The Parks & Paddles Battle Tournament
The Parks & Paddles Battle: Houston’s Premier Community Pickleball Tournament
Join Us for an Unforgettable Day of Competition and Community
Get ready to rally! Greater Houston Pickleball is thrilled to announce The Parks & Paddles Battle, our very own pickleball tournament coming to Houston’s beautiful park facilities on May 9, 2026. In partnership with Houston Parks and Recreation, we’re bringing together players of all ages and skill levels for a day of exciting competition, community connection, and pure pickleball fun.
Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or stepping onto the tournament court for the first time, The Parks & Paddles Battle offers the perfect opportunity to test your skills, meet fellow enthusiasts, and celebrate the fastest-growing sport in America. With multiple divisions, guaranteed matches, and a welcoming atmosphere, this tournament embodies our mission of promoting pickleball and building community throughout Greater Houston.
📅 Event Overview
Tournament Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Rain Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Location: Charlton Park and/or Mason Park, Houston, TX
– Charlton Park: 8200 Park Pl Blvd, Houston, TX 77017
– Mason Park: 118 Glendale St, Houston, TX 77012
Start Time: 8am
Host: Greater Houston Pickleball in partnership with Houston Parks and Recreation
Format: Round Robin with Playoff Bracket
The Parks & Paddles Battle will take place at Houston’s public park facilities with courts available through our partnership with Houston Parks and Recreation. Specific court assignments and start times will be communicated to registered participants based on final registration numbers.
Exact start times will be determined based on registration and announced to all participants prior to the event.
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🏆 Divisions & Categories
We’ve designed The Parks & Paddles Battle to accommodate players across the spectrum of age, gender, and skill level. Choose the division(s) that best match your game:
Gender Divisions
– Men’s Doubles
– Women’s Doubles
– Mixed Doubles
Age Categories
– 49 and Younger
– 50 and Older
Skill Levels
– Beginner: Under 3.0 rating
– Intermediate: 3.0 to under 4.0 rating
– Advanced: 4.0+ rating
Multiple Division Entry
Want to maximize your tournament experience? Players are welcome and encouraged to register for multiple divisions! Compete in your age and skill bracket, then challenge yourself in mixed doubles or another category. Our scheduling team will work to accommodate multi-division players whenever possible.
Example combinations:
– Men’s 50+ Intermediate + Mixed 50+ Intermediate
– Women’s 49 & Under Advanced + Mixed 49 & Under Advanced
– Any combination that fits your profile!
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🎾 Tournament Format
Round Robin with Playoff Structure
The Parks & Paddles Battle uses a player-friendly format designed to maximize court time and competitive play:
Round Robin Pool Play:
– All teams are placed into pools for initial round robin play
– Guaranteed minimum of three (3) matches for every team
– Pool play determines seeding for playoff brackets
Playoff Brackets:
– Top teams from each pool advance to championship brackets
– Single-elimination format to determine division winners
– Competitive play continues until champions are crowned in each division
Schedule Details:
Your specific match schedule will depend on total registrations in your division. We’ll release detailed schedules to all registered participants approximately one week before the tournament. This allows us to:
– Balance court assignments across venues
– Minimize wait times between matches
– Accommodate players registered in multiple divisions
– Ensure smooth tournament flow
All matches will be played under USA Pickleball rules and regulations.
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💰 Registration & Fees
Entry Fee Structure
– First Division: $50
– Each Additional Division: $10
Special GHP Member Discount ⭐
Greater Houston Pickleball members receive 20% off their total registration!
Examples:
– Non-member, 1 division: $50
– GHP member, 1 division: $40 (save $10!)
– Non-member, 2 divisions: $60 ($50 + $10)
– GHP member, 2 divisions: $48 (save $12!)
How to Register
Registration opens April 24, 2026! Complete the registration form below to secure your spot. Spaces are limited and divisions will fill quickly, so don’t wait!
Not a GHP member yet? Join today to secure your discount and support our mission of growing pickleball throughout Houston. Membership benefits include tournament discounts, exclusive events, community connections, and more.
Learn more about Greater Houston Pickleball
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🥇 Awards & Recognition
Medals for Top Teams
We’ll be recognizing excellence across all divisions:
– Gold Medals: First place teams in each division
– Silver Medals: Second place teams in each division
– Bronze Medals: Third place teams in each division
Beyond the hardware, you’ll earn bragging rights, tournament experience, and the satisfaction of competing alongside Houston’s vibrant pickleball community. Every participant will leave with memories, new connections, and a deeper love for the game.
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🎒 What to Bring & Expect
What to Bring:
– ✅ Paddles: Bring your favorite paddle (and maybe a backup!)
– ✅ Appropriate athletic footwear: Court shoes recommended
– ✅ Water bottle: Stay hydrated throughout the day
– ✅ Sunscreen & hat: Outdoor courts mean sun exposure
– ✅ Towel: Texas in May can be warm!
– ✅ Snacks: Keep your energy up between matches
– ✅ Positive attitude: Sportsmanship and community spirit required!
What We’ll Provide:
– Tournament-grade pickleballs for all matches
– Organized brackets and scoring
– Awards ceremony
– A welcoming, competitive atmosphere
Facility Information:
Both Charlton Park and Mason Park offer excellent pickleball facilities with:
– Multiple pickleball courts
– Parking available on-site
– Restroom facilities
– Shaded areas for rest between matches
Specific court assignments will be communicated based on your division and the tournament schedule.
What to Expect on Tournament Day:
– Check-in: Arrive early to check in and receive your schedule
– Warm-up time: Courts will be available for warm-up before your first match
– Multiple matches: Plan to be at the venue for several hours
– Community atmosphere: Meet players from across Houston
– Fun and competition: The perfect balance of both!
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🤝 A Community Partnership
Houston Parks and Recreation
The Parks & Paddles Battle represents the best of community collaboration. We’re proud to partner with Houston Parks and Recreation to bring this tournament to life. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to:
– Promoting healthy, active lifestyles
– Making sports accessible to all Houstonians
– Utilizing and showcasing our excellent public park facilities
– Building stronger communities through recreation
– Growing pickleball across the Greater Houston area
By hosting The Parks & Paddles Battle at Houston Parks and Recreation facilities, we’re demonstrating the incredible resources available to our community and encouraging more residents to discover the joy of pickleball.
Thank you to Houston Parks and Recreation for their support in making this tournament possible!
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🚀 Ready to Battle?
The Parks & Paddles Battle is more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of pickleball, community, and the incredible growth of our sport in Houston. Whether you’re chasing medals or simply want to enjoy competitive play with fellow enthusiasts, we can’t wait to see you on the courts.
Next Steps:
1. Mark your calendar: May 9, 2026 (Rain date: May 16, 2026)
2. Join GHP or renew your membership to save 20% on registration
3. Watch for registration announcement via email and social media
4. Gather your doubles partner and decide which divisions to enter
5. Complete the registration form below to register—spots are limited!
Stay Connected:
– Follow us on social media for registration announcements and tournament updates
– Join our email list to be first to know when registration opens
– Share this event with your pickleball friends and partners
– Use #ParksAndPaddlesBattle to build excitement
Register Here
See You on the Courts!
The Parks & Paddles Battle is coming, and we couldn’t be more excited. This tournament represents everything we love about pickleball: competition, community, inclusivity, and fun. Whether you’re a beginner taking your first step into tournament play or an advanced player seeking your next challenge, there’s a place for you at The Parks & Paddles Battle.
Let’s make May 9, 2026, a day to remember. Let’s celebrate our sport, our community, and our shared passion for pickleball.
The battle is on. Are you ready?
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Greater Houston Pickleball is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting pickleball and building community throughout the Greater Houston area. Through tournaments, clinics, and events, we’re making pickleball accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages and skill levels.