Gilbert PPA Challenger
About This Tournament
Amateur players can compete alongside Championship Court, where rising professional pickleball players battle for cash prizes and ranking points. Players can also review event details, the code of conduct, referee opportunities, volunteer sign-ups, and participation policies…. Read More
January 22, 2027 – January 24, 2027
Registration Open: October 13, 2026 – January 15, 2027
Tournament Venue Details:
Tournament Venue Amenities:
- Parking Information
- Parking fee: No fee
- Parking Fees may apply. TBD.
- Amenities:
- Surface type:
- Pickleball Hardcourt Surface
- Number of courts:
- 14
- Play area type:
- Indoor & Outdoor
- Ball used:
- LT Pro 48 Performance Pickleball
- Net type:
- Portable
Tournament Details
AMATEUR PLAYERS
Amateur matches will be played alongside Championship Court where the best up and coming professionals in the world compete for cash prizes and ranking points in the sport of pickleball.
Click on the Events Link above for a full description of each event.
PLAYER’S CODE OF CONDUCT
Please review our Player’s Code of Conduct HERE.
REFEREES
Sign up HERE to referee pros, open and amateur players.
VOLUNTEERS
Sign up HERE to volunteer for this amazing event.
TRANSGENDER PARTICIPATION & COMPETITION POLICY
Please review our policy HERE.
Additional Information
FORMAT
Amateur Format for Skill/Age Events
Skill Levels 5.0 & 4.5 will play Double Elimination with No Come-Around (i.e. if a team loses a match, the best they can do from there is win Bronze and cannot come around for a chance to win Gold).
Match Format:
Main Draw: 2/3 games to 11, win by 2
Consolation: 1 game to 15, win by 2
Bronze Medal Match: 2/3 games to 11, win by 2
Gold Medal Match: 2/3 games to 11, win by 2
If there are less than 6 teams (or less than 6 players for singles), the format will change to a Round Robin with no playoffs. Match format will depend on the number of registered players/teams in each division.
*Events to be combined if there are less than 4 teams in Doubles or less than 4 players in Singles. Tournament organizers possess the right to combine events based on either skill or age to provide the best overall playing experience, given the circumstances.
Skill Levels 4.0, 3.5 & 3.0 with 12 teams (12 players for singles) or less will play the following format:
Round Robin with or without Playoffs (Details below):
4 teams: Single Round Robin with Playoffs for top three teams.
5 teams: Single Round Robin with Playoffs for top three teams.
6 teams: Single Round Robin with NO Playoffs.
7 teams: Single Round Robin with NO Playoffs.
8 teams: 2 pools of 4. Single Round Robin with Playoffs for top two teams from each pool.
9 teams: 1 pool of 4, 1 pool of 5. Single Round Robin with Playoffs for top two teams from each pool.
10 teams: 2 pools of 5. Single Round Robin with Playoffs for top two teams from each pool.
11 teams: 1 pool of 5, 1 pool of 6. Single Round Robin with Playoffs for top two teams from each pool.
12 teams: 2 pools of 6. Single Round Robin with Playoffs for top two teams from each pool.
13+ teams: Double Elimination with No Come-Around
Pool Play Format: 1 game to 15, win by 2
Playoffs: 1 game to 15, win by 2
Bronze Medal Match: 1 game to 15, win by 2
Gold Medal Match: 2/3 games to 11, win by 2
*Events to be combined if there are less than 4 teams in Doubles or less than 4 players in Singles. Tournament organizers possess the right to combine events based on either skill or age to provide the best overall playing experience, given the circumstances.
*Brackets/Pools seeded by DUPR Rating.
The event has the right to shorten match formats if weather poses scheduling delays.
Please note that if you are playing in a doubles event and your partner does not register within 7 days of when you register, you will automatically be moved to the waitlist. Your spot in the main event will NOT be saved. If (after you are both registered and paid for the event) there is room in the main event, you will be moved back to the main event. If the event has filled up in the meantime, you will remain on the waitlist until a spot opens up.
*If you register for Doubles without a partner, the tournament is not responsible for pairing you with a partner. If you do not find a partner before registration closes, you will not move off the waitlist.
Pro Format
Main Draw Format:
Double Elimination with No Come-Around (i.e. if a team loses a match, the best they can do from there is win Bronze and cannot come around for a chance to win Gold).
Main Draw: 2/3 games to 11, win by 2
Consolation: 1 game to 15, win by 2
Bronze Medal Match: 2/3 games to 11, win by 2
Gold Medal Match: 2/3 games to 11, win by 2
* Official Ball: LT Pro 48
UPA-A Paddle Regulations for PPA Challenger Tour (PRO EVENTS ONLY)
All paddles used in the PPA Challenger Series must have full UPA-A Certification.
This requires the “UPA Pro Certified” or “UPA-A Pro Certified” stamp and the paddle model and model number must be active on the UPA-A Approved Paddle List.
Blackout paddles are NOT necessary on the PPA Challenger Tour, players may play with full graphics on any UPA-A Certified paddle.
PAYMENT/PARTNER POLICY
Players must be paid and have a registered and paid partner to be confirmed. Players not paid and without registered and paid partners will be moved to a wait list if the division in which a spot is being held is filled with fully registered and paid teams.
PARTNER REPLACEMENT POLICY
After registration is closed, any registered player losing a partner must replace that partner with an already registered player. The replacement partner must be in the same skill/age group that you are scheduled to play. Players can play down in age and up in skill. Replacements need to be known and communicated to the registration contact by 6pm the day before you are scheduled to play. Replacements can be found on the players needing partners list.
Refund Policy
December 25, 2026 – CANCELLATION DEADLINE (for refunds minus a $25 withdrawal fee)
No refunds for any reason after the CANCELLATION DEADLINE ABOVE unless the Registration & Weather Insurance Policy has been purchased prior to the CANCELLATION DEADLINE ABOVE. December 25, 2026 is the last day to purchase the Registration & Weather Insurance.
REGISTRATION & WEATHER INSURANCE POLICY:
If you withdraw before the CANCELLATION DEADLINE ABOVE, you will be issued a full refund (with a $25 processing fee deducted) without the need to purchase Registration Insurance.
During registration you may choose to purchase the Registration and Weather Insurance Policy in the event you have to cancel out of the event after the CANCELLATION DEADLINE ABOVE. See the policy for specific coverage details. The insurance will also cover your event fee in case your event
Prize Money
Prize money details available upon request at finance@ppatour.com.
$10,000 cash prize distributed evenly among 5 pro event disciplines. First, second, and third place finishers in each event will receive payouts following the tournament.