> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.monopoly-run.co.uk/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Why are there no spaces left at our Start Zone?

Because that zone is currently running ahead of the others. We balance groups across the [Start Zones](https://help.monopoly-run.co.uk/en/article/what-are-the-start-zones-and-how-do-we-pick-one-xqb721/) as bookings come in, so a zone is shown as full as soon as it has **2 more groups** than the zone with the fewest.

It's counted in groups, not people — the number of players you're registering makes no difference to zone availability.

Here's the rule in action, using three zones as an example.

| Start Zone 1 | Start Zone 2 | Start Zone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 4 |
| Full | Spaces available | Spaces available |

Another group registers and picks Start Zone 3:

| Start Zone 1 | Start Zone 2 | Start Zone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Full | Spaces available | Full |

Only Start Zone 2 is left for the next group. But if that group had picked Start Zone 2 instead:

| Start Zone 1 | Start Zone 2 | Start Zone 3 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 | 4 |
| Spaces available | Spaces available | Spaces available |

— everything opens up again.

So zones **open and close throughout the booking period** as groups come and go. A zone that's full now may well be available later, and you can change your Start Zone at any point up to the [cut-off deadline](https://help.monopoly-run.co.uk/en/article/what-is-the-cut-off-deadline-1k6k0v/). Over the whole booking window this is what leaves each zone with roughly an equal share of the groups.