Event Format

To ensure that players get the most out of the event, we will be running a round robin format followed by a single elimination bracket. Each player will be guaranteed a minimum of 4 matches.

We want the tournament to be:

- Fair (we have structured the competition with age breaks [18+, 35+, 50+, 60+, 65+,70+, 75+, 80+] and skill levels [3.0-, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 & OPEN 5.0+])

- Fun (getting to play competitively with players who all want to be there for fun should equal fun!)

- Transparent (clear rules; accessibility to the results and league tables)

If there are an insufficient number of entries within a single age/skill category (min 5), then categories will be combined at the Tournament Director's discretion.

Please note that age is calculated as age at 31.12.2026. This means for example that if you are 34, 59, 64 at the time of the tournament but 35,60 or 65 at the end of the year, you can enter the 35+, 60+ 65+ event.

Please also note that you must be registered with DUPR. We will then undertake a review to see if anyone is entered in an event that is below their current DUPR rating. If this is the case, we will then review the player's DUPR reliability %, results from prior tournaments before making a judgement call as to whether to move them to another event.

Please be the sort of player that enters the same level for gender doubles and mixed doubles. There should be no such thing as playing down to the level of your mixed partner. They have to play up to your level.

Registration Fees

The NEC is a fantastic venue but is extremely expensive to hire as is the cost for fitting it with 60 pickleball courts. In addition to the 6 days of the event, we have to pay for set up and breakdown days. Costs for everything has increased. Additionally, we will be paying for Referees, paddle testing, security, First Aid, etc All of this means we need to increase our Registration Fee to £55 and our event fee to £40 per event. To encourage growth of the Junior, Wheelchair and Para pickleball events, the event fee will again be free (just the registration fee to pay). Event T-shirts can be bought for £20.

*Please note that the OPEN events for players at the highest level have been set to £80 to reflect the fact that these events will have prize money and more games. The Senior OPEN event fee will be £60 as the prize money will be lower than the OPEN events and will be for Semi-Finalists only.

Prize Money. We will have a minimum prize pot of $50,000 split between OPEN and Masters Events - See Prize Money Tab for breakdown.

IMPORTANT:

We have changed registration systems. We are using the PbE PickleBook system, which means that PbE members only need to log in and provide any event specific information to register and then pay. For players that are not registered with PbE, you will need to verify your email address and complete the registration form which includes the mandatory requirement to have a DUPR account integrated. This will enable us to ensure that people are entered into the right event and we can process the results to DUPR.

Volunteering

The 2026 English OPEN, like all pickleballEngland events is a volunteer run tournament. A lot of things are planned out in advance however it is always incredibly useful to have lots of pairs of hands, and feet on the ground in the build up to the event. If you are willing and available at any point from Tuesday evening thru Sunday even for a couple of hours then please complete the form here. We sincerely appreciate our volunteers.

Tournament Venue & Food

The NEC is huge. It has plenty of capacity for players, seating and the planned 60+ pickleball courts. There will be plenty of food and drink options available. There are plenty of toilets. The one thing it doesn't have is specific changing rooms with showers. So you will need to go back to your hotel to freshen up before going out for the evening.

Tournament Directors

Chris & Karen Mitchell, Trevor Robinson