Air Slam - 2026

📅 25th – 27th September | 📍 Air Sports Club | 🏆 Over 2 Million Prize Pool

A three-day open pickleball championship bringing together players of every level — from first-time competitors to seasoned advanced athletes — across singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Tournament Format

The tournament will be conducted using a combination of Group Stage and Knockout Stage formats, depending on the number of entries received for each event. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to modify the competition format, number of groups, or qualification criteria where necessary to ensure the smooth operation of the tournament.

Categories

Under 14 (U14)

• Boys Singles
• Girls Singles

Men's

• Beginner Singles / Beginner Doubles
• Intermediate Singles / Intermediate Doubles
• Advanced Singles / Advanced Doubles
• Over 45 Doubles

Women's

• Beginner Singles / Beginner Doubles
• Open Singles / Open Doubles
• Over 45 Doubles

Mixed

• Beginner Doubles
• Open Doubles
• Over 45 Doubles

Event Entry Limits

A player may compete in a maximum of three (3) events:

• 1 Singles
• 1 Doubles
• 1 Mixed Doubles

Event Eligibility

For all events, a player may play up a division, but may not play down a division or outside their age category.

Match Format

Scoring System

All matches shall use Side-Out Scoring. Points may only be scored by the serving side.

Group Stage

• One game to 11 points
• Win by 1 point
• No two-point advantage required

Knockout Stage

• Round of 32 / Round of 16 / Quarter-Finals — One game to 15, win by 2
• Semi-Finals — Best of 3 games, each game to 11, win by 2
• Finals — Best of 3 games, each game to 11, win by 2. The first team to win two games shall be declared the champion.

Group Stage Ranking

Players/teams shall be ranked using the following criteria, in order:

• Number of Matches Won — the player/team with the highest number of wins shall rank higher.
• Point Percentage — applied if players/teams are tied on matches won. The highest percentage shall receive the higher seed.

Knockout Stage

Following completion of the group stage, qualified players/teams advance to the elimination rounds. Seeding into the knockout bracket shall be determined by the Group Stage Ranking criteria. All knockout matches are single elimination.

Third Place Playoff

Every category shall include a Third Place Match. The losing semi-finalists will compete to determine third place.

Player Responsibility

Players are responsible for:

• Registering in the correct events
• Providing an accurate DUPR ID
• Reporting to the assigned court on time
• Checking match schedules and court assignments Players who fail to appear within the designated time may forfeit the match.

Serving

• Side-Out Scoring shall be used throughout the tournament.
• Serves must comply with current USA Pickleball serving rules.
• Players are responsible for announcing the correct score before each serve.

Line Calls

• Players are responsible for making line calls on their side of the court.
• All calls must be made promptly.
• If uncertain, the ball shall be considered in.
• Players are expected to demonstrate honesty and sportsmanship at all times.
• The Tournament Committee may appoint referees for selected matches.

Timeouts

Unless otherwise announced:

• One (1) timeout per team/player per game
• Timeout duration: 1 minute
• Medical timeouts are subject to Tournament Committee approval.

Injury

If a player is unable to continue due to injury, the match shall be recorded as a retirement. The Tournament Committee reserves the right to determine whether a player is fit to continue participating in the tournament.

Forfeits

A player/team may lose a match by forfeit if they:

• Fail to report on time
• Are not ready to play when called
• Violate tournament eligibility rules
• Display unsportsmanlike conduct warranting removal

Conduct

Players are expected to display good sportsmanship at all times. The following may result in warnings, point penalties, match forfeiture, or disqualification:

• Offensive or abusive language
• Verbal abuse toward opponents, officials, volunteers, or spectators
• Deliberate damage to tournament facilities or equipment
• Unsportsmanlike behaviour
• Intentionally delaying play
• Dangerous conduct Tournament officials reserve the right to remove any player whose conduct negatively affects the event.

Equipment

• Approved Pickleball paddles must be used.
• Players are responsible for ensuring their equipment complies with tournament regulations.
• The Tournament Committee will provide the official match balls.

Schedule

• Match times are approximate.
• The Tournament Committee may adjust match schedules, court assignments, or event formats due to weather, unforeseen delays, or operational requirements.
• Players should remain available throughout the tournament day.

Protests

• Any protest relating to tournament administration or player eligibility must be submitted immediately to the Tournament Director before the next round begins.
• Judgement calls made during play are final and cannot be protested.

Tournament Committee

The Tournament Committee reserves the right to:

• Interpret these rules
• Resolve matters not specifically covered in this rulebook
• Modify formats when necessary
• Combine, divide, or cancel events based on registration numbers
• Make all final decisions regarding tournament operations

All decisions made by the Tournament Committee shall be final.

All entry fees are strictly non-refundable.

By completing registration, players acknowledge and accept the following:

1. No refunds. Once a registration is confirmed and payment is received, the entry fee is non-refundable under any circumstance — including, but not limited to, withdrawal, injury, illness, travel disruption, work or personal commitments, or failure to appear on the day of play.
2. No transfers or credits. Entry fees cannot be transferred to another player, moved to another category, or carried forward as credit toward a future event.
3. Withdrawals. A player who withdraws after registration will not receive a refund, whether the withdrawal occurs before or after the draw is published. Players are encouraged to withdraw as early as possible so the Committee can adjust the draw.
4. Partner withdrawal. If a doubles or mixed doubles partner withdraws, the remaining player is responsible for finding a replacement partner of eligible category. No refund will be issued if a replacement cannot be found.
5. Forfeits and disqualification. No refund will be issued to any player who forfeits a match, is disqualified, or is removed from the tournament for a breach of the rules or code of conduct.
6. Format changes. The Tournament Committee may combine, divide, or restructure events based on registration numbers. Such changes do not entitle a player to a refund. Where a player's registered event is cancelled outright by the Committee and no suitable alternative category is available, the entry fee for that specific event will be refunded.
7. Weather and interruptions. Delays, suspensions, or schedule changes caused by weather or other conditions beyond the Committee's control do not qualify for a refund.
8. Full event cancellation. In the unlikely event that the entire tournament is cancelled by the organisers, refund arrangements will be communicated directly to all registered players.

Registration is only confirmed once payment has been received in full. Submitting a registration form does not by itself secure a slot.

🏆 Over 2,000,000 in Total Prize Money

📅 25th – 27th September | 📍 Air Sports Club

A prize pool of more than 2 million will be distributed across the tournament's categories, making this one of the richest Pickleball events on the calendar.

How the prize pool works

• The total prize pool exceeds 2,000,000, shared across the competing divisions.
• The prize breakdown for each category will be published by the Tournament Committee prior to the start of play.
• Final allocation per category is subject to the number of confirmed entries received. The Committee reserves the right to combine, divide, or adjust category prize allocations where entry numbers require it.
• Prize money is awarded to Champions, Runners-Up and Third Place finishers in each qualifying category.
• In doubles and mixed doubles events, prize money is awarded to the team and shared equally between partners unless otherwise stated.

Medals

Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded in every event. Every category includes a Third Place Match, contested by the two losing semi-finalists, to determine the Bronze medal.

Claiming your prize

• Prize money will be distributed at the official prize presentation on the final day of the tournament.
• Winners must be present at the presentation, or nominate a representative in advance, to collect their prize.
• Any applicable taxes or statutory deductions are the responsibility of the recipient.
• Players who are disqualified or removed from the tournament for a breach of the rules or code of conduct forfeit any claim to prize money.

All decisions of the Tournament Committee regarding prize allocation shall be final.