DATE
April 10, 2026: Women’s Singles & Men’s Doubles
April 11, 2026: Mixed Doubles
April 12, 2026: Men’s Singles & Women’s Doubles
TIME
Check in: 7:00 am
Start time: 8:00 am
EVENTS
Singles
Doubles
Mixed Doubles
LOCATION
Opelika Sportsplex
1001 Sportsplex Pkwy
Opelika, AL 36801
Pickleball facility with 24, covered courts
BALL
Franklin X-40, neon
LIMIT
Pickleball will be capped at 500 players.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
Friday
Start of play: TBA
Last bracket starts: TBA
Down to 12 courts: TBA
Finish play: TBA
Saturday
Start of play: TBA
Last bracket starts: TBA
Down to 12 courts: TBA
Finish play: TBA
Sunday
Start of play: TBA
Last bracket starts: TBA
Down to 12 courts: TBA
Finish play: TBA
SPORT RULES
1. All Pickleball events will be conducted in accordance with the USA Pickleball Association rules, except as modified herein. For copy of the rules, please visit the USA Pickleball website info@pickleball.org: USA Pickleball Association, PO Box 7354, Surprise, AZ 85374
2. Athletes must wear proper court shoes – no black sole shoes allowed on the court area. Also, shirt color cannot be the same color as the game ball.
3. Competitors must provide their own paddles. Balls will be provided.
ENTRY REGULATIONS
1. Pickleball will include a $5 fee for sport, not per event.
2. Anyone age 50+ by December 31, 2026.
3. Age division is determined by one’s age as of December 31, 2026.
4. The age division of competition for doubles will be determined by the younger age of the two partners as of December 31, 2026 and the highest rated partner.
5. Athletes may compete with only one partner per event. Under NSGA rules, doubles and mixed doubles are classified as events. Therefore, athletes may not compete in more than one age division for doubles and mixed doubles.
6. Skill ratings are based on DUPR Rating.
ASO MEDALS
Medals will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place for each style within each age division.
NSGA QUALIFYING
- All first-, second- and third-place winners in each age division at a 2026 NSGA qualifying games will qualify for the 2027 National Senior Games.
- States that conduct age/skill competitions may qualify up to three in each age/skill category within the division.
- Athletes must qualify in each Pickleball event (singles, doubles and mixed doubles) in which they wish to compete at the 2027 National Senior Games except where Rule E applies.
DOUBLE MEDALING/QUALIFYING
The Alabama Senior Olympics (ASO) is an open state and welcomes out-of-state participants. Out-of-state athletes are eligible to medal and to qualify for the National Senior Games; however, they do not take a qualifying position or medal away from an Alabama resident.
If an out-of-state participant places in the top three of their division, they will receive the medal earned and any qualifying position in accordance with NSGA rules for each sport. The ASO will then award medals to the top three Alabama athletes and qualify Alabama residents according to NSGA qualifying rules for each sport (see Rule H).
Skill ratings are based on “DUPR” Rating.
If you do not have a Pickleball Brackets account/rating see “Determining Skill Level” below. Through the NSGA, we are allowed 4 skill divisions along with 5 year age divisions.
Here are the following divisions:
Division 1: 2.99 and below
Division 2: 3.0 – 3.49
Division 3: 3.5 – 3.99
Division 4: 4.0 and above
For questions, call 205-607-0504
Special Hotel Rates and Discounts
Follow link and select “Hotels.”
This information proudly provided by Auburn-Opelika Tourism. For further assistance with area hotels or information, please visit aotourism.com or contact Karen Gilmore at karen@aotourism.com or 334.734.2987.
