This was originally posted several years ago but I just updated it with 2024 dates.
The registration lottery for the Minto US OPEN Pickleball Championships in Naples, Florida officially opened today. But what is it exactly and why am I so excited?
The Minto US Open is the biggest pickleball tournament and the biggest pickleball party in the world. It a week-long event held at the East Naples Community Park that every pickleball addict must experience at least once in their lifetime. Here are the basic details:
- This year the tournament will be held April 13 – 20, 2024.
- The tournament will be at the Naples Pickleball Center. With its 60 permanent dedicated pickleball courts, it is currently the largest pickleball facility in the world. And, the new welcome center features locker rooms, bathrooms, and more shade.
- Besides being able to watch professional and amateur pickleball players compete on 59 courts for free throughout the week, the event features a US OPEN Expo tent, beer garden, and daily entertainment. (There is a $5 daily parking fee which benefits the local Kiwanis club. However, the nice thing is, unlike other major tournaments, there is no gate fee or grounds pass fee. Once you’ve parked, you are free to walk around and explore the tournament.)
- Spectators will need to purchase tickets to watch matches at the Zing Zang Championship Court. Due to the overwhelming popularity of the event, tickets to Championship Court are also sold via a lottery process. The ticket lottery dates for this year are February 2-6, 2024. Sign up here to be notified when the Championship Court ticket lottery opens.
If you want to play, you can enter the registration lottery on pickleballbrackets.com between January 10 and January 16, 2024. Here’s what you should know:
- Registration fees do not need to be paid until players win the lottery draw and are notified to make payment. The costs are as follows:
- $130 for athlete credential plus $40 for each event entered
- $130 for pro credential plus $100 for each event ($80 per event for senior pros)
- $25 for junior credential ($130 less the $105 junior player discount using code iF9269QB) plus $25 for each event
- If you enter a pro level event of any kind, you will not be eligible to enter any amateur skill/age events. For example, if you cannot enter a pro singles event and also enter any skill/age doubles events. Or if you are playing in a pro gender or mixed doubles event, then you cannot play in skill/age singles.
- Players are encouraged to register for events based on their current WPR but may play up in skill level. Players may also play in a lower age division. NOTE: The registration lottery does not prioritize entries based on registration date/time. Players/teams entering in the appropriate age/skill group are given priority in the registration lottery.
- First Priority: Given to players or teams entering an event of their WPR skill/age.
- Second Priority: Given if one player on the team has the WPR of that event and only one player is in the age group of that event.
- Third Priority: Given if neither player on the team has the WPR of that event or is in the age group of that event.
- Players do not need to be a USA Pickleball member and there are no required qualifying events.
- Those looking for a partner should join the Minto US OPEN Pickleball Championship Player Connections Facebook group. There are already several players who have posted that they are searching for partners.
- List your partner on your registration.
- If your partner cancels (or is unable to play for any reason), email registration@usopenpickleball.com.
- Before April 1, 2024 — You may choose a player who is not already registered.
- After April 1, 2024 — You must choose a sub who is already registered in the tournament.
- Check the “Players Needing Partners” section of the tournament for potential replacement partners.
- Replacement players must be able to play in the same skill/age group that you have a spot in. (Players may play down in age and up in skill.)
- Replacements must be communicated to registration@usopenpickleball.com by 6 PM the day before your event is scheduled to play. (Requests received after 6 PM will be reviewed by the Tournament Director for approval.)
- Players need to be aware that this is an outdoor tournament and there is no indoor back up. There are no refunds or make up days if the tournament is impacted by weather. Refunds will only be issued to players who have purchased the US OPEN Insurance Program. Insurance is $25 per person in addition to credential and event registration fees.
- Players who withdraw from the tournament before March 1, 2022 will be entitled to a full refund (less a $25 processing fee) without the need to purchase the US OPEN Insurance Program. The insurance covers you in case you have to withdraw from an event after the refund deadline. Insurance also covers you in case your event is canceled due to weather. Click on the link for the full details who what is and isn’t covered.
REGISTRATION TIMELINE
January 10-16 — Registration is open. Enter the registration lottery anytime within this window.
January 23 — Email confirmations are sent to all the registration lottery winners.
January 27 — Deadline to submit payment.
January 27-February 2 — Teams that have not paid are removed and alternates are notified.
March 1 — Refund deadline. Withdraw by this date to receive a full refund less the $25 processing fee.
March 15 — Event player list is posted.
April 1 — Deadline to bring a non-registered player as a sub. After this date, you must select a sub from the list of registered players under “Players Needing Partners” section.
All dates are estimated. For full event details and lodging information go to usopenpickleball.com.
How does the registration lottery work?
- Players who are registered without a partner are excluded from the lottery but will remain in the tournament so those names will be visible to other players who may need to find a replacement.
- Winning the lottery is per event, not per registration. If you win the lottery for one event but not others, you are only entered in that specific event.
- The lottery process continues until all the events are filled (or each day reaches capacity).
- Lottery winners will be notified by email no later than January 23, 2024.
- Payment must be made, in full, by both members of the team, by the January 27, 2024 deadline to secure your spot. Non-payment by either player on the team, will result in removal from the event.
Should you have any questions, please email registration@usopenpickleball.com.
TOURNAMENT FORMAT
Amateur/Junior/Senior Pro Events
- All events will be run as double elimination with a consolation bracket. The consolation bracket will play for the bronze medal. The winner’s bracket will play for the gold and silver medals.
- Brackets age 65+ and above – Minimum bracket size is 3 players in singles or 3 teams in doubles.
- Brackets under the age of 65 will be combined if less than 6 teams or players registered.
Men’s Pro Qualifying Events
- Mens Pro Singles/Mens Pro Doubles and Mixed Pro Doubles will have qualifiers. Each qualifier will be single elimination to determine the last 8 players/team who will advance to the Main Draw. Any player/team not playing in the Main Draw will play a points draw.
- Top 24 pros as determined by the WPR and US Open seeding committee will automatically be in the main draw. Main draw will consist of the Top 24 pros and 8 qualifiers for a 32 bracket draw.
NOTE: Players wanting to play pro and sign up for pro may only play pro level events. Players may not play both amateur and pro events.