Pickleball is currently booming in the world and is a very sociable sport. If you have been playing for a while or just played for a bit, you know that pickleball is very fun to play with friends. Pickleball is also an easy sport to pick up and play, so it is great for team building for local businesses and work colleagues. Whether you’re organizing your first event or looking to try something with your work team, this step-by-step guide will walk you through how to run a smooth and successful pickleball tournament.
1. Set Your Goals and Format
Before anything can happen, you need to take a step back and think about what you are trying to accomplish with the tournament. Start by defining what kind of tournament you want to run. Is it for fun, charity, or competitive ranking? Will it be singles, doubles, or mixed? These are all factors you need to consider and choose because these factors each entail different things and planning processes. Decide on the format early. Will the tournament be round-robin, single-elimination, or double-elimination? Also, what skill levels do you want to include (beginner, intermediate, advanced) so that it is the most fair on everyone? Once you have these steps down, you can move on to step 2.
2. Choose a Date and Secure a Venue
This is now the part that will probably take the most admin because you need to find a date where as many people as possible are free and ready to play. You also need to pick a date that avoids conflicts with major holidays or other local events. Once you have the date, you need to book a venue as soon as possible and make sure the venue has enough courts to handle your expected turnout. Indoor venues offer weather protection, while outdoor ones often feel more casual and relaxed. These two venues just come down to personal preference, but personally I prefer an outdoor court.
3. Set a Budget and Entry Fees
There are quite a few costs that go into setting up a pickleball tournament like, court rental, equipment, permits, prizes, refreshments, and marketing. Depending on what you want your tournament to be can influence what you need to budget for. Once you know your expenses, set an entry fee that covers your costs while still being reasonable for players. Don’t forget to leave room for unexpected expenses that could arise.
4. Create Registration and Promotion Channels
There are many online resources you can use to setup registration forms and get numbers for your tournament. The one I use the most and I think is the easiest to use is Google Forms. All you do is sign in and you can start setting up a sign-up sheet and manage those sign-ups.
If you want to promote your event, you can do so through social media, local pickleball groups, newsletters, and flyers at courts and sports stores. If you are just interested in playing with friends or colleagues, then you dont need to worry about this. But if you don’t know the people coming, then the earlier you start marketing, the better your turnout will be.
5. Organize Brackets and Schedules
As registration rolls in, you will start to get numbers of how many people are going to show up. Once you have about 6 players, you can start to assign players to brackets based on skill level and category. This can be done manually by you or with the use of tournament management software. I have personally only done it manually, but I have seen great success with tournament software. I know my local club uses Playtomic to make their brackets, and that gauges skill level so that is always a great option and Playtomic is used everywhere. Once you have the bracket and schedule, publish them in advance so players know when to arrive and what to expect.
6. Gather Equipment and Volunteers
Now, depending on where you are holding your tournament, this step can either be the easiest step or the most time-consuming. If you are hosting the tournament at a pickleball club then you can just rent everything straight from the venue, but if you are just using a local court it will be a bit more challenging. You need to make sure you have enough balls, paddles (if lending), nets, and first-aid supplies. IUf you don’t want all the work to fall on your shoulders, think of recruiting volunteers to help with check-in, scoring, timekeeping, and general logistics. You will need to provide them with clear instructions and assign specific roles so that they know what to do on the day of the tournament.
7. Run the Tournament Day Smoothly
Now on the day of the tournament, arrive early to set up. Walk around and put up signs that guide players to where they need to be. You can even set up a check-in table so that the players know whats happening and they have a place to go if they have questions. Brief your volunteers, ensure courts are prepped, and kick off the tournament with a welcome speech. Once the tournament starts,, you need to keep the matches moving on time, try to announce the scores regularly and maintain a positive vibe throughout the whole tournament.
8. Award Prizes and Celebrate
Once everyone has played and the finals have wrapped up, try and include an awards ceremony for the players. Recognize winners and thank all participants and volunteers. Prizes can include medals, gift cards, gear, or even fun local items. These prizes do not need to be expensive and can be some fun goodies sponsored by people. Try and capture as many photos for social media and future promotions as possible so that if you have another tournament, you can show new people the vibe they can expect.
9. Follow Up and Get Feedback
Send out a thank-you message to everyone who attended. Include a short survey to gather feedback on what went well and what could be improved. Use this input to make your next tournament even better.
Final Thoughts: Organizing a pickleball tournament takes planning and teamwork, but the payoff is huge, a thriving community and a day full of competition and fun. Follow this guide, stay flexible, and focus on creating a great player experience. You’ve got this!
