched on. Tender alerts to eligible suppliers and RFQ invites are separate and always sent.
  4. Full match lists, exact scores and named counterparties are Premium (admin-managed, no payments on Arena); free accounts see the top 3 with score bands and type · city.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
Naming rights and long-term partnerships
  1. On a stadium, league, festival or venue listing, choose Propose naming rights / multi-year.
  2. Set the start year, number of years, year-1 fee and annual escalation %: Arena builds the year-by-year schedule.
  3. Add the renewal date, right-of-first-refusal deadline and reminder window. Renewal reminders to both sides come from a scheduled job, so they arrive when Arena runs it.
  4. The rights holder accepts to open the deal; track each year as delivered with reach, activations and attendance.
Sponsorship and funding applications
  1. Athletes, creators, properties and leagues, events and communities apply under Funding applications: private sponsorship, CSR grant or scholarship, with amount, purpose, achievements, documents, sponsor benefits and CSR impact.
  2. Arena verifies documents (federation registration, NGO, 80G, CSR-1). Brands, agencies, federations and culture or tourism boards set a funder profile and are alerted when an application fits.
  3. Funders shortlist, ask questions on the message wall and approve full or partial amounts; several funders can co-fund.
  4. Each approval opens a deal with milestones; the applicant uploads proof per milestone and the funder accepts it.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (10)
Why is my listing hidden?

It must be published with at least one available asset and a rate card (or price on request). Drafts and sold-out units stay off Marketplace. New accounts must also verify their email before a listing goes live.

What is the Sponsor book?

Your private list of past sponsors and interest targets. When a new need or brief fits, you see past · interest matches — never shown to other orgs.

Why is my listing not showing?

A listing appears in Marketplace and matches only when it is published, has at least one available asset with a type and a rate card (or price on request), and that asset has not expired. Drafts, paused listings and sold-out inventory are hidden, and new accounts must verify their email before publishing live.

How is pricing set? What does 'price on request' mean?

Each asset has a rate card set by its owner. Some owners prefer to quote per brief, so the asset shows price on request. Those lines are included in plans and priced with the owner before contract.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

What needs approval?

When an agency or media company includes your inventory in a client plan, you approve or decline agency packaging. Accepting the request also counts as approval. Deals then need both sides to confirm deliverables before contract.

Can I stop agencies from packaging my inventory?

Yes. Turn off Allow agencies to package this property on the listing. Brands can still contact you directly.

What do the verification labels mean?

Labels show how much has been confirmed about a listing, from unverified (self-declared) to verified (checked by Arena or backed by evidence such as past delivery). They help buyers judge confidence, not quality.

Who can see my client book?

Only your organisation. Every commercial role (brands, media, agencies, properties, talent, federations, boards) can keep one private book with past deal and potential interest. It feeds your own auto-match and Relationships page. It never appears on public pages, to other organisations, or in shared match narratives.

Are franchise sales available?

Not at the moment. The franchise module is parked and hidden from workspace menus. Leagues and federations can sell naming rights, multi-year partnerships and sponsorship inventory today.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

League (sports or culture)

Read the Solutions page

What you can do

  • List the league, seasons, inventory and naming-rights packages
  • Post needs, request quotes and open tenders for kit, venues, broadcast and travel
  • Keep a Sponsor book and run two-way matching against brand demand
  • Package broadcast bundles for title and on-screen sponsors
  • Apply for sponsorship or CSR funding for the league or its teams
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (7)

Readiness checklist

Free
  1. Each listing shows Ready N/5: pricing, audience proof, dates, media, rights.
  2. Press Fix now on the next missing item. Unpriced listings are not shown in matches.
My listings

Live preview while you publish

Free
  1. The publish form shows how buyers will see your card as you type.
  2. Check the title, price and audience line, then publish.
Create listing

Sponsor book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Sponsor book of past sponsors and brands of interest. Mark each row Past deal or Potential interest.
  2. When new needs and briefs land, see past · interest matches privately. Counts free; details Premium.
Sponsor book

Media evidence

Free
  1. Add links to photos, reels, coverage and reports, with usage rights and an expiry date.
  2. Mark what is cleared for commercial use. Expired rights are flagged. Arena stores links, not files.
Media evidence

Sell a broadcast bundle

Free
  1. Create a bundle: production cost, production partner and distribution slot. Four sponsor slots are priced for you to edit.
  2. Publish to sponsors and confirm each reservation. The funding bar shows how much of production is covered. Packaging and selling only, no streaming tech.
Broadcast bundles

Hire officials, hosts and crew

Free
  1. Post a hiring need: role, count, city, dates, level, certified only.
  2. Matches are filtered by role, verified certification, level, availability and travel radius. Press Invite.
Hire experts

Prospect Radar and pitch drafts

Premium
  1. Prospect Radar suggests who to pitch next: renewals from your book, lookalike and adjacent-category brands, and brands sponsoring rivals, with category exclusivity respected.
  2. Draft a pitch from a prospect, then log it in the Outreach log.
Prospect Radar
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (8)
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Availability calendar
  1. Open Calendar and mark dates as booked, on hold for a brand or not offered, for a whole listing or one inventory unit.
  2. Brands see what is free on your public listing; your notes stay private.
  3. Matching ranks a listing lower when the needed date is blocked.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Naming rights and long-term partnerships
  1. On a stadium, league, festival or venue listing, choose Propose naming rights / multi-year.
  2. Set the start year, number of years, year-1 fee and annual escalation %: Arena builds the year-by-year schedule.
  3. Add the renewal date, right-of-first-refusal deadline and reminder window. Renewal reminders to both sides come from a scheduled job, so they arrive when Arena runs it.
  4. The rights holder accepts to open the deal; track each year as delivered with reach, activations and attendance.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
Sponsorship and funding applications
  1. Athletes, creators, properties and leagues, events and communities apply under Funding applications: private sponsorship, CSR grant or scholarship, with amount, purpose, achievements, documents, sponsor benefits and CSR impact.
  2. Arena verifies documents (federation registration, NGO, 80G, CSR-1). Brands, agencies, federations and culture or tourism boards set a funder profile and are alerted when an application fits.
  3. Funders shortlist, ask questions on the message wall and approve full or partial amounts; several funders can co-fund.
  4. Each approval opens a deal with milestones; the applicant uploads proof per milestone and the funder accepts it.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (9)
Can I sell team franchises on Arena?

Not at the moment. Franchise sales are parked: they are not in the workspace menu for leagues or federations. Use naming rights, multi-year partnerships and sponsorship inventory for now.

League vs federation signup?

Pick League when you operate a competition and sell slots or inventory. Pick Federation when you are the official association verifying affiliation.

I run a league or I am a supplier. Which sign-up option do I pick?

Pick League (sports or culture) or Supplier (kit, print, merch, production). Arena remembers that choice, so your first step and your menu fit your work: leagues are pointed to listing the league, naming rights and tenders; suppliers to their supplier offer, quote requests, tenders and merch.

Are franchise sales available?

Not at the moment. The franchise module is parked and hidden from workspace menus. Leagues and federations can sell naming rights, multi-year partnerships and sponsorship inventory today.

Why is my listing not showing?

A listing appears in Marketplace and matches only when it is published, has at least one available asset with a type and a rate card (or price on request), and that asset has not expired. Drafts, paused listings and sold-out inventory are hidden, and new accounts must verify their email before publishing live.

How do naming-rights escalations and renewals work?

You set the year-1 fee and an annual escalation percentage; Arena calculates each year's fee and the total contract value. The renewal date and right-of-first-refusal deadline trigger reminders to both sides inside the reminder window you choose, sent by a scheduled job when Arena runs it.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

Can I stop agencies from packaging my inventory?

Yes. Turn off Allow agencies to package this property on the listing. Brands can still contact you directly.

What is free and what is Premium?

Free (defaults): listings, deal-making, matching tease (top 3 matches with score bands; names as type · city), must-have filters, readiness, agreement terms, media evidence, outreach log, deal check-ins, universal Client / Partner book capture, CSV import and past · interest match counts for every commercial role, experts, broadcast bundles, Arena Live, My desk and relationships. Premium: full match lists, exact scores, counterparty names, automatic need-fit alerts, shareable match narratives, unit pricing and packages in briefs, Sponsor book prospecting, supplier scores on quotes, client-book match details and digest, client media plans with versions, Prospect Radar, pitch drafts, Arena Desk brief review, and MIS with export. Arena admins can flip any key Free or Premium, or turn Client book off per organisation. Request Premium from Upgrade; it is arranged with the Arena team and there are no payments on Arena.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

What you can do

  • Publish a creator profile with niches, formats, rate cards and social stats
  • Appear in brand and agency media plans that need amplification
  • Keep a Brand book (past brand deals · interest) with private auto-match
  • Share a one-click media kit from My desk; settle fees offline
  • Apply for sponsorship, CSR grants or scholarships; run merch & co-branded drops
  • Let an agency or manager represent you from the Representation part of your Team page
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (5)

Source and verified chips

Free
  1. Stats and proof show where they came from (platform, tool, client report) and how they were measured.
  2. Proof starts as Reported, becomes Confirmed when the other side accepts it, and Verified when Arena checks it.
My listings

Media kit in one click

Free
  1. On My desk, open a listing's media kit: profile, public stats, past partners, assets and cleared media.
  2. Print or save it as a PDF. Stats you keep for in-talks only stay out. Prices are opt-in.
My desk

Brand book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Brand book: brands you have worked with and brands you want next. Mark Past deal or Potential interest.
  2. New needs and briefs match that list in two lanes. Counts free; details Premium. Private to you.
Brand book

Grant representation to your agency

Free
  1. Open Team and, under Representation, enter the email your agency or manager signs in with.
  2. Your listings join their roster and they can handle requests and deals for them. Revoke it from the same place.
Team

Media evidence

Free
  1. Add links to photos, reels, coverage and reports, with usage rights and an expiry date.
  2. Mark what is cleared for commercial use. Expired rights are flagged. Arena stores links, not files.
Media evidence
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (7)
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Creator social stats
  1. On a creator, athlete or artist listing, add social accounts with followers, reach, engagement and audience details.
  2. Connect YouTube where Arena has switched it on; Instagram connect is waiting on Meta app review. Otherwise enter numbers manually; labels show Connected, Admin-checked or Self-reported.
  3. Follower counts feed the audience-size factor in matching. Connected accounts refresh and stale manual stats (90+ days) get a reminder through a scheduled job, when Arena runs it.
Availability calendar
  1. Open Calendar and mark dates as booked, on hold for a brand or not offered, for a whole listing or one inventory unit.
  2. Brands see what is free on your public listing; your notes stay private.
  3. Matching ranks a listing lower when the needed date is blocked.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
Sponsorship and funding applications
  1. Athletes, creators, properties and leagues, events and communities apply under Funding applications: private sponsorship, CSR grant or scholarship, with amount, purpose, achievements, documents, sponsor benefits and CSR impact.
  2. Arena verifies documents (federation registration, NGO, 80G, CSR-1). Brands, agencies, federations and culture or tourism boards set a funder profile and are alerted when an application fits.
  3. Funders shortlist, ask questions on the message wall and approve full or partial amounts; several funders can co-fund.
  4. Each approval opens a deal with milestones; the applicant uploads proof per milestone and the funder accepts it.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (8)
Are my follower counts verified?

Each account is labelled Connected, Admin-checked or Self-reported. Stats marked in-talks-only stay out of public matching.

How do brands find me?

Through Brief Builder and two-way matching when your niche, audience and formats fit. Keep social stats and rate cards current.

Are follower counts verified?

Each social account is labelled Connected (pulled from the platform), Admin-checked or Self-reported. Stats you mark as 'in talks only' are hidden publicly and are not used in matching.

Does Arena score reputation or trust?

No. There is no reputation score. Arena records where each number came from and who confirmed it (Reported, Confirmed, Verified), and shows Sample and freshness badges, so you can judge for yourself.

Why is my listing not showing?

A listing appears in Marketplace and matches only when it is published, has at least one available asset with a type and a rate card (or price on request), and that asset has not expired. Drafts, paused listings and sold-out inventory are hidden, and new accounts must verify their email before publishing live.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

What is free and what is Premium?

Free (defaults): listings, deal-making, matching tease (top 3 matches with score bands; names as type · city), must-have filters, readiness, agreement terms, media evidence, outreach log, deal check-ins, universal Client / Partner book capture, CSV import and past · interest match counts for every commercial role, experts, broadcast bundles, Arena Live, My desk and relationships. Premium: full match lists, exact scores, counterparty names, automatic need-fit alerts, shareable match narratives, unit pricing and packages in briefs, Sponsor book prospecting, supplier scores on quotes, client-book match details and digest, client media plans with versions, Prospect Radar, pitch drafts, Arena Desk brief review, and MIS with export. Arena admins can flip any key Free or Premium, or turn Client book off per organisation. Request Premium from Upgrade; it is arranged with the Arena team and there are no payments on Arena.

Who can see my client book?

Only your organisation. Every commercial role (brands, media, agencies, properties, talent, federations, boards) can keep one private book with past deal and potential interest. It feeds your own auto-match and Relationships page. It never appears on public pages, to other organisations, or in shared match narratives.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

What you can do

  • Get discoverable with a listing, appearances and endorsement inventory
  • Apply for private sponsorship, CSR grants or scholarships with verified documents
  • Keep a Brand book of past and target brands; see private match lanes on new briefs
  • Run merch & co-branded drops (matched needs or Propose merch / co-branded) and track deal deliverables with proof
  • Let an agency or manager represent you from the Representation part of your Team page
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (5)

Source and verified chips

Free
  1. Stats and proof show where they came from (platform, tool, client report) and how they were measured.
  2. Proof starts as Reported, becomes Confirmed when the other side accepts it, and Verified when Arena checks it.
My listings

Media kit in one click

Free
  1. On My desk, open a listing's media kit: profile, public stats, past partners, assets and cleared media.
  2. Print or save it as a PDF. Stats you keep for in-talks only stay out. Prices are opt-in.
My desk

Brand book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Brand book: brands you have worked with and brands you want next. Mark Past deal or Potential interest.
  2. New needs and briefs match that list in two lanes. Counts free; details Premium. Private to you.
Brand book

Grant representation to your agency

Free
  1. Open Team and, under Representation, enter the email your agency or manager signs in with.
  2. Your listings join their roster and they can handle requests and deals for them. Revoke it from the same place.
Team

Media evidence

Free
  1. Add links to photos, reels, coverage and reports, with usage rights and an expiry date.
  2. Mark what is cleared for commercial use. Expired rights are flagged. Arena stores links, not files.
Media evidence
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (7)
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Creator social stats
  1. On a creator, athlete or artist listing, add social accounts with followers, reach, engagement and audience details.
  2. Connect YouTube where Arena has switched it on; Instagram connect is waiting on Meta app review. Otherwise enter numbers manually; labels show Connected, Admin-checked or Self-reported.
  3. Follower counts feed the audience-size factor in matching. Connected accounts refresh and stale manual stats (90+ days) get a reminder through a scheduled job, when Arena runs it.
Availability calendar
  1. Open Calendar and mark dates as booked, on hold for a brand or not offered, for a whole listing or one inventory unit.
  2. Brands see what is free on your public listing; your notes stay private.
  3. Matching ranks a listing lower when the needed date is blocked.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
Sponsorship and funding applications
  1. Athletes, creators, properties and leagues, events and communities apply under Funding applications: private sponsorship, CSR grant or scholarship, with amount, purpose, achievements, documents, sponsor benefits and CSR impact.
  2. Arena verifies documents (federation registration, NGO, 80G, CSR-1). Brands, agencies, federations and culture or tourism boards set a funder profile and are alerted when an application fits.
  3. Funders shortlist, ask questions on the message wall and approve full or partial amounts; several funders can co-fund.
  4. Each approval opens a deal with milestones; the applicant uploads proof per milestone and the funder accepts it.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (9)
How does funding work?

Apply once with purpose, amount and documents. Matching funders are alerted; one or several can co-fund. Money releases offline against milestones you prove.

Is there a reputation score?

No. Arena shows source and verification labels so buyers judge confidence themselves.

I am an artist, not an athlete. Which signup?

Pick Athlete for individual performers (artists are filed under it) or Creator if you mainly sell content and reach.

Are follower counts verified?

Each social account is labelled Connected (pulled from the platform), Admin-checked or Self-reported. Stats you mark as 'in talks only' are hidden publicly and are not used in matching.

Can several funders back one application?

Yes. A funder can approve the full amount or part of it; co-funders can cover the rest until the application is fully funded. Each approval is its own deal with its own milestones and proof.

Which documents does Arena check for funding applications?

Federation or association registration, NGO / trust registration, 80G and CSR-1 certificates and identity proof. An Arena admin reviews them and the application shows as documents verified; funders can choose to see only verified applications.

Will I hear back if a funder says no?

Yes. Applicants are notified when a funder declines and when a funder accepts a milestone.

Does Arena score reputation or trust?

No. There is no reputation score. Arena records where each number came from and who confirmed it (Reported, Confirmed, Verified), and shows Sample and freshness badges, so you can judge for yourself.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

Community / club

Read the Solutions page

What you can do

  • List run clubs, leagues and community formats with activation inventory
  • Get discovered by brands seeking participation audiences
  • Post needs, request quotes and open tenders; hire experts; keep a Sponsor book
  • Apply for sponsorship or CSR funding for programmes
  • Use Imagine: post an idea, see who wants it and who could supply it, then turn it into a brief or an Opportunity Plan
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (6)

Readiness checklist

Free
  1. Each listing shows Ready N/5: pricing, audience proof, dates, media, rights.
  2. Press Fix now on the next missing item. Unpriced listings are not shown in matches.
My listings

Live preview while you publish

Free
  1. The publish form shows how buyers will see your card as you type.
  2. Check the title, price and audience line, then publish.
Create listing

Sponsor book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Sponsor book of past sponsors and brands of interest. Mark each row Past deal or Potential interest.
  2. When new needs and briefs land, see past · interest matches privately. Counts free; details Premium.
Sponsor book

Media evidence

Free
  1. Add links to photos, reels, coverage and reports, with usage rights and an expiry date.
  2. Mark what is cleared for commercial use. Expired rights are flagged. Arena stores links, not files.
Media evidence

Apply for an Arena Live slot

Free
  1. Open a city strand and pick an open date.
  2. Apply with one of your listings and a one-line pitch. You are notified when the owner gives you the slot.
Arena Live

Hire officials, hosts and crew

Free
  1. Post a hiring need: role, count, city, dates, level, certified only.
  2. Matches are filtered by role, verified certification, level, availability and travel radius. Press Invite.
Hire experts
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (8)
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Imagine: ideas, demand and supply
  1. Open Imagine to browse ideas for new formats, partnerships and activations, with where, what, budget, timing and format.
  2. Signed in, vote, say you want it, or post your own. Suppliers can offer to supply an idea or claim a gap with a listing; the poster accepts or declines each offer.
  3. Turn an idea into a brief or an Opportunity Plan, or escalate it to the Arena Desk with a note (once per 14 days).
Availability calendar
  1. Open Calendar and mark dates as booked, on hold for a brand or not offered, for a whole listing or one inventory unit.
  2. Brands see what is free on your public listing; your notes stay private.
  3. Matching ranks a listing lower when the needed date is blocked.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
Sponsorship and funding applications
  1. Athletes, creators, properties and leagues, events and communities apply under Funding applications: private sponsorship, CSR grant or scholarship, with amount, purpose, achievements, documents, sponsor benefits and CSR impact.
  2. Arena verifies documents (federation registration, NGO, 80G, CSR-1). Brands, agencies, federations and culture or tourism boards set a funder profile and are alerted when an application fits.
  3. Funders shortlist, ask questions on the message wall and approve full or partial amounts; several funders can co-fund.
  4. Each approval opens a deal with milestones; the applicant uploads proof per milestone and the funder accepts it.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (7)
What should I put on my listing?

Audience, footfall, cities, dates and clear prices for sampling or activation. Honest numbers beat inflated claims.

Can I buy as well as sell?

Yes — post needs, request quotes and open tenders for kit, venues or production the same way properties do.

Why is my listing not showing?

A listing appears in Marketplace and matches only when it is published, has at least one available asset with a type and a rate card (or price on request), and that asset has not expired. Drafts, paused listings and sold-out inventory are hidden, and new accounts must verify their email before publishing live.

What is the difference between an RFQ and an open tender?

They are one system. An RFQ invites suppliers you pick from your matches to quote. An open tender is public to every eligible supplier, with a spec, quality checklist, eligibility rules, sealed or open bids and optional revised rounds. Both end with an award that opens a deal.

Can several funders back one application?

Yes. A funder can approve the full amount or part of it; co-funders can cover the rest until the application is fully funded. Each approval is its own deal with its own milestones and proof.

Which documents does Arena check for funding applications?

Federation or association registration, NGO / trust registration, 80G and CSR-1 certificates and identity proof. An Arena admin reviews them and the application shows as documents verified; funders can choose to see only verified applications.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

Event / festival operator

Read the Solutions page

What you can do

  • Publish festival or event inventory with dates, audience and activation units
  • Apply for Arena Live city strands; hire officials, hosts and crew
  • Buy with quote requests and open tenders; apply for sponsorship or CSR funding
  • Keep a Sponsor book; get deliverable alerts on live deals (when Arena's scheduled reminders run)
  • Sell naming rights and multi-year packages with renewal reminders
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (8)

Readiness checklist

Free
  1. Each listing shows Ready N/5: pricing, audience proof, dates, media, rights.
  2. Press Fix now on the next missing item. Unpriced listings are not shown in matches.
My listings

Live preview while you publish

Free
  1. The publish form shows how buyers will see your card as you type.
  2. Check the title, price and audience line, then publish.
Create listing

Sponsor book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Sponsor book of past sponsors and brands of interest. Mark each row Past deal or Potential interest.
  2. When new needs and briefs land, see past · interest matches privately. Counts free; details Premium.
Sponsor book

Media evidence

Free
  1. Add links to photos, reels, coverage and reports, with usage rights and an expiry date.
  2. Mark what is cleared for commercial use. Expired rights are flagged. Arena stores links, not files.
Media evidence

Apply for an Arena Live slot

Free
  1. Open a city strand and pick an open date.
  2. Apply with one of your listings and a one-line pitch. You are notified when the owner gives you the slot.
Arena Live

Hire officials, hosts and crew

Free
  1. Post a hiring need: role, count, city, dates, level, certified only.
  2. Matches are filtered by role, verified certification, level, availability and travel radius. Press Invite.
Hire experts

Sell a broadcast bundle

Free
  1. Create a bundle: production cost, production partner and distribution slot. Four sponsor slots are priced for you to edit.
  2. Publish to sponsors and confirm each reservation. The funding bar shows how much of production is covered. Packaging and selling only, no streaming tech.
Broadcast bundles

Prospect Radar and pitch drafts

Premium
  1. Prospect Radar suggests who to pitch next: renewals from your book, lookalike and adjacent-category brands, and brands sponsoring rivals, with category exclusivity respected.
  2. Draft a pitch from a prospect, then log it in the Outreach log.
Prospect Radar
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (8)
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Availability calendar
  1. Open Calendar and mark dates as booked, on hold for a brand or not offered, for a whole listing or one inventory unit.
  2. Brands see what is free on your public listing; your notes stay private.
  3. Matching ranks a listing lower when the needed date is blocked.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
Naming rights and long-term partnerships
  1. On a stadium, league, festival or venue listing, choose Propose naming rights / multi-year.
  2. Set the start year, number of years, year-1 fee and annual escalation %: Arena builds the year-by-year schedule.
  3. Add the renewal date, right-of-first-refusal deadline and reminder window. Renewal reminders to both sides come from a scheduled job, so they arrive when Arena runs it.
  4. The rights holder accepts to open the deal; track each year as delivered with reach, activations and attendance.
Sponsorship and funding applications
  1. Athletes, creators, properties and leagues, events and communities apply under Funding applications: private sponsorship, CSR grant or scholarship, with amount, purpose, achievements, documents, sponsor benefits and CSR impact.
  2. Arena verifies documents (federation registration, NGO, 80G, CSR-1). Brands, agencies, federations and culture or tourism boards set a funder profile and are alerted when an application fits.
  3. Funders shortlist, ask questions on the message wall and approve full or partial amounts; several funders can co-fund.
  4. Each approval opens a deal with milestones; the applicant uploads proof per milestone and the funder accepts it.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (8)
What is Arena Live?

A regular city broadcast slot for local sports and culture properties. Apply for an open date; the strand owner confirms.

When do deliverable alerts fire?

Three days before a due date, then every three days once overdue, on the deal’s deliverables matrix. They are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs that job; the due and overdue chips on the matrix always show.

Why is my listing not showing?

A listing appears in Marketplace and matches only when it is published, has at least one available asset with a type and a rate card (or price on request), and that asset has not expired. Drafts, paused listings and sold-out inventory are hidden, and new accounts must verify their email before publishing live.

How do naming-rights escalations and renewals work?

You set the year-1 fee and an annual escalation percentage; Arena calculates each year's fee and the total contract value. The renewal date and right-of-first-refusal deadline trigger reminders to both sides inside the reminder window you choose, sent by a scheduled job when Arena runs it.

What is the difference between an RFQ and an open tender?

They are one system. An RFQ invites suppliers you pick from your matches to quote. An open tender is public to every eligible supplier, with a spec, quality checklist, eligibility rules, sealed or open bids and optional revised rounds. Both end with an award that opens a deal.

Can several funders back one application?

Yes. A funder can approve the full amount or part of it; co-funders can cover the rest until the application is fully funded. Each approval is its own deal with its own milestones and proof.

What needs approval?

When an agency or media company includes your inventory in a client plan, you approve or decline agency packaging. Accepting the request also counts as approval. Deals then need both sides to confirm deliverables before contract.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

What you can do

  • Publish media inventory (radio, OOH, digital, broadcast) and build client media plans (Premium)
  • Receive brand media briefs routed by Arena in the Media company workspace and answer with a plan
  • Keep one universal Client book — past deal · potential interest — with two-lane auto-match
  • Log outreach and monthly check-ins (Free); MIS, Prospect Radar and pitch drafts are Premium
  • Run an Arena Live strand and sell strand sponsorship
  • Request partner inventory on a client’s behalf with owner approvals; request quotes and post tenders
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (8)

Media company workspace

Free
  1. Media companies receive brand media briefs that Arena admin routes to them.
  2. Package your media inventory with sports and culture opportunities and send a proposal-ready response back to the brand.
Media company

Client book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Client book per organisation. Mark each row Past deal or Potential interest (or both). Add rights, markets, domain and value band so matching works, or import a CSV.
  2. New needs and briefs match that list in two lanes (past deals · interest). Match counts are free; names, details and the weekly digest are Premium. Admin can set each key Free or Premium, or switch the book off per organisation.
Client book

Outreach log

Free
  1. Log each pitch: who, what, channel, outcome and next follow-up.
  2. Follow-ups due today show first.
Outreach log

Deal check-ins and monthly MIS

Free + Premium
  1. Each live deal asks for a short monthly check-in (free).
  2. Monthly MIS rolls up outreach, deals won, value and check-in health, with CSV export (Premium).
Monthly MIS

Client media plans and proposal versions

Premium
  1. Build a client media plan from a saved brief or media brief, with your margin; your own inventory is placed first.
  2. Every saved change is kept as a version, with who changed what. When the client accepts, that version is marked Accepted.
Client media plans

Prospect Radar and pitch drafts

Premium
  1. Prospect Radar suggests who to pitch next: renewals from your book, lookalike and adjacent-category brands, and brands sponsoring rivals, with category exclusivity respected.
  2. Draft a pitch from a prospect, then log it in the Outreach log.
Prospect Radar

Run an Arena Live strand

Free
  1. Media companies start a city strand: cadence, channel, weekly slots in IST and a strand sponsor price.
  2. Give slots to applying properties and confirm strand sponsors.
Arena Live

Media evidence

Free
  1. Add links to photos, reels, coverage and reports, with usage rights and an expiry date.
  2. Mark what is cleared for commercial use. Expired rights are flagged. Arena stores links, not files.
Media evidence
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (8)
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Build a client media plan (agency packaging, Premium)
  1. From a saved brief or media brief, choose Build client media plan. Client media plans are Premium by default.
  2. Enter the client name and your agency margin.
  3. Review lines: your own inventory is placed first, partner inventory completes the plan within budget.
  4. Remove lines or change unused-budget choices, then share the client link or print it as a PDF.
  5. Request partner lines from owners. Each owner approves or declines being packaged.
Build a brief with Brief Builder
  1. Open Brief Builder and fill in brand, campaign goal, category, audience, markets and budget.
  2. Add preferred sports, creator niches and the asset types you need.
  3. Optionally adjust the spend split across media, creators, properties and community.
  4. Review the matched plan and the budget fit, then save the brief to Campaigns.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Analytics
  1. Analytics shows spend and earnings, deal wins, request-to-deal conversion, response times and listing views.
  2. Multi-year partnerships roll up contracted vs delivered value and reach by year.
  3. Funders get an ROI / impact report: committed and released amounts, proofs, beneficiaries and cost per beneficiary.
Questions for this role (9)
Client book vs Potential Opportunities?

One list now. Mark each brand Past deal or Potential interest (or both). Old Potential Opportunities links open this Client book.

What is free vs Premium on the book?

Capture, CSV import and past · interest match counts are Free by default. Names, reasons, actions and the weekly digest are Premium. Admins can flip any key.

Who sees the agency margin?

Only the agency or media company building the plan, and Arena admins. Clients see a single price per line. Owners see their own rate card, the commission and their payout.

What needs approval?

When an agency or media company includes your inventory in a client plan, you approve or decline agency packaging. Accepting the request also counts as approval. Deals then need both sides to confirm deliverables before contract.

What is free and what is Premium?

Free (defaults): listings, deal-making, matching tease (top 3 matches with score bands; names as type · city), must-have filters, readiness, agreement terms, media evidence, outreach log, deal check-ins, universal Client / Partner book capture, CSV import and past · interest match counts for every commercial role, experts, broadcast bundles, Arena Live, My desk and relationships. Premium: full match lists, exact scores, counterparty names, automatic need-fit alerts, shareable match narratives, unit pricing and packages in briefs, Sponsor book prospecting, supplier scores on quotes, client-book match details and digest, client media plans with versions, Prospect Radar, pitch drafts, Arena Desk brief review, and MIS with export. Arena admins can flip any key Free or Premium, or turn Client book off per organisation. Request Premium from Upgrade; it is arranged with the Arena team and there are no payments on Arena.

Who can see my client book?

Only your organisation. Every commercial role (brands, media, agencies, properties, talent, federations, boards) can keep one private book with past deal and potential interest. It feeds your own auto-match and Relationships page. It never appears on public pages, to other organisations, or in shared match narratives.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

How do location and match scores work?

A match score summarises how well a listing fits a brief: audience, category, sport, location, assets and budget. Listings in the brief's city or state score higher, regional and national reach score a little lower, and far-away listings lower still. Missing details in a brief are treated as neutral. Only strong matches are used to build plans.

What is the budget split and what happens to unused budget?

The split divides the budget across media, creators, properties and community. If one area cannot use its share, the plan shows how much is unused and lets you choose: keep it for the best lines in any area, move it to a specific area, or leave it unspent.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

What you can do

  • At signup, choose a desk: Buy for clients (post needs and briefs) or Manage roster (list the talent you represent)
  • Manage a roster; talent can grant your agency representation so their listings join it
  • Package roster plus partner inventory into client media plans with your margin (Premium)
  • Keep a Client book (past clients · interest) that matches new needs and briefs in two lanes
  • See owner approvals per line; log outreach (Free) and monthly MIS (Premium)
  • Run RFQs, tenders, naming rights and funding as the buyer for clients
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (7)

Client book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Client book per organisation. Mark each row Past deal or Potential interest (or both). Add rights, markets, domain and value band so matching works, or import a CSV.
  2. New needs and briefs match that list in two lanes (past deals · interest). Match counts are free; names, details and the weekly digest are Premium. Admin can set each key Free or Premium, or switch the book off per organisation.
Client book

Outreach log

Free
  1. Log each pitch: who, what, channel, outcome and next follow-up.
  2. Follow-ups due today show first.
Outreach log

Deal check-ins and monthly MIS

Free + Premium
  1. Each live deal asks for a short monthly check-in (free).
  2. Monthly MIS rolls up outreach, deals won, value and check-in health, with CSV export (Premium).
Monthly MIS

Client media plans and proposal versions

Premium
  1. Build a client media plan from a saved brief or media brief, with your margin; your own inventory is placed first.
  2. Every saved change is kept as a version, with who changed what. When the client accepts, that version is marked Accepted.
Client media plans

Prospect Radar and pitch drafts

Premium
  1. Prospect Radar suggests who to pitch next: renewals from your book, lookalike and adjacent-category brands, and brands sponsoring rivals, with category exclusivity respected.
  2. Draft a pitch from a prospect, then log it in the Outreach log.
Prospect Radar

Must-haves before scoring

Free
  1. In Brief Builder, tick the must-haves: dates, rights or geography.
  2. Listings that break a must-have, or already sell your category exclusively, are left out before anything is scored.
Build a brief

Decision Desk, Pipeline and shortlists

Free
  1. Decision Desk shows what needs a decision: live supply, demand, matches and deals (rules-based, not AI).
  2. Pipeline and Opportunities track each partner from first contact to deal; Saved shortlists and Campaigns keep the briefs you built.
Decision Desk
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (9)
Build a brief with Brief Builder
  1. Open Brief Builder and fill in brand, campaign goal, category, audience, markets and budget.
  2. Add preferred sports, creator niches and the asset types you need.
  3. Optionally adjust the spend split across media, creators, properties and community.
  4. Review the matched plan and the budget fit, then save the brief to Campaigns.
Build a client media plan (agency packaging, Premium)
  1. From a saved brief or media brief, choose Build client media plan. Client media plans are Premium by default.
  2. Enter the client name and your agency margin.
  3. Review lines: your own inventory is placed first, partner inventory completes the plan within budget.
  4. Remove lines or change unused-budget choices, then share the client link or print it as a PDF.
  5. Request partner lines from owners. Each owner approves or declines being packaged.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
Naming rights and long-term partnerships
  1. On a stadium, league, festival or venue listing, choose Propose naming rights / multi-year.
  2. Set the start year, number of years, year-1 fee and annual escalation %: Arena builds the year-by-year schedule.
  3. Add the renewal date, right-of-first-refusal deadline and reminder window. Renewal reminders to both sides come from a scheduled job, so they arrive when Arena runs it.
  4. The rights holder accepts to open the deal; track each year as delivered with reach, activations and attendance.
Sponsorship and funding applications
  1. Athletes, creators, properties and leagues, events and communities apply under Funding applications: private sponsorship, CSR grant or scholarship, with amount, purpose, achievements, documents, sponsor benefits and CSR impact.
  2. Arena verifies documents (federation registration, NGO, 80G, CSR-1). Brands, agencies, federations and culture or tourism boards set a funder profile and are alerted when an application fits.
  3. Funders shortlist, ask questions on the message wall and approve full or partial amounts; several funders can co-fund.
  4. Each approval opens a deal with milestones; the applicant uploads proof per milestone and the funder accepts it.
Teams and approvals
  1. Open Team to invite colleagues as admin, manager, member or viewer.
  2. Set a deal approval limit: deals above it need a manager, admin or owner to approve.
  3. Viewers and members can be kept from seeing money; activity is logged.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (9)
Who sees my agency margin?

Only your agency and Arena admins. Clients see one price per line; owners see their rate card and payout.

Can rights holders refuse packaging?

Yes. They can turn off “Allow agencies to package” on a listing. Brands can still contact them directly.

How does a talent join my roster?

The athlete or creator opens Team, enters the email your agency signs in with under Representation, and grants access. Their listings move onto your roster and your managers are notified. They can revoke it at any time.

Who sees the agency margin?

Only the agency or media company building the plan, and Arena admins. Clients see a single price per line. Owners see their own rate card, the commission and their payout.

Can I stop agencies from packaging my inventory?

Yes. Turn off Allow agencies to package this property on the listing. Brands can still contact you directly.

What needs approval?

When an agency or media company includes your inventory in a client plan, you approve or decline agency packaging. Accepting the request also counts as approval. Deals then need both sides to confirm deliverables before contract.

What is free and what is Premium?

Free (defaults): listings, deal-making, matching tease (top 3 matches with score bands; names as type · city), must-have filters, readiness, agreement terms, media evidence, outreach log, deal check-ins, universal Client / Partner book capture, CSV import and past · interest match counts for every commercial role, experts, broadcast bundles, Arena Live, My desk and relationships. Premium: full match lists, exact scores, counterparty names, automatic need-fit alerts, shareable match narratives, unit pricing and packages in briefs, Sponsor book prospecting, supplier scores on quotes, client-book match details and digest, client media plans with versions, Prospect Radar, pitch drafts, Arena Desk brief review, and MIS with export. Arena admins can flip any key Free or Premium, or turn Client book off per organisation. Request Premium from Upgrade; it is arranged with the Arena team and there are no payments on Arena.

What is the budget split and what happens to unused budget?

The split divides the budget across media, creators, properties and community. If one area cannot use its share, the plan shows how much is unused and lets you choose: keep it for the best lines in any area, move it to a specific area, or leave it unspent.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

What you can do

  • List a product or tool (fan engagement, ticketing, analytics, streaming, wearables) with a rate card
  • Enter two-way matching when brands or properties need digital or tech capability
  • Keep a Brand book of past and target partners with private auto-match
  • Request quotes and post open tenders when you buy services
  • Receive approaches in Incoming and run them through Pipeline and Deals
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (3)

Readiness checklist

Free
  1. Each listing shows Ready N/5: pricing, audience proof, dates, media, rights.
  2. Press Fix now on the next missing item. Unpriced listings are not shown in matches.
My listings

Live preview while you publish

Free
  1. The publish form shows how buyers will see your card as you type.
  2. Check the title, price and audience line, then publish.
Create listing

Brand book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Brand book: brands you have worked with and brands you want next. Mark Past deal or Potential interest.
  2. New needs and briefs match that list in two lanes. Counts free; details Premium. Private to you.
Brand book
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (6)
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Availability calendar
  1. Open Calendar and mark dates as booked, on hold for a brand or not offered, for a whole listing or one inventory unit.
  2. Brands see what is free on your public listing; your notes stay private.
  3. Matching ranks a listing lower when the needed date is blocked.
Two-way smart matching (and Premium)
  1. Post a need (Workspace, Post a need) or publish an offer: matching runs both ways, for sports and culture.
  2. Your matches shows who can supply what you need and who needs what you offer, with each score explained factor by factor.
  3. Automatic need-fit alerts to matching suppliers and owners are Premium by default and only run when Arena has match alerts switched on. Tender alerts to eligible suppliers and RFQ invites are separate and always sent.
  4. Full match lists, exact scores and named counterparties are Premium (admin-managed, no payments on Arena); free accounts see the top 3 with score bands and type · city.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (6)
How is this different from a creator signup?

A tech creator lists a product, not a personal audience: product name, category and how brands plug in. Merch & co-branded drops and funding applications are not part of the tech creator workspace.

Do I get Client book matching?

Yes — as Brand book wording. Capture and match counts follow the same Free / Premium keys as other commercial roles.

Why is my listing not showing?

A listing appears in Marketplace and matches only when it is published, has at least one available asset with a type and a rate card (or price on request), and that asset has not expired. Drafts, paused listings and sold-out inventory are hidden, and new accounts must verify their email before publishing live.

How does two-way matching work, and what does Premium add?

Every need is matched against offers and every offer against needs, for sports and culture, with the score explained. Premium unlocks full match lists, exact scores, named counterparties and automatic need-fit alerts; Arena admins manage Premium and there are no payments on Arena.

What is the difference between an RFQ and an open tender?

They are one system. An RFQ invites suppliers you pick from your matches to quote. An open tender is public to every eligible supplier, with a spec, quality checklist, eligibility rules, sealed or open bids and optional revised rounds. Both end with an award that opens a deal.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

Service partner (marketing / promotion)

Read the Solutions page

What you can do

  • List services (marketing, production, on-ground) with cities, packages and case studies
  • Receive RFQ invites from buyers; bid on open tenders you are eligible for
  • Win awards that open deals with a next-step guide
  • Keep a Client / Partner book for past buyers and interest targets
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (4)

Readiness checklist

Free
  1. Each listing shows Ready N/5: pricing, audience proof, dates, media, rights.
  2. Press Fix now on the next missing item. Unpriced listings are not shown in matches.
My listings

Live preview while you publish

Free
  1. The publish form shows how buyers will see your card as you type.
  2. Check the title, price and audience line, then publish.
Create listing

Itemised quotes and bids

Free
  1. Answer an RFQ or a tender with price lines (item, quantity, unit price) plus an optional sample cost; a single lump sum still works.
  2. Buyers compare quotes line by line with the lowest unit price per item flagged; sealed tender bids stay hidden until the buyer reveals them. The award message carries your price lines.
Quote requests

Client book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Client book per organisation. Mark each row Past deal or Potential interest (or both). Add rights, markets, domain and value band so matching works, or import a CSV.
  2. New needs and briefs match that list in two lanes (past deals · interest). Match counts are free; names, details and the weekly digest are Premium. Admin can set each key Free or Premium, or switch the book off per organisation.
Client book
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (5)
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (6)
RFQ vs open tender?

An RFQ invites suppliers the buyer picks. An open tender is public to every eligible bidder, with specs, eligibility and optional sealed bids. Both end in an award that opens a deal.

What makes me eligible?

Cities served, categories, experience and any checklist the buyer sets. Keep your listing current so tenders do not filter you out.

What is the difference between an RFQ and an open tender?

They are one system. An RFQ invites suppliers you pick from your matches to quote. An open tender is public to every eligible supplier, with a spec, quality checklist, eligibility rules, sealed or open bids and optional revised rounds. Both end with an award that opens a deal.

Why is my listing not showing?

A listing appears in Marketplace and matches only when it is published, has at least one available asset with a type and a rate card (or price on request), and that asset has not expired. Drafts, paused listings and sold-out inventory are hidden, and new accounts must verify their email before publishing live.

Does Arena take payments or offer live chat?

No. Arena has a message wall on every request and deal, and money (sponsorship fees, grants, quotes, commission) is settled offline between the parties. There is no live chat, WhatsApp integration or payment collection.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

Supplier (kit, print, merch, production)

Read the Solutions page

What you can do

  • Publish a supplier offer: minimum order (MOQ), standard lead time, cities served and a catalogue of up to 6 items with photo links and price ranges
  • Get RFQ invites from buyers and bid on open tenders with itemised quotes: price lines, quantity, sample cost, lead time and compliance
  • Clarify on the message wall; an award opens a deal, recommended with the Supply agreement template
  • Run the order steps on the deal: Design approval (including sponsor logo placement), then Sample, Production, Dispatched and Delivered
  • When the buyer has an active sponsor, that sponsor approves the logo placement before production
  • Propose merch & co-branded collaborations with rights holders
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (5)

Supplier offer and catalogue

Free
  1. On a Kit & merch production or Print & signage listing, add your minimum order, standard lead time in days and up to 6 catalogue items (name, category, photo link, price range and unit).
  2. Buyers see the offer on your listing with the cities you serve. It is self-declared and does not count as audience evidence in matching.
My listings

Itemised quotes and bids

Free
  1. Answer an RFQ or a tender with price lines (item, quantity, unit price) plus an optional sample cost; a single lump sum still works.
  2. Buyers compare quotes line by line with the lowest unit price per item flagged; sealed tender bids stay hidden until the buyer reveals them. The award message carries your price lines.
Quote requests

Order steps and sponsor logo approval

Free
  1. Kit and print deals move through five steps: Design approval (including sponsor logo placement), then Sample, Production, Dispatched and Delivered.
  2. Submit your design proof on the first step. If the buyer has an agreed or active sponsor, the sponsor approves the logo or asks for changes; otherwise the buyer approves.
Open deals

Supply agreement

Free
  1. Awarded RFQ and tender deals recommend the Supply agreement template: order lines, price and sample, design / logo / sample approval, lead time, delivery, inspection, late delivery and cancellation.
  2. Values are filled from the awarded quote and the agreed deal terms. Generate it from the deal's Agreement page.
Open deals

Client book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Client book per organisation. Mark each row Past deal or Potential interest (or both). Add rights, markets, domain and value band so matching works, or import a CSV.
  2. New needs and briefs match that list in two lanes (past deals · interest). Match counts are free; names, details and the weekly digest are Premium. Admin can set each key Free or Premium, or switch the book off per organisation.
Client book
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (6)
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
Imagine: ideas, demand and supply
  1. Open Imagine to browse ideas for new formats, partnerships and activations, with where, what, budget, timing and format.
  2. Signed in, vote, say you want it, or post your own. Suppliers can offer to supply an idea or claim a gap with a listing; the poster accepts or declines each offer.
  3. Turn an idea into a brief or an Opportunity Plan, or escalate it to the Arena Desk with a note (once per 14 days).
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (8)
Which signup should I pick?

Pick Supplier for kit, print, merch or production. Pick Service partner for marketing, promotion or on-ground services.

How do I hear about work?

A buyer invites you to an RFQ, or an open tender you are eligible for alerts you. Automatic need-fit alerts depend on your plan and on Arena's alert setting (Premium by default). Keep cities, catalogue, MOQ and lead time filled in.

How are itemised quotes compared?

The total is the sum of your price lines plus any sample cost. Buyers see the lines side by side, with the lowest unit price per item and the fastest delivery flagged. Sealed tender bids stay hidden until the buyer reveals them.

Who approves the logo on kit?

If the buyer has an agreed or active sponsorship with a brand, that brand approves your design proof (or asks for changes) from a logo approval page. Otherwise the buyer approves it as a normal step.

I run a league or I am a supplier. Which sign-up option do I pick?

Pick League (sports or culture) or Supplier (kit, print, merch, production). Arena remembers that choice, so your first step and your menu fit your work: leagues are pointed to listing the league, naming rights and tenders; suppliers to their supplier offer, quote requests, tenders and merch.

What is the difference between an RFQ and an open tender?

They are one system. An RFQ invites suppliers you pick from your matches to quote. An open tender is public to every eligible supplier, with a spec, quality checklist, eligibility rules, sealed or open bids and optional revised rounds. Both end with an award that opens a deal.

How does two-way matching work, and what does Premium add?

Every need is matched against offers and every offer against needs, for sports and culture, with the score explained. Premium unlocks full match lists, exact scores, named counterparties and automatic need-fit alerts; Arena admins manage Premium and there are no payments on Arena.

Does Arena take payments or offer live chat?

No. Arena has a message wall on every request and deal, and money (sponsorship fees, grants, quotes, commission) is settled offline between the parties. There is no live chat, WhatsApp integration or payment collection.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

Sports federation / association

Read the Solutions page

What you can do

  • Publish a Federation listing with your identity: official name, discipline, national / state / district jurisdiction, affiliation, championships, member units and the rights you offer (title, naming, kit, official supplier)
  • Verify with an affiliation or sports-authority letter to get the Official federation badge on your listings and in Explore (Federations filter)
  • Offer naming rights; post needs, request quotes and open tenders for kit, venues, broadcast and travel
  • Keep a Partner / Sponsor book with past deal · interest auto-match
  • Fund athletes and programmes as a funder (CSR or private)
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (6)

Readiness checklist

Free
  1. Each listing shows Ready N/5: pricing, audience proof, dates, media, rights.
  2. Press Fix now on the next missing item. Unpriced listings are not shown in matches.
My listings

Live preview while you publish

Free
  1. The publish form shows how buyers will see your card as you type.
  2. Check the title, price and audience line, then publish.
Create listing

Sponsor book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Sponsor book of past sponsors and brands of interest. Mark each row Past deal or Potential interest.
  2. When new needs and briefs land, see past · interest matches privately. Counts free; details Premium.
Sponsor book

Media evidence

Free
  1. Add links to photos, reels, coverage and reports, with usage rights and an expiry date.
  2. Mark what is cleared for commercial use. Expired rights are flagged. Arena stores links, not files.
Media evidence

Sell a broadcast bundle

Free
  1. Create a bundle: production cost, production partner and distribution slot. Four sponsor slots are priced for you to edit.
  2. Publish to sponsors and confirm each reservation. The funding bar shows how much of production is covered. Packaging and selling only, no streaming tech.
Broadcast bundles

Prospect Radar and pitch drafts

Premium
  1. Prospect Radar suggests who to pitch next: renewals from your book, lookalike and adjacent-category brands, and brands sponsoring rivals, with category exclusivity respected.
  2. Draft a pitch from a prospect, then log it in the Outreach log.
Prospect Radar
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (8)
Federations and culture / tourism boards
  1. Sign up as Sports federation / association or Culture or tourism board.
  2. In Settings, request verification with an official or government document and a link to it.
  3. Publish offers (leagues, championships, festivals, destinations, naming rights) and post needs or tenders from the Offers & needs menu.
  4. Federations: choose the Federation listing type and fill in Federation identity (jurisdiction, affiliation, championships, member units, rights). Brands can ask for Federations in a brief, and CSR funders can choose to fund federations.
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Naming rights and long-term partnerships
  1. On a stadium, league, festival or venue listing, choose Propose naming rights / multi-year.
  2. Set the start year, number of years, year-1 fee and annual escalation %: Arena builds the year-by-year schedule.
  3. Add the renewal date, right-of-first-refusal deadline and reminder window. Renewal reminders to both sides come from a scheduled job, so they arrive when Arena runs it.
  4. The rights holder accepts to open the deal; track each year as delivered with reach, activations and attendance.
Sponsorship and funding applications
  1. Athletes, creators, properties and leagues, events and communities apply under Funding applications: private sponsorship, CSR grant or scholarship, with amount, purpose, achievements, documents, sponsor benefits and CSR impact.
  2. Arena verifies documents (federation registration, NGO, 80G, CSR-1). Brands, agencies, federations and culture or tourism boards set a funder profile and are alerted when an application fits.
  3. Funders shortlist, ask questions on the message wall and approve full or partial amounts; several funders can co-fund.
  4. Each approval opens a deal with milestones; the applicant uploads proof per milestone and the funder accepts it.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (10)
How do I get the official badge?

In Settings, request verification with your affiliation letter (or another official document) and a link. When Arena approves it, your Federation listings show Official federation; until then they show Federation, not yet verified.

We listed as a Property before. Do we need to start again?

No. Listings from a federation account already show under Federations in Explore. Edit the listing and switch the type to Federation to add championships, member units and rights.

Can I fund programmes too?

Yes — use funding tools when you act as a funder, and tenders when you buy services.

Can I sell league franchises?

Not at the moment. Franchise sales are parked and not in the federation workspace menu.

Who can sign up as a federation or tourism board, and how are they verified?

State and national sports federations and associations, and culture departments, tourism boards and arts councils. They verify with official or government documents (affiliation or recognition letters, government orders, department letters, gov.in domains, registrations), reviewed by Arena.

Are franchise sales available?

Not at the moment. The franchise module is parked and hidden from workspace menus. Leagues and federations can sell naming rights, multi-year partnerships and sponsorship inventory today.

How do naming-rights escalations and renewals work?

You set the year-1 fee and an annual escalation percentage; Arena calculates each year's fee and the total contract value. The renewal date and right-of-first-refusal deadline trigger reminders to both sides inside the reminder window you choose, sent by a scheduled job when Arena runs it.

Which documents does Arena check for funding applications?

Federation or association registration, NGO / trust registration, 80G and CSR-1 certificates and identity proof. An Arena admin reviews them and the application shows as documents verified; funders can choose to see only verified applications.

Can several funders back one application?

Yes. A funder can approve the full amount or part of it; co-funders can cover the rest until the application is fully funded. Each approval is its own deal with its own milestones and proof.

What is the difference between an RFQ and an open tender?

They are one system. An RFQ invites suppliers you pick from your matches to quote. An open tender is public to every eligible supplier, with a spec, quality checklist, eligibility rules, sealed or open bids and optional revised rounds. Both end with an award that opens a deal.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

Culture or tourism board

Read the Solutions page

What you can do

  • Verify with a government order, department letter or gov.in domain
  • Offer festivals, destinations, heritage venues and naming rights
  • Post needs and open tenders for staging, printing, production and promotion (quote requests to picked suppliers are not part of this workspace; use an open tender)
  • Fund artists and cultural programmes; keep a Partner book for past and interest brands
  • Once a deal starts, track deliverables, share proof of delivery, raise disputes and plan renewals in the deal room.
Step-by-step guides for this role (7)

Readiness checklist

Free
  1. Each listing shows Ready N/5: pricing, audience proof, dates, media, rights.
  2. Press Fix now on the next missing item. Unpriced listings are not shown in matches.
My listings

Live preview while you publish

Free
  1. The publish form shows how buyers will see your card as you type.
  2. Check the title, price and audience line, then publish.
Create listing

Sponsor book and auto-match

Free + Premium
  1. Keep one private Sponsor book of past sponsors and brands of interest. Mark each row Past deal or Potential interest.
  2. When new needs and briefs land, see past · interest matches privately. Counts free; details Premium.
Sponsor book

Media evidence

Free
  1. Add links to photos, reels, coverage and reports, with usage rights and an expiry date.
  2. Mark what is cleared for commercial use. Expired rights are flagged. Arena stores links, not files.
Media evidence

Apply for an Arena Live slot

Free
  1. Open a city strand and pick an open date.
  2. Apply with one of your listings and a one-line pitch. You are notified when the owner gives you the slot.
Arena Live

Hire officials, hosts and crew

Free
  1. Post a hiring need: role, count, city, dates, level, certified only.
  2. Matches are filtered by role, verified certification, level, availability and travel radius. Press Invite.
Hire experts

Prospect Radar and pitch drafts

Premium
  1. Prospect Radar suggests who to pitch next: renewals from your book, lookalike and adjacent-category brands, and brands sponsoring rivals, with category exclusivity respected.
  2. Draft a pitch from a prospect, then log it in the Outreach log.
Prospect Radar
For everyone with an active deal (7)

Agreement terms and renewals

Free
  1. On a deal, open Terms. Either side proposes value, dates, exclusivity, deliverables and payment terms.
  2. The other side presses Accept terms. Deliverables join the matrix and the exclusive category is protected.
  3. A renewal prompt goes to both sides 60 to 90 days before the renewal date, when Arena runs its scheduled reminders.
Open deals

Deliverable alerts

Free
  1. Deliverables with a due date alert the owning side 3 days before, and again every 3 days once overdue. These alerts are sent by a scheduled job, so they depend on Arena running it.
  2. Due and overdue chips always show on the deal's deliverables matrix.
Open deals

My desk

Free
  1. My desk shows one thing to do next, taken from your own deals, listings, bookings and strands.
  2. Below it: your event flow for the next 30 days and your audience totals. Nothing is invented.
My desk

Relationships

Free
  1. See who you have worked with, from your published partners and your Arena deals, each with its source.
  2. Your private client book shows here for you only. It is never shown to anyone else.
Relationships

Deliverable disputes, make-good and waivers

Free
  1. On the deal's deliverables matrix, either side can dispute a line with a reason while the matrix is open.
  2. The delivering side proposes a make-good (the line goes back to proposed for both to confirm), or the buying side waives it. Each change is recorded on the deal.
Open deals

Activation proof and measurement pack

Free
  1. Each activation step takes proof; the other side acknowledges it or asks for changes.
  2. Agree measurement objectives, report results against them and confirm the pack. Log results on the deal's Results page and start a renewal from the deal.
Open deals

Invite the Arena Desk

Free
  1. Either side of a deal can invite an Arena Desk supervisor to keep it moving.
  2. The Desk can nudge, request changes and propose a make-good, and is released when the job is done.
Open deals
How-tos for this role (8)
Federations and culture / tourism boards
  1. Sign up as Sports federation / association or Culture or tourism board.
  2. In Settings, request verification with an official or government document and a link to it.
  3. Publish offers (leagues, championships, festivals, destinations, naming rights) and post needs or tenders from the Offers & needs menu.
  4. Federations: choose the Federation listing type and fill in Federation identity (jurisdiction, affiliation, championships, member units, rights). Brands can ask for Federations in a brief, and CSR funders can choose to fund federations.
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Naming rights and long-term partnerships
  1. On a stadium, league, festival or venue listing, choose Propose naming rights / multi-year.
  2. Set the start year, number of years, year-1 fee and annual escalation %: Arena builds the year-by-year schedule.
  3. Add the renewal date, right-of-first-refusal deadline and reminder window. Renewal reminders to both sides come from a scheduled job, so they arrive when Arena runs it.
  4. The rights holder accepts to open the deal; track each year as delivered with reach, activations and attendance.
Sponsorship and funding applications
  1. Athletes, creators, properties and leagues, events and communities apply under Funding applications: private sponsorship, CSR grant or scholarship, with amount, purpose, achievements, documents, sponsor benefits and CSR impact.
  2. Arena verifies documents (federation registration, NGO, 80G, CSR-1). Brands, agencies, federations and culture or tourism boards set a funder profile and are alerted when an application fits.
  3. Funders shortlist, ask questions on the message wall and approve full or partial amounts; several funders can co-fund.
  4. Each approval opens a deal with milestones; the applicant uploads proof per milestone and the funder accepts it.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Questions for this role (7)
What should I publish first?

Your festival or destination calendar with dates, audience and rate cards, then tenders for everything you buy.

Sports and culture on one platform?

Yes. Matching and Marketplace cover both; use culture tags and domain so the right brands find you.

Who can sign up as a federation or tourism board, and how are they verified?

State and national sports federations and associations, and culture departments, tourism boards and arts councils. They verify with official or government documents (affiliation or recognition letters, government orders, department letters, gov.in domains, registrations), reviewed by Arena.

How do naming-rights escalations and renewals work?

You set the year-1 fee and an annual escalation percentage; Arena calculates each year's fee and the total contract value. The renewal date and right-of-first-refusal deadline trigger reminders to both sides inside the reminder window you choose, sent by a scheduled job when Arena runs it.

What is the difference between an RFQ and an open tender?

They are one system. An RFQ invites suppliers you pick from your matches to quote. An open tender is public to every eligible supplier, with a spec, quality checklist, eligibility rules, sealed or open bids and optional revised rounds. Both end with an award that opens a deal.

Can several funders back one application?

Yes. A funder can approve the full amount or part of it; co-funders can cover the rest until the application is fully funded. Each approval is its own deal with its own milestones and proof.

Which documents does Arena check for funding applications?

Federation or association registration, NGO / trust registration, 80G and CSR-1 certificates and identity proof. An Arena admin reviews them and the application shows as documents verified; funders can choose to see only verified applications.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

Expert: official, coach or presenter (any business account, not a signup choice)

Open it on Arena

What you can do

  • Create an expert profile from any business account. There is no separate expert signup.
  • List your roles, such as umpire, referee, scorer, judge, coach, commentator, MC, host, anchor or DJ, along with your sports or genres, languages, city, travel radius and day rate.
  • Add your certifications as document links. Arena checks them before you are shown as certified.
  • Block the dates when you are not available, so organisers only invite you when you are free.
  • Accept invitations from organisers, read the day sheet for the event, and confirm the booking after the event.
Step-by-step guides for this role (1)

Get booked

Free
  1. Any account can create an expert profile (there is no separate expert signup): roles (umpire, referee, scorer, judge, coach, commentator, MC, host, anchor, DJ), sports or genres, languages, city, travel radius and day rate.
  2. Add certifications as document links. Arena verifies them before you show as certified. Block dates you are not free.
  3. Accept invites, read the day sheet, and confirm after the event. Payment is settled offline.
Expert profile
How-tos for this role (2)
Notifications and email
  1. Notifications show new requests, responses, approvals and deal updates.
  2. Similar updates are grouped so your inbox stays readable.
  3. Open a notification to go straight to the request or deal that needs action.
  4. Choose your email preferences on the Notifications page. Emails are sent only when Arena's email service is configured; otherwise updates stay in the app.
Support, disputes and reporting a listing
  1. Open Support to raise a ticket: payment, deliverable dispute, conduct, technical, account or other. Link the deal if there is one.
  2. Arena aims to respond within 24 hours and resolve within 72 hours; replies arrive on the ticket.
  3. To report a misleading or abusive listing, use Report this listing on its page (signed in). Arena reviews it and can archive the listing.
Questions for this role (6)
Do I need a special account to be an expert?

No. Any business account can create an expert profile from the Experts area of Workspace. Your profile sits alongside whatever else your account does on Arena.

How do I show as certified?

Add each certification as a link to the document. An Arena admin reviews it, and once it is approved your profile shows as certified for that role.

How am I paid for a booking?

Your day rate is agreed on Arena, but payment is settled offline between you and the organiser. Arena does not collect or hold money.

Does Arena take payments or offer live chat?

No. Arena has a message wall on every request and deal, and money (sponsorship fees, grants, quotes, commission) is settled offline between the parties. There is no live chat, WhatsApp integration or payment collection.

What do the verification labels mean?

Labels show how much has been confirmed about a listing, from unverified (self-declared) to verified (checked by Arena or backed by evidence such as past delivery). They help buyers judge confidence, not quality.

How do I get help or raise a dispute?

Open Support in Workspace and raise a ticket (payment, deliverable dispute, conduct, technical, account or other). Arena aims to respond within 24 hours and resolve within 72 hours. Report a listing from its page.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

What you can do

  • Browse the marketplace, listings and the Requirements Wall without an account
  • Read public Imagine ideas (voting and posting need a business account)
How-tos for this role (1)
Imagine: ideas, demand and supply
  1. Open Imagine to browse ideas for new formats, partnerships and activations, with where, what, budget, timing and format.
  2. Signed in, vote, say you want it, or post your own. Suppliers can offer to supply an idea or claim a gap with a listing; the poster accepts or declines each offer.
  3. Turn an idea into a brief or an Opportunity Plan, or escalate it to the Arena Desk with a note (once per 14 days).
Questions for this role (5)
Can I open Workspace as a fan?

No. Arena is for sports and culture organisations, so there is no Fan signup. Older fan accounts that open a workspace are sent back to the marketplace with a short note.

Can I follow listings or ideas?

Not today. There is no follow or watchlist feature; bookmark the public page instead.

How do I become a commercial user?

Sign up with your organisation under Brand, Sports property / league, Creator, Media company or another business role.

Can fans use Arena?

Anyone can browse the marketplace, listings, Imagine and the Requirements Wall without an account. There is no Fan signup and no follow feature: workspaces for listings, deals, tenders and funding are for sports and culture organisations, so an older fan account opening one is sent back to the marketplace with a short note.

What does the Sample badge mean?

Sample marks demo listings so you never mistake them for live inventory. Freshness badges show when a listing or asset was last updated.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

Arena admin (staff, not a signup choice)

Open it on Arena

What you can do

  • Users: suspend or reinstate accounts, change roles, issue password-reset links
  • Trust: verify organisations, expert certifications and funding documents; review listing reports and moderate listings and Imagine ideas
  • Commercial settings: matching mode and alerts, Free / Premium per feature, Premium per organisation, feature groups per organisation, commission rules
  • Desks: Opportunity desk, Desk brief reviews, media brief routing to media companies, tenders oversight, support and dispute desk
  • Oversight: every deal, metrics, MIS for all organisations, the audit log, the contact inbox and demo-data clean-up
Step-by-step guides for this role (3)

Review and switches

  1. Verify or reject expert certifications, organisations and funding documents.
  2. Set each feature to Free or Premium (Platform settings), grant Premium per organisation (Users), and switch feature groups per organisation (client book, outreach, MIS, experts).
Platform settings

Desks and routing

  1. Desk brief reviews answer Premium brief reviews with curated listings inside the SLA; the Opportunity desk qualifies requests and coordinates owners; Media briefs & plans routes brand media briefs to media companies.
  2. Support desk handles payment, deliverable-dispute, conduct, technical and account tickets (first response within 24h, resolution within 72h).
Support desk

Commission rules

  1. Set the Arena commission rate by domain, category, owner role and tier (5% by default).
  2. It is recorded on each deal and shown to people allowed to see money; Arena does not collect it in the app.
Commission rules
How-tos for this role (2)
Support, disputes and reporting a listing
  1. Open Support to raise a ticket: payment, deliverable dispute, conduct, technical, account or other. Link the deal if there is one.
  2. Arena aims to respond within 24 hours and resolve within 72 hours; replies arrive on the ticket.
  3. To report a misleading or abusive listing, use Report this listing on its page (signed in). Arena reviews it and can archive the listing.
Scheduled reminders
  1. Some reminders are sent by scheduled jobs rather than when you click: stalled-deal nudges, deliverable due and overdue alerts, deal-terms renewal prompts, naming-rights renewal and first-refusal reminders, social-stat refreshes and stale-stat reminders, and the weekly client-book digest.
  2. On Arena's hosted service these jobs run once a day in the morning (India time), and the client-book digest once a week on Mondays, so a reminder can arrive up to a day after it becomes due. Inventory past its deadline is expired by the same daily run. A self-hosted copy of Arena sends these reminders only if its scheduler calls the jobs.
  3. Whatever the jobs do, deal pages always show due and overdue chips, whose turn it is and the renewal date, so check the deal itself.
Questions for this role (6)
Where are the admin tools?

Signed in as an admin, Workspace shows an Admin section (Admin workspace, listings, desks, settings) and More shows parked modules such as Franchises.

Is every admin change logged?

Admin and security actions are written to an append-only audit log; the latest 200 show under Audit.

What is free and what is Premium?

Free (defaults): listings, deal-making, matching tease (top 3 matches with score bands; names as type · city), must-have filters, readiness, agreement terms, media evidence, outreach log, deal check-ins, universal Client / Partner book capture, CSV import and past · interest match counts for every commercial role, experts, broadcast bundles, Arena Live, My desk and relationships. Premium: full match lists, exact scores, counterparty names, automatic need-fit alerts, shareable match narratives, unit pricing and packages in briefs, Sponsor book prospecting, supplier scores on quotes, client-book match details and digest, client media plans with versions, Prospect Radar, pitch drafts, Arena Desk brief review, and MIS with export. Arena admins can flip any key Free or Premium, or turn Client book off per organisation. Request Premium from Upgrade; it is arranged with the Arena team and there are no payments on Arena.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

Which documents does Arena check for funding applications?

Federation or association registration, NGO / trust registration, 80G and CSR-1 certificates and identity proof. An Arena admin reviews them and the application shows as documents verified; funders can choose to see only verified applications.

How do I get help or raise a dispute?

Open Support in Workspace and raise a ticket (payment, deliverable dispute, conduct, technical, account or other). Arena aims to respond within 24 hours and resolve within 72 hours. Report a listing from its page.

Questions that apply to every role are in the Shared FAQ, and general step-by-step help is in How-tos for everyone.

How-tos for everyone

Step by step

Every how-to on one list. Your role card above already shows the ones that matter most to you.
Create and publish a property
  1. Open Workspace and go to My listings, then create a new listing.
  2. Add the basics: name, category, location, audience and a short description.
  3. Add inventory: each asset (jersey branding, LED boards, content, sampling) with its rate card, or mark it price on request.
  4. Set availability dates so brands only see what they can actually buy.
  5. Choose whether agencies may package this property for their clients (on by default).
  6. Verify your email (a signed link valid for 48 hours is sent at signup and can be re-sent from the dashboard), then submit for publishing. Once published, it appears in Marketplace and in brand matches.
Build a brief with Brief Builder
  1. Open Brief Builder and fill in brand, campaign goal, category, audience, markets and budget.
  2. Add preferred sports, creator niches and the asset types you need.
  3. Optionally adjust the spend split across media, creators, properties and community.
  4. Review the matched plan and the budget fit, then save the brief to Campaigns.
Build a client media plan (agency packaging, Premium)
  1. From a saved brief or media brief, choose Build client media plan. Client media plans are Premium by default.
  2. Enter the client name and your agency margin.
  3. Review lines: your own inventory is placed first, partner inventory completes the plan within budget.
  4. Remove lines or change unused-budget choices, then share the client link or print it as a PDF.
  5. Request partner lines from owners. Each owner approves or declines being packaged.
Turn agency packaging on or off
  1. Go to My listings.
  2. On each listing, use Allow agencies to package this property.
  3. When off, agencies cannot add that listing to new client plans. Direct brand requests are unaffected.
From request to deal
  1. Request: a brand or agency asks for specific inventory.
  2. Response: the owner accepts, declines, asks for more information or sends a proposal.
  3. Deal: accepting creates a deal. Both sides confirm the deliverables.
  4. Contract signed, then Live: once confirmed, the deal status moves to Contract signed, then Live.
  5. Proof and reporting: the owner shares proof of delivery and results; disputed lines end in a make-good or a waiver.
Imagine: ideas, demand and supply
  1. Open Imagine to browse ideas for new formats, partnerships and activations, with where, what, budget, timing and format.
  2. Signed in, vote, say you want it, or post your own. Suppliers can offer to supply an idea or claim a gap with a listing; the poster accepts or declines each offer.
  3. Turn an idea into a brief or an Opportunity Plan, or escalate it to the Arena Desk with a note (once per 14 days).
Notifications and email
  1. Notifications show new requests, responses, approvals and deal updates.
  2. Similar updates are grouped so your inbox stays readable.
  3. Open a notification to go straight to the request or deal that needs action.
  4. Choose your email preferences on the Notifications page. Emails are sent only when Arena's email service is configured; otherwise updates stay in the app.
Support, disputes and reporting a listing
  1. Open Support to raise a ticket: payment, deliverable dispute, conduct, technical, account or other. Link the deal if there is one.
  2. Arena aims to respond within 24 hours and resolve within 72 hours; replies arrive on the ticket.
  3. To report a misleading or abusive listing, use Report this listing on its page (signed in). Arena reviews it and can archive the listing.
Two-way smart matching (and Premium)
  1. Post a need (Workspace, Post a need) or publish an offer: matching runs both ways, for sports and culture.
  2. Your matches shows who can supply what you need and who needs what you offer, with each score explained factor by factor.
  3. Automatic need-fit alerts to matching suppliers and owners are Premium by default and only run when Arena has match alerts switched on. Tender alerts to eligible suppliers and RFQ invites are separate and always sent.
  4. Full match lists, exact scores and named counterparties are Premium (admin-managed, no payments on Arena); free accounts see the top 3 with score bands and type · city.
Deal next-step guide
  1. Every deal shows its stage, whose turn it is (per side and team role) and the one action that moves it forward.
  2. Agreement templates (sponsorship, naming rights, supply, CSR grant, merch licensing and more) are generated from the deal.
  3. Stalled-deal nudges are sent by a scheduled job, so they arrive only when Arena runs it. Money is always settled offline between the parties.
Availability calendar
  1. Open Calendar and mark dates as booked, on hold for a brand or not offered, for a whole listing or one inventory unit.
  2. Brands see what is free on your public listing; your notes stay private.
  3. Matching ranks a listing lower when the needed date is blocked.
Teams and approvals
  1. Open Team to invite colleagues as admin, manager, member or viewer.
  2. Set a deal approval limit: deals above it need a manager, admin or owner to approve.
  3. Viewers and members can be kept from seeing money; activity is logged.
Analytics
  1. Analytics shows spend and earnings, deal wins, request-to-deal conversion, response times and listing views.
  2. Multi-year partnerships roll up contracted vs delivered value and reach by year.
  3. Funders get an ROI / impact report: committed and released amounts, proofs, beneficiaries and cost per beneficiary.
Request quotes (RFQ) and post open tenders
  1. Brands, agencies, properties, leagues, events, communities, media companies, tech creators, service partners and federations can request quotes; culture and tourism boards use open tenders.
  2. From a need, choose Request quotes to invite matched suppliers; compare itemised quotes side by side and award one.
  3. For open bidding, post a tender with a detailed spec, quality checklist, sample / inspection rules, budget ceiling, eligibility and sealed or open bids.
  4. Eligible suppliers are alerted and bid; ask clarifications on the message wall, run a revised round if needed, then award: the award opens a deal.
Merch & co-branded drops
  1. Post a Kit, merch & co-branded need (in Workspace, choose Post a need) so matching finds athletes, creators, properties and kit/print partners — or open a listing and choose Propose merch / co-branded. Every business role except tech creators can do this.
  2. Agree terms: royalty, revenue share, flat licence fee, or barter / co-branding; set products, units, launch window and channels.
  3. Both sides confirm. The partner then shares designs for the rights holder to approve, followed by production, launch and sales reports. The IP and merchandise licensing template is on the collaboration.
Creator social stats
  1. On a creator, athlete or artist listing, add social accounts with followers, reach, engagement and audience details.
  2. Connect YouTube where Arena has switched it on; Instagram connect is waiting on Meta app review. Otherwise enter numbers manually; labels show Connected, Admin-checked or Self-reported.
  3. Follower counts feed the audience-size factor in matching. Connected accounts refresh and stale manual stats (90+ days) get a reminder through a scheduled job, when Arena runs it.
Federations and culture / tourism boards
  1. Sign up as Sports federation / association or Culture or tourism board.
  2. In Settings, request verification with an official or government document and a link to it.
  3. Publish offers (leagues, championships, festivals, destinations, naming rights) and post needs or tenders from the Offers & needs menu.
  4. Federations: choose the Federation listing type and fill in Federation identity (jurisdiction, affiliation, championships, member units, rights). Brands can ask for Federations in a brief, and CSR funders can choose to fund federations.
Naming rights and long-term partnerships
  1. On a stadium, league, festival or venue listing, choose Propose naming rights / multi-year.
  2. Set the start year, number of years, year-1 fee and annual escalation %: Arena builds the year-by-year schedule.
  3. Add the renewal date, right-of-first-refusal deadline and reminder window. Renewal reminders to both sides come from a scheduled job, so they arrive when Arena runs it.
  4. The rights holder accepts to open the deal; track each year as delivered with reach, activations and attendance.
Sponsorship and funding applications
  1. Athletes, creators, properties and leagues, events and communities apply under Funding applications: private sponsorship, CSR grant or scholarship, with amount, purpose, achievements, documents, sponsor benefits and CSR impact.
  2. Arena verifies documents (federation registration, NGO, 80G, CSR-1). Brands, agencies, federations and culture or tourism boards set a funder profile and are alerted when an application fits.
  3. Funders shortlist, ask questions on the message wall and approve full or partial amounts; several funders can co-fund.
  4. Each approval opens a deal with milestones; the applicant uploads proof per milestone and the funder accepts it.
Scheduled reminders
  1. Some reminders are sent by scheduled jobs rather than when you click: stalled-deal nudges, deliverable due and overdue alerts, deal-terms renewal prompts, naming-rights renewal and first-refusal reminders, social-stat refreshes and stale-stat reminders, and the weekly client-book digest.
  2. On Arena's hosted service these jobs run once a day in the morning (India time), and the client-book digest once a week on Mondays, so a reminder can arrive up to a day after it becomes due. Inventory past its deadline is expired by the same daily run. A self-hosted copy of Arena sends these reminders only if its scheduler calls the jobs.
  3. Whatever the jobs do, deal pages always show due and overdue chips, whose turn it is and the renewal date, so check the deal itself.

Opportunities & benefits

Why use Arena

One marketplace

Properties, events, creators, media and communities in one place, with live inventory and rate cards.

Integrated solutions

Media, creators, properties and community combined into one plan that fits the client budget.

Faster deals

Clear request, approval and deal stages, so nothing stalls in email threads.

Control for owners

Rights holders decide who can package their inventory and see their payout before they agree.

New revenue

Media companies and agencies sell integrated plans; rights holders reach brands they could not reach alone.

Proof of delivery

Deliverables, proof and reporting are tracked per deal for renewals.

Sports and culture together

Leagues, federations, festivals, tourism boards, venues, creators and artists on one marketplace with two-way matching.

Buy as well as sell

Quote requests and open tenders bring suppliers to buyers' needs, with itemised quotes, compliance, eligibility and a clean award.

Long-term value

Naming rights and multi-year partnerships with escalation, renewals and year-by-year rollups.

Funding with proof

Sponsorship, CSR grants and scholarships released against milestones, with verified documents and an impact report.

Shared FAQ

Questions that apply to everyone

Questions for your role, including the most relevant ones from this list, are in your role card above. This list covers the whole platform.
I run a league or I am a supplier. Which sign-up option do I pick?

Pick League (sports or culture) or Supplier (kit, print, merch, production). Arena remembers that choice, so your first step and your menu fit your work: leagues are pointed to listing the league, naming rights and tenders; suppliers to their supplier offer, quote requests, tenders and merch.

Can fans use Arena?

Anyone can browse the marketplace, listings, Imagine and the Requirements Wall without an account. There is no Fan signup and no follow feature: workspaces for listings, deals, tenders and funding are for sports and culture organisations, so an older fan account opening one is sent back to the marketplace with a short note.

Will I hear back if a funder says no?

Yes. Applicants are notified when a funder declines and when a funder accepts a milestone.

How is pricing set? What does 'price on request' mean?

Each asset has a rate card set by its owner. Some owners prefer to quote per brief, so the asset shows price on request. Those lines are included in plans and priced with the owner before contract.

What does Arena charge on a deal?

Each deal records an Arena commission rate (5% by default; admins can set rules by domain, category, owner role and tier). Team members allowed to see money see it on the deal with the owner's net payout; it comes out of the owner's side and is never added to the brand's price. Arena does not collect it in the app: there is no invoice or payment step, and money is settled offline between the parties.

Who sees the agency margin?

Only the agency or media company building the plan, and Arena admins. Clients see a single price per line. Owners see their own rate card, the commission and their payout.

What do the verification labels mean?

Labels show how much has been confirmed about a listing, from unverified (self-declared) to verified (checked by Arena or backed by evidence such as past delivery). They help buyers judge confidence, not quality.

Why is my listing not showing?

A listing appears in Marketplace and matches only when it is published, has at least one available asset with a type and a rate card (or price on request), and that asset has not expired. Drafts, paused listings and sold-out inventory are hidden, and new accounts must verify their email before publishing live.

How do location and match scores work?

A match score summarises how well a listing fits a brief: audience, category, sport, location, assets and budget. Listings in the brief's city or state score higher, regional and national reach score a little lower, and far-away listings lower still. Missing details in a brief are treated as neutral. Only strong matches are used to build plans.

What is the budget split and what happens to unused budget?

The split divides the budget across media, creators, properties and community. If one area cannot use its share, the plan shows how much is unused and lets you choose: keep it for the best lines in any area, move it to a specific area, or leave it unspent.

What needs approval?

When an agency or media company includes your inventory in a client plan, you approve or decline agency packaging. Accepting the request also counts as approval. Deals then need both sides to confirm deliverables before contract.

Can I stop agencies from packaging my inventory?

Yes. Turn off Allow agencies to package this property on the listing. Brands can still contact you directly.

Does Arena take payments or offer live chat?

No. Arena has a message wall on every request and deal, and money (sponsorship fees, grants, quotes, commission) is settled offline between the parties. There is no live chat, WhatsApp integration or payment collection.

What is the difference between an RFQ and an open tender?

They are one system. An RFQ invites suppliers you pick from your matches to quote. An open tender is public to every eligible supplier, with a spec, quality checklist, eligibility rules, sealed or open bids and optional revised rounds. Both end with an award that opens a deal.

How does two-way matching work, and what does Premium add?

Every need is matched against offers and every offer against needs, for sports and culture, with the score explained. Premium unlocks full match lists, exact scores, named counterparties and automatic need-fit alerts; Arena admins manage Premium and there are no payments on Arena.

Who can sign up as a federation or tourism board, and how are they verified?

State and national sports federations and associations, and culture departments, tourism boards and arts councils. They verify with official or government documents (affiliation or recognition letters, government orders, department letters, gov.in domains, registrations), reviewed by Arena.

How do naming-rights escalations and renewals work?

You set the year-1 fee and an annual escalation percentage; Arena calculates each year's fee and the total contract value. The renewal date and right-of-first-refusal deadline trigger reminders to both sides inside the reminder window you choose, sent by a scheduled job when Arena runs it.

Are franchise sales available?

Not at the moment. The franchise module is parked and hidden from workspace menus. Leagues and federations can sell naming rights, multi-year partnerships and sponsorship inventory today.

Can several funders back one application?

Yes. A funder can approve the full amount or part of it; co-funders can cover the rest until the application is fully funded. Each approval is its own deal with its own milestones and proof.

Which documents does Arena check for funding applications?

Federation or association registration, NGO / trust registration, 80G and CSR-1 certificates and identity proof. An Arena admin reviews them and the application shows as documents verified; funders can choose to see only verified applications.

Are follower counts verified?

Each social account is labelled Connected (pulled from the platform), Admin-checked or Self-reported. Stats you mark as 'in talks only' are hidden publicly and are not used in matching.

Does Arena score reputation or trust?

No. There is no reputation score. Arena records where each number came from and who confirmed it (Reported, Confirmed, Verified), and shows Sample and freshness badges, so you can judge for yourself.

What is free and what is Premium?

Free (defaults): listings, deal-making, matching tease (top 3 matches with score bands; names as type · city), must-have filters, readiness, agreement terms, media evidence, outreach log, deal check-ins, universal Client / Partner book capture, CSV import and past · interest match counts for every commercial role, experts, broadcast bundles, Arena Live, My desk and relationships. Premium: full match lists, exact scores, counterparty names, automatic need-fit alerts, shareable match narratives, unit pricing and packages in briefs, Sponsor book prospecting, supplier scores on quotes, client-book match details and digest, client media plans with versions, Prospect Radar, pitch drafts, Arena Desk brief review, and MIS with export. Arena admins can flip any key Free or Premium, or turn Client book off per organisation. Request Premium from Upgrade; it is arranged with the Arena team and there are no payments on Arena.

Who can see my client book?

Only your organisation. Every commercial role (brands, media, agencies, properties, talent, federations, boards) can keep one private book with past deal and potential interest. It feeds your own auto-match and Relationships page. It never appears on public pages, to other organisations, or in shared match narratives.

What does the Sample badge mean?

Sample marks demo listings so you never mistake them for live inventory. Freshness badges show when a listing or asset was last updated.

How do I get help or raise a dispute?

Open Support in Workspace and raise a ticket (payment, deliverable dispute, conduct, technical, account or other). Arena aims to respond within 24 hours and resolve within 72 hours. Report a listing from its page.

Start here

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Handbook & FAQ | How to use Arena | Arena