Tournament command center

Make every match count.

PicklePal Lite keeps registration, live scoring, pool play, and championship brackets in one calm, confident place.

Live poolsFollow teams, matches, and standings.
Protected scoringPIN-scoped entries and dispute review.
Final bracketsTrack every round through the championship.

Starting a new tournament?

Create an event first. You will choose its shared nickname and private manager PIN during setup.

Join existing event

One-Word Tournament Code

Enter the code, then choose how you want to access the event.

A separate casual-play workspace for your group. No tournament code required.

Manager access

Enter the private four-digit manager PIN for this tournament.

Date
Location
Organizer
Manager(s)

Tournament Overview

Tournament Format: Pool Play Round Robin Style, with top teams advancing to the elimination bracket.

Match Rules: Games to 11, Win by 2. In tournament play, teams switch sides of the court after a team reaches 6 points to keep it fair due to elements like wind and sun.

Official Pickleball Rules (2026)

  • Scoring: Only the serving side scores. Games are played to 11 points and must be won by 2.
  • Two-Bounce Rule: The serve must bounce before the receiver returns it, and the return must bounce before the serving side plays it.
  • Serve: The serve is made diagonally, clears the non-volley zone, and must be made underhand with the contact below the waist.
  • Non-Volley Zone: A player may not volley while touching the non-volley zone or its line, including when momentum carries the player into it.
  • Line Calls: Players call the lines on their side of the court. When uncertain, the call is made in favor of the opponent.
Read the complete 2026 USA Pickleball Official Rulebook

Options & Guidelines for 80-Team (160-Player) Tournaments

For a 80-team (160-player) pickleball tournament, the best approach is to divide the field into 14 to 16 pools of 5-6 teams each, with 2-3 top teams from each pool advancing to a single-elimination bracket. This structure optimizes court usage and guarantees at least 4-5 matches, providing a high-quality experience for participants.

Recommended Structure (80 Teams)
  • Pool Setup: 16 pools of 5 teams (allows for efficient 4-5 matches per team) or 12 pools of 6–7 teams.
  • Advancement: Take the top 2-3 teams from each pool to form a 16 or 32-team single-elimination bracket (depending on court availability and time).
  • Game Format: Single games to 15 (win by 1 or 2) are ideal for large round-robins.
Key Considerations
  • Time Management: Pool play with 80 teams takes time. Ensure you have enough courts—aim for at least 16-20 courts to avoid long waits.
  • Tie-Breakers: With many pools, use point differential or head-to-head results to determine tie-breakers for bracket seeding.
  • "Best of" Scenario: To maximize "bang for your buck," allow 4 teams to advance from each pool to a larger bracket if you have time, or a shorter, higher-stakes bracket if time is tight.