Pickleball
Grab your paddle and put away your opponent in our Pickleball event during the 2026 Summer Games! Be sure to register quick as this event is very popular and sells out fast! Check out the information below for more on the Pickleball event and we look forward to seeing you there!
Bracket Design
A Round Robin format will be used for all divisions.
This is a USA Pickleball sanctioned event. All entrants must have, at minimum, a current Challenger Membership (purchased for $12 at the link below) to compete in this year's tournament. This is an annual membership that will qualify you to participate in other sanctioned tournaments, including the Beer City Open, in 2026.
Mens and Womens (singles & doubles)
Mixed Doubles
Skill Levels - 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, & 5.0+
Age Groups - 19+, 35, 50, 60, 70+
*Tournament Directors reserve the right to add or combine age groups depending on the number of registrations. However, in no case will skill levels be combined. At least 4 entrants are needed to form a division.
Please be available to play 1/2 hour before your start time - in case courts open up.
Playing in this tournament will earn players USA Pickleball (USAP) sanctioned points that track player performance in official tournaments to determine eligibility for the National Championships, provide priority registration for special events, and recognize achievements for Champion/Challenger members. These points offer an alternative to the "Golden Ticket" to qualify for Nationals.
Schedule
Friday, June 5th - Men's & Women's Singles; Men's & Women's Doubles (60+)
Saturday, June 6th - Men's & Women's Doubles (59 and below)
Sunday, June 7th - Mixed Doubles
Cost
Registration opens April 1, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Registration - $55 ($45 for GRPC Members until April 19th)
Each event - $20 ($45 for Moneyball Divisions)
5 guaranteed games minimum in each division, though last minute player drops cannot be accounted for. At least 4 teams are required to form a division.
Medal and pre-medal matches will be refereed for divisions with playoff brackets
You are not considered to be fully registered unless you have a partner and are paid in full. Players needing a partner will be waitlisted after one day and will NOT reserve a spot.
Pickleball Shirt: T-shirts may be purchased for an additional $10 at checkout. Shirts will NOT be available for purchase during the event.
Rules/Format
The format will be according to division size listed below. Disregard format information displayed on the "Events" page, as it will not be kept up to date with division size:
4 Teams: RR Best 2/3 to 15
5-6 Teams: RR Best 2/3 to 11
7-8 Teams: RR 1 to 15
9-10 Teams: RR 1 to 11
11+ Teams: Split into two pools, RR following pool size format above, Top two teams from each pool advances to a single elimination playoff bracket
The Tournament Directors reserve the right to add or combine age groups and/or skill levels depending on the number of registrations. Every effort will be made to avoid combining skill levels. Match format is also subject to change.
Exclusively the USAP rules and approved paddle list will be used.
Scores will be uploaded to DUPR following the tournament.
Ball - Vulcan VPRO Flight.
See USAPA.ORG for tournament rules. For more information, visit the event page here.
To Join or Renew USAPA Membership
This is an outdoor event with no indoor backup.
Players may enter a maximum of one doubles, one mixed doubles, and one singles play bracket only.
STATE GAMES OF MICHIGAN WAIVER
All pre-registered players MUST go through the Meijer State Games of Michigan portal for waivers. Please note that going through this link does NOT register you or your team for this event.
To access the waiver, please click here.
Hotels
Athletes receive a discounted rate on hotels! Click below to view more information and to book now.
Awards
Meijer State Games of Michigan medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each division.
In the Moneyball Divisions, the prize pool is based on attendance. Each TEAM entered will increase the prize pool by $50.
Gold, Silver, and Bronze medalists will receive 50%, 30%, and 20% of the prize money from their division respectively to divide between teammates.
Questions
Registration Questions: Contact Paul Richards at 616-706-4589 or prpickleball@gmail.com
Tournament Questions: Contact Bob Trout at 616-240-1413 or bob@grpickleball.com
Tournament Director: Caleb Dang at caleb57@icloud.com
Pickleball Tournament Sponsors
Click each title for more information.
OPENING CEREMONY
Join us as we kick off the 2026 Summer Games at the Meijer Sports Complex on Friday, June 26th with our Opening Ceremony celebration.
All athletes are welcome to attend and join the athlete parade.
HOTEL INFORMATION
Meijer State Games of Michigan athletes receive a discounted hotel rate for the 2026 Summer Games. Click the button below to book your room today!
EXPERIENCE GRAND RAPIDS
Be sure to check out the abundance of activities and attractions that Grand Rapids has to offer when you are not competing! Click here for more information and ideas.
STATE GAMES OF AMERICA
This event is a qualifying event for the 2026 State Games of America. Any athletes who place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd has the opportunity to compete in the 2026 State Games of America hosted in Happy Valley, PA.
Visit the State Games of America website for more information and to get registered for #SGA2026.