If you’ve been playing pickleball for some time now — perhaps casually with friends, in open play, or in mixers — the natural next step for you in skill development or challenge may be to begin competing in pickleball tournaments.
And you don’t need to be at an advanced or elite level to do so; there are tournaments for various DUPR ratings offered across 100-plus Life Time athletic country club destinations. “Life Time currently operates 850 pickleball courts nationwide and we are planning to add at least 140 more by the end of 2026 and beyond,” says Aleks Westlund, avid pickleball player and member of the corporate pickleball team at Life Time. “We encourage every club that has courts to host pickleball tournaments.”
To learn more about how to start competing and the advantages of getting involved in pickleball tournaments at Life Time, we asked Westlund along with Sabrina Palavra, pickleball leader at Life Time North Shore in Northbrook, Ill., and Andy Peeke, lead pickleball pro for Life Time in New York City, to provide some helpful insight.
Life Time | What are the types or formats of pickleball tournaments offered at Life Time?
Sabrina Palavra | Life Time offers a variety of tournament formats, including singles, mixed doubles, women’s doubles, and men’s doubles. Some tournaments even include age-group formats, such as 35-plus, 50-plus, 60-plus, and 70-plus. We also offer tournaments for every skill level. Players typically begin competing at the 3.0 level, with tournament options for levels ranging from 3.0 to 5.0+. This ensures everyone is able to find a tournament that suits their desired format and level.
Andy Peeke | Life Time also offers other fun formats like “minor league pickleball,” “king and queen of the court,” and “three-on-three,” along with various brackets and themed tournaments.
Tournaments can range from single-day events to multi-day competitions. Players can expect to play between two to four hours, depending on the tournament. We offer various tournaments throughout the entire year.
LT | Do you need a certain DUPR rating to sign up for a pickleball tournament?
AP | Players of all DUPR ratings can generally find a tournament at Life Time they can participate in. It’s ideal to compete against players in the same DUPR range as you, so you ensure you’ll be playing with those at a similar skill level.
Aleks Westlund | The DUPR ratings for the tournament will be listed in the tournament description; you can also view this under the “events” listed on the registration site. If I’m a 4.5, for example, and I’m looking for a 4.0-to-4.5 division, I would be able to select that event and register myself and my pickleball partner.
If I sign up for a 4.0-to-4.5 tournament, this means I won’t have to worry about competing against a 6.0-level player, because they wouldn’t be admitted into that division. When the divisions are gated to specific DUPR ranges, it takes the guesswork out of what levels players will be playing at on tournament day and ensures their competition is appropriate for them.
LT | What can someone expect when signing up for their first pickleball tournament?
AP | Players can expect the best that their opponents have to offer. Tournaments are a real test of a pickleball player’s true skill level and competitive greatness.
AW | On the day itself, you’ll rarely play just once; most tournament formats guarantee you at least three or four matches in pool play or round-robin play before the bracket even starts. Bracket play then takes you to the playoffs, and then the medal rounds follow.
I would advise players to start slow at the beginning of their day and pace their energy as they keep playing. You’ll typically face a handful of different opponents, and the games come quickly — which is part of what makes a tournament day a fun grind.
There will be spectators, which may include friends, family, and fellow competitors waiting for their next match. The crowd tends to gather more as the matchups get closer in score. The energy only builds the deeper you get into the bracket play, and by the medal rounds, it can feel like the whole room is watching you.
LT | What are the benefits of playing in pickleball tournaments?
SP | Tournaments are often a more intense and challenging experience for players as they are playing for results as opposed to just playing for fun. This atmosphere is very rewarding, and players leave with a learning experience that you can’t find anywhere else.
Competing against players you’ve never faced before can challenge you to figure out strategies and patterns in the moment. Tournaments also often help players figure out their strengths and weaknesses, which helps showcase what they need to improve upon.
AP | Tournaments are a great testing ground for any player to find out what their real pickleball skills are. It’s a way to play against friends and new opponents in a fun and competitive environment.
AW | Playing recreationally helps you build confidence and work on your skills, but playing in tournaments puts those reps to the test in a win-or-go-home format. When you’re playing for first place, there’s a heightened focus and pressure around playing your best and not letting your partner down.
It becomes a true test of the mind, and it forces you to remain composed and not to get discouraged by the little things. The trick is to lean on routine, take a breath between points, reset your feet, and play the one shot in front of you. “Next shot” mentality must be at the forefront of your mind — and the reward is unlike any other!
LT | Do you see a lot of the same players compete in tournaments? Is a community created in this environment?
SP | I often see players compete in multiple tournaments. There is a strong community of competitive players that love to challenge themselves and consistently meet new players they wouldn’t encounter outside of tournaments. It’s always fun to watch players find their ideal tournament partner who they enjoy competing with that really complements their game style.
AP | In New York City, where I’m based, we often see many of the same players participate in our tournaments. While, at the same time, at almost every tournament we have new people that we have not seen or met before. It is a very large and growing community!
LT | What is the difference between playing in a pickleball tournament at Life Time versus somewhere else?
AW | At Life Time, you’re not just signing up for a one-off tournament, you’re plugging into a full ecosystem built to get you ready to compete. Between open play, leagues, clinics, and pickleball pros who are on the courts every day, the programming gives you a natural runway to build your game long before you step onto a tournament court.
You can sharpen a specific skill in a clinic, pressure-test it in league play, and then bring it all together in a tournament — often all at your same home club, with the same members you know well cheering you on.
The facilities and level of competition are also a step above what you’ll find at most places. Everything feels dialed in from the moment you walk into the club to the medal match. The combination of top-tier courts, expert coaching, and built-in community is what really sets a Life Time tournament apart.
LT | What advice would you have for someone who is considering competing in their first pickleball tournament?
SP | Go into this new experience with an open mind and let yourself have fun without putting too many expectations on yourself. You’re doing the best with what you know, so find a partner you enjoy playing with and try your best.
Tournaments are meant to be a learning experience, and at the end of the day, let the emphasis be on learning — not the outcome.
LT | I’m ready to compete! How would I sign up for a pickleball tournament at Life Time?
SP | To find a Life Time pickleball tournament near you, connect with the concierge team, lead general, or pickleball pro at your local Life Time.
Life Time pickleball tournaments are also posted on pickleballtournaments.com. Each player is required to have a “pickleballtournaments.com” account, as well as a DUPR account and rating.
Once these accounts are connected, then the player may register for any Life Time tournament that fits their schedule and skill level. Players can also reach out to the team at their club to learn more.
