What to pack for a pickleball tournament
By the pickletourney team. Updated Sunday, October 4, 2026. Rules and numbers below come from the sources listed at the end; the rest is general advice.
You probably know to bring water. A few items on this list have actual rules behind them, though, so those come first.
Items with rules
Your paddle. At a sanctioned event it has to be on the USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List. Look yours up before the day, not at the check-in desk. Approved paddles show the brand, the model name or number, and the "USA Pickleball Approved" seal or wording. Older paddles made before the seal rule may not have the seal, but they still need to be on the list.
Being on the list isn't the whole story. A paddle with holes, cracks or delamination that break the surface doesn't pass, even if its model is approved. You can add edge guard tape, weighted tape, a grip wrap or name decals, but no aftermarket graphics on a store-bought paddle. Tape and decals on the face can't sit more than 1 inch above the top of the grip or more than half an inch in from the outer edge.
Timing matters if a paddle doesn't pass. Caught before your match, you just switch paddles and there's no penalty. Caught during the match, you lose the match. Found out after the match is over, the result stands. That's a good reason to pack a second approved paddle.
Court shoes. The soles can't mark or damage the court.
Clothes that don't match the ball. The director can make you change clothes that are close to the ball's color, or that have graphics or writing in poor taste. If you refuse, you can lose the match.
No earbuds. Headphones, earbuds and anything else that lets you hear audio messages aren't allowed while you play. Prescribed or required hearing aids are fine.
The ball is chosen for you, too. The director picks the tournament ball from USA Pickleball's approved ball list.
Starting servers have to wear whatever ID the director chooses for them. Refusing can cost you the match.
Worth bringing
Eye protection. No rule says you have to wear it. Still, USA Pickleball's CEO, announcing an eyewear sponsor in 2025, called protective eyewear "an essential piece of equipment."
The everyday stuff
- A water bottle
- Snacks or lunch, since a tournament day can run long
- Sunscreen and a hat if the courts are outside
- A towel
- Spare socks and a dry shirt
- A small folding chair, because seating can be limited
- Your phone, charged, so you can keep an eye on the schedule