Philippine Pickleball Federation Nationals

Tela Park Pickleball Center, Las Pinas, NCR, Philippines
March 28 - 30

Player Requirement
All players must have a PPPR ID linked to DUPR.
​Register: https://registry.pickleball.ph
Age Determination
Age groupings:
19+ (34 and under)
35+ (49 and under)
50+ (59 and under)
60+ (60 and up)

A player's age for the entire tournament year is determined by his/her age on 31 December 2026. 
Registration & Withdrawal Policy
Registration Deadline: 20 March 2026

Refund Policy:
• 50% refund until March 8, 2026
• No refunds after March 8, 2026

Emergency Exception (80% refund allowed only for):
• Verified medical condition
• Family emergency
• Acts of God / force majeure

Substitutions of similar-skilled players are encouraged and must be approved. If the tournament is rescheduled, players with conflicts may request an 80% refund. No administrative cancellations outside these conditions. 
Competition Format
Round Robin → Semifinals → Medal Matches

Rally Scoring will be used:
  • Points scored every rally
  • All games win by 2
  • ​No requirement to be serving to win 
Match Formats
Round Robin: Game to 21, win by 2
Semifinals: Game to 21, win by 2
Standard Medal Matches: Game to 21, win by 2

EPIC-Qualifying Divisions:
• Best of 3 Games
​• Games to 15, win by 2
Daily Schedule
Saturday (Mar 28): Charity Team Event (AM),  Men's Doubles, & Mixed Doubles
Sunday (Mar 29): Men's & Women's Doubles
Monday (Mar 30): Singles Events 
Rally Scoring Format
  • All matches in this tournament will use Rally Scoring.
  • A point is awarded on every rally, regardless of which team is serving.
  • The team that wins the rally receives the point and serves the next rally.
  • In doubles matches, whenever a team wins a point, the players on that team must switch sides.
  • The serve always starts from the right-side player when a team begins its service turn.
  • Games are played to the designated game point (for example 21 or 15 depending on the event format) and must be won by two (2) points.
  • In officiated matches, players must wait for the referee to call the score before serving.
  • In unofficiated matches, the server must call the score clearly before each serve.
  • Players must maintain proper service order. Incorrect service order may result in correction of the server without penalty if discovered immediately.
Line Calls
  • In matches without line judges, players are responsible for making line calls on their side of the court.
  • A ball must be called OUT only if it is clearly seen as out. If there is any doubt, the ball must be considered IN.
  • Line calls must be made promptly and clearly before the return of the ball.
  • Spectators, coaches, or other players may not make line calls or influence decisions during a rally.
​
Opponent Opinion
  • If a team asks their opponents whether they saw the ball IN or OUT and the opponents providetheir opinion, that opinion becomes the ruling for the point.
  • Once the opinion is given, it cannot be withdrawn or changed.

Disputed Calls
  • The call made by the team on whose side the ball landed stands.
  • Opponents may request clarification but may not overrule the call.
  • If disagreement continues, the Tournament Director or Head Referee may make a final ruling.

Appeals
  • Players may appeal to the referee, head referee, or tournament director when available.
  • Officials may base decisions on personal observation, player explanations, and tournament rules.

Appeal Consequences
  • If the original call is upheld, the appealing team loses one timeout and receives a technical warning.
  • If no timeouts remain, a technical foul may be issued.

Overturned Calls
  • If the official determines the original call was incorrect, the official’s ruling stands and the rally result is awarded accordingly.
  • Points are not replayed unless the rally outcome cannot be determined.

Hindrance
  • A hindrance occurs when an outside factor disrupts a rally.
  • Examples include balls entering the court, spectator interference, or unexpected distractions.
  • A let may be called and the rally replayed if hindrance occurs.
Timeouts
  • 1 timeout per team/player per game (1 minute).
  • ​Coaching allowed only during timeouts.

Medical Timeouts
  • Each player or team is allowed one medical timeout per match.
  • The timeout may last up to 5 minutes.
  • If a player cannot continue after the timeout, the match will be recorded as a retirement.
​Score Confirmation
  • In officiated matches, players must wait for the referee to call the score before serving.
  • Players may not serve until the score has been clearly announced by the referee.
  • In unofficiated matches, the server must call the score clearly before each serve.
  • Both teams are responsible for confirming the score during the match.
  • If a discrepancy occurs, players should resolve the score based on the last mutually agreed score.

Ball on Court
  • If a ball from another court enters the playing area and interferes with play, players should call 'Ball on Court' immediately.
  • If interference occurs before the rally ends, the rally will be stopped and replayed as a let.
  • If the ball does not interfere with the rally, play should continue.
  • The referee or tournament official will determine whether interference occurred.
  • Players should stop play immediately for safety if a ball rolls onto the court near active play.
Equipment and Paddle Inspection
  • All paddles must be USA Pickleball (USAP) approved or UPA-A approved.
  • Tournament officials may inspect paddles before or during matches.
  • Non-compliant paddles must be replaced immediately or penalties may apply.
Match Start Protocol
  • Players must report to their assigned court immediately when their match is called.
  • Players have a 2-minute grace period before default may be declared.
  • Teams should confirm the score verbally throughout the match.
  • After the match, players must report the final score to tournament staff.
Player Responsibilities
  • Players must be present before match call
  • Matches may start early
  • Players are responsible for monitoring announcements and court assignments 

Player Readiness
  • Players must be ready to receive serve when the score has been called.
  • Deliberate delays or failure to be ready to play may result in a warning or fault.
  • The referee or tournament official may enforce readiness to maintain the flow of the match.

Warm-Up Policy
  • No on-court warm-ups are permitted prior to matches.
  • Players should warm up in designated practice areas and must be ready when called.

Retirement and Walkovers
  • If a player or team withdraws during a match, the opposing team is awarded the win.
  • The withdrawing team receives zero points for that match.
  • Walkovers are not recorded in DUPR.
Results & Rankings
All match results submitted to PPPR and DUPR.
Awards & EPIC Qualification
Medals awarded to all podium finishers.

This tournament is a qualifier for the EPIC World Amateur Championships.
​Winners of select divisions receive a Golden Ticket to represent the Philippines in the EPIC Team Competition (April 30 – May 3, 2026). 
Tournament Director Authority
The Tournament Director may:
  • Merge divisions if needed
  • Adjust format based on entries
  • ​Make rulings necessary to ensure fair and timely completion of play
Skill Determination & Eligibility

DUPR will serve as the primary reference for skill-based division placement., eligibility for this event will not be determined strictly by DUPR rating alone.

Players who do not have an established, reliable, or current DUPR rating may qualify for a division through formal skill verification.

Accepted Verification Methods

A player may submit:
  • A Letter of Verification issued by a recognized Club Lead; or
  • A *Letter of Assessment *issued by a legitimately certified pickleball coach.

The verification letter must:
  • Clearly state the player’s assessed skill level
  • Include the name, designation, and contact details of the verifier
Be submitted via email to:
[email protected]

The Tournament Director reserves the right to:
  • Review and validate all submissions
  • Request additional clarification if necessary
  • Approve or adjust division placement to preserve competitive balance

All placement decisions made by the Tournament Director are final.
Event Entry Limitations

To ensure fair scheduling and manageable match flow, players may register in a maximum of:
  • One (1) Gender Doubles event (Men’s or Women’s)
  • One (1) Mixed Doubles event
  • One (1) Singles event

All events entered must be played at the same skill division.
Age Group Flexibility

Players may compete in different age groups within those events, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.

Example:
  • A player may enter 4.0 Men’s Doubles 35+,
4.0 Mixed Doubles 19+,
and 4.0 Singles 35+.

Players may not enter multiple skill divisions (e.g., 4.0 and 4.5).
Partner Rule

For Doubles and Mixed Doubles:
  • The higher-rated partner determines the team’s division placement.
Tournament Director Discretion

The Tournament Director may adjust entries if required to:
  • Resolve scheduling conflicts
  • Maintain draw integrity
  • Prevent competitive imbalance