Are you new to pickleball and looking to compete in your first tournament? Or are you returning to the court to defend your title or improve your game? Are you a tournament director looking to run an event? Regardless of your skill level, you’re sure to have fun competing with “now friends” and meeting “new friends” in this fast-paced, social sport. The explosive growth of pickleball has led to an increasing slate of tournaments across the country. Set yourself up for success with these upcoming tournament schedules and tips to select competition events that fit your personal needs.
There are many considerations pickleball players could look for in a pickleball tournament. One aspect that may be important to pickleball players is the size of the pickleball tournament (which can impact the event quality and the overall experience for athletes and spectators).
How to Run a Pickleball Tournament
The Tech That Powers the Sport, Pickleball Den – Pickleball Club and Tournament Software, is a powerful and easy way for tournament directors, club managers and league managers to seamlessly organize and run events. The software automates every step of the way from the first registration to the last medal awarded. Pickleball Den is also a fully integrated club and league platform offering a seamless pickleball technology platform.
Pickleball Major Tournaments
The two major pickleball tournaments in the world are:
US OPEN Pickleball Championships
The US Open Pickleball Championships, held in Naples, Florida since 2016, has changed the game in terms of pickleball tournaments and continues to outdo itself every year. In fact, this premier event has more than tripled in size since its inception, which may be due to its focus on the amateur experience and welcoming location.
Hosted at the preeminent East Naples Community Park, the US OPEN Pickleball Championships, should be #1 on your pickleball tournament bucket list. The event is widely known as The Biggest Pickleball Party in the World™ and attracts thousands of athletes and spectators to the weeklong tournament. The US Open Pickleball Championships for the 2024 calendar year will be held April 13-20.
The US OPEN Pickleball Championships General Registration lottery period is January 10-16 (midnight), 2024. Details to note:
- You may register anytime during the General Registration period.
- Priority is NOT given according to when you register.
- You MUST indicate a partner for all doubles events at the time of registration.
- Payment is not required until the confirmation email sent.
Full Registration Details for the US Open Pickleball Championships
USA Pickleball National Championships & Other USA Pickleball Tournaments
USA Pickleball, the governing body for the sport of pickleball in the United States, organizes one of the largest pickleball tournaments in the world, the USA Pickleball National Championships. The 2023 event wrapped up this past weekend in Dallas, TX. Dates for the 2024 USA Pickleball National Championships have not been announced (as of this publish date).
The USA Pickleball 2024 online calendars provide the most up-to-date list of regional tournaments and the National Championship Series for the 2024 calendar year.
Pro Pickleball Tournaments & Events
The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA), the Association of Pickleball Players (APP) as well as Major League Pickleball (MLP) are back in action in 2024. The PPA markets itself as the pro tour where the pros play, while the APP positions itself as the pro tour where everyone plays. The PPA and Major League Pickleball (MLP) again announced plans to merge and published a combined tournament calendar while APP announced multiple event types for 2024.
For a complete rundown of all pro pickleball tournaments and events in the 2024 calendar year, see the list below, and check out each pro tour’s calendar online. (Dates and locations subject to change by organizers.)
- January 3-7: APP – U.S. Collegiate Championships & Midwest Open, Westfield, IN
- January 9-14: PPA – Palm Springs, CA
- January 17-21: APP – Punta Gorda Open, Punta Gorda, FL
- January 31-February 4: PPA – Desert Ridge Open, Phoenix, AZ
- February 1-4: APP – U.S. Champions Cup, Daytona Beach, FL
- February 7-10: MLP – Los Angeles, CA
- February 16-18: APP – Next Gen, San Antonio, TX
- February 17-19: MLP – Mesa, AZ
- February 20-25: PPA – Mesa Arizona Cup, Mesa, AZ
- February 29-March 3: MLP – San Diego, CA
- March 6-10: APP – Sacramento, CA
- March 6-10: PPA – Indoor National Championships, Lakeville, MN
- March 13-17: PPA – Austin Showdown, Austin, TX
- March 20-24: APP – Miami/APP Atlantic Cup, Miami, FL
- March 20-24: PPA – Virginia Beach Open, Virginia Beach, VA
- March 30-April 1: MLP – North Carolina
- April 2-7: PPA – North Carolina Open, Charlotte, NC
- April 3-7: APP – Delray Beach, FL
- April 10-14: PPA – Houston Open, Houston, TX
- April 18-21: PPA – LA Open, Los Angeles, CA
- April 24-28: PPA – Red Rock Open, Saint George, UT
- May 2-5: MLP – Miami, FL
- May 8-12: APP – Cincinnati, OH
- May 11-13: MLP – Atlanta
- May 14-19: PPA – Atlanta Open, Atlanta, GA
- May 22-26: APP – New York City, NY
- May 29-June 2: PPA – Dallas, TX
- June 5-9: PPA – Sacramento, CA
- June 12-16: APP – U.S. Indoor Championships (TBD)
- June 13-16: MLP – TBA
- June 22-24: MLP – San Clemente, CA
- June 26-30: PPA – San Clemente, CA
- July 3-7: APP – Southern California (TBD)
- July 4-7: PPA – Colorado
- July 11-14: MLP – Grand Rapids, MI
- July 18-21: APP – Next Gen, St. Louis, MO
- July 20-22: MLP – Seattle, WA
- July 24-28: PPA – Seattle, WA
- July 24-28: APP – Women’s Open (TBD)
- August 3-5: MLP – Kansas City, KS
- August 8-11: PPA – Kansas City, KS
- August 15-18: PPA – Bristol, TN
- August 24-26: MLP – TBA
- August 28-September 1: APP – Chicago, IL
- September 7-9: MLP – Cincinnati, OH
- September 11-15: PPA – Cincinnati, OH
- September 19-22: MLP – New York City, NY
- September 28-30: MLP – Fort Lauderdale, FL
- October 2-6: PPA – Fort Lauderdale, FL
- October 9-13: APP – Dallas, TX
- October 10-13: PPA – Las Vegas, NV
- October 17-20: MLP – TBA
- October 23-27: APP – Southern California (TBD)
- October 24-27: PPA – Daytona Beach, FL
- November 1-4: MLP – Dallas, TX
- November 4-10: PPA – Dallas, TX
- November 13-17: APP – Boca Raton, FL
- November 22-24: APP – Next Gen Dallas, Grapevine, TX
- November 14-17: PPA – Milwaukee, WI
- November 21-24: MLP – Orlando, FL
- December 11-15: APP – Fort Lauderdale, FL
- December 5-8: PPA – San Clemente, CA
Regional Pickleball Tournaments
In addition to the pickleball tournaments outlined above, there are also hundreds of large and small competition events across the United States and around the world. Many of these other tournaments are organized by local pickleball clubs and communities. It’s important to support these local tournaments because these grassroots efforts are how the sport of pickleball will continue to grow and evolve. For instance, some of these local pickleball tournaments are organized to raise money to invest in new pickleball courts or provide pickleball equipment to schools. Be on the lookout for local pickleball tournaments near you!
How to Sign Up for a Pickleball Tournament
To learn more about local and regional pickleball tournaments, there are a handful of platforms, such as Pickleball Den, which share event information and online registration opportunities. In general, a quick online search for pickleball tournaments in your zip code or metro area will yield a collection of upcoming events you can consider for tournament play.
Pickleball Tournament Tips
Pickleball tournaments can be a fun way to test your skills on the court. However, playing competitive pickleball in a tournament is very different from playing recreational pickleball. There can be added pressure, lots of starts and stops throughout the day, and different pickleball rules to be concerned with. As a result, it is important to prepare yourself both physically and mentally if you decide to play in pickleball tournaments. Pickler is here to help with the pickleball newsletter, blogs, social media, e-books, and online video lessons to elevate your pickleball skills and strategy on the pickleball court!
