Points Allocation System

Pickleball Points Allocation System: Official Guide

The Pickleball Points Allocation System is a formalized method for assigning ranking points to players based on their performance in officially sanctioned tournaments. This system serves to reward success, promote participation, and ensure a fair and transparent ranking structure throughout the competitive season. The points system is tiered, offering varying point levels based on the prestige and difficulty of each tournament.

This guide outlines the key components of the Points Allocation System, including tournament tiers, points distribution, ranking policies, and participation guidelines.

Tournament Tiers

PWR Pickleball tournaments are classified into eight distinct tiers. The higher the tier, the greater the number of ranking points awarded to players or teams. Tournaments are categorized as follows:

1. PWR 2000 (Grand Slam)

Description: The highest tier in the pickleball tournament hierarchy. These are the most prestigious events, attracting top-ranked players from across the world.
Points to Winner: 2000 points
Level: International, elite-level competition

2. PWR 1000

Description: Major tournaments at the international level, just below Grand Slams, often featuring strong competition from world-class players.
Points to Winner: 1000 points
Level: High-level international competition

3. PWR 700 (National Level Tournament)

Description: National level tournaments that attract top players within a country and few international star players as well. These events are crucial for national rankings and contribute heavily to player development.
Points to Winner: 700 points
Level: National-level competition with few international players as well

4. PWR 400 (Region/State Level Tournament)

Description: Tournaments held at the state or regional level, allowing players to compete within their broader geographical area.
Points to Winner: 400 points
Level: State or region-level competition

5. PWR 200 (Multiple Clubs Within a City)

Description: Events that involve multiple clubs within a single city or metropolitan area, allowing a diverse group of players to compete locally.
Points to Winner: 200 points
Level: City-wide competition

6. PWR 100 (Inter-Club/City Based Tournament)

Description: Competitions between various clubs across different parts of the city, often serving as entry-level tournaments for new and upcoming players.
Points to Winner: 100 points
Level: Inter-club or city-based competition

7. PWR 50 (Club Level Tournament)

Description: Grassroots-level tournaments, typically held within a single club. These events help players get introduced to competitive pickleball.
Points to Winner: 50 points
Level: Club-level competition

8. PWR Socials/Amateurs Category:

This category is designed for recreational players who can earn points by simply playing and submitting their match scores.
Points accumulated in this category will not contribute to official rankings but can be redeemed for gifts, products, free registration to events, or exclusive watch passes on our e-commerce platform.
Participation in this category allows for a more casual involvement, encouraging wider participation without the pressure of rankings.
Players can enjoy and benefit from PWR events while being part of a fun, rewards-based system.
Each Match entered will be awarded 20 rewards points

Each tier offers a different scale of ranking points based on player performance. The PWR 2000 events represent the highest level of competition, while the PWR 50 events serve as entry-level tournaments for emerging players.

Points Distribution by Placement

Points are awarded based on the final placement of players or teams in each tournament. The table below outlines the distribution of points for each tournament tier, from the Winner down to players exiting in the early rounds. This system applies to singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.

*Rest of Players category applies only to PWR 2000, PWR 1000, and PWR 700 events.

Points are awarded for each category of play: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.

Separate rankings for age categories will also be maintained.

Adjusted Points for Age Categories:

PWR 2000, PWR 1000, and PWR 700 events will be mapped to PWR 200 points distributions for age categories.
PWR 400 events will be mapped to PWR 100 points distributions for age categories.
PWR 200, PWR 100 and PWR 50 events will be mapped to PWR 50 points distributions for age categories.

Ranking Points Consideration

To maintain a fair and dynamic ranking system, players will only receive ranking points for their top eight (8) performances throughout the competitive season. This means that out of all the tournaments a player competes in, only the best 8 results will count toward their official ranking.

Best 8 Results: Only the tournaments with the highest points for a player will be factored into their total ranking score.
Performance in Multiple Categories: Players competing in different event categories (singles, doubles, mixed doubles) and different age brackets will accumulate points separately for each category.

Selection into elite tournaments and exclusive leagues, which feature a limited number of players, will be heavily influenced by Pickleball World Ranking (PWR) Points. In addition to PWR Points, other performance-based criteria such as recent tournament results, player consistency, and overall skill level will also play a crucial role in determining eligibility for these prestigious events.

Tournament Schedule and Participation

Pickleball tournaments are held at multiple venues across different regions, giving players ample opportunity to compete in both national and international circuits. Tournaments will be scheduled round the year, with a detailed calendar released frequently

Major Tournaments: PWR 2000, 1000, and 700 events will be organized across the globe, with a detailed calendar provided frequently.
Regional Tournaments: Local PWR 400, 200, 100, and 50 events will be organized regularly, allowing players to earn ranking points closer to home.

Participation in multiple events across different tiers is encouraged to maximize a player’s opportunities for success.

Rolling Points System

The Pickleball Points Allocation System operates on a rolling 52-week calendar. This means that points earned by players are valid for 52 weeks from the date they were earned. After this period, points will gradually be removed from the player’s total, ensuring that rankings reflect recent performance.

Rolling System: As new points are earned in tournaments, older points (beyond 52 weeks) will be dropped.
Continuous Ranking Updates: Player rankings are updated regularly to reflect ongoing tournament results and player performance.

Special Considerations for Players

Multiple Event Participation: Players may participate in multiple event categories during a tournament (e.g., singles, doubles, and mixed doubles). Points for each event are calculated separately.
Rest of Players Points: In the case of large-scale PWR 2000, PWR 1000, and PWR 700 tournaments, points are awarded to all participants beyond Round 64 to encourage participation in elite events.

Terms & Disclaimers

PWR Registration: Players must hold an active PWR ID to participate in ranking events and have their points counted.
Event Compliance: Tournament organizers must adhere to PWR guidelines to ensure fair competition and proper point allocation. Failure to do so may lead to penalties or the event being stripped of its ranking status.
Injury or Withdrawal: Players who withdraw due to injury or other reasons may forfeit any ranking points earned in that tournament. Points will only be awarded for matches fully completed.
Appeals: Disputes regarding ranking points, eligibility, or tournament results must be submitted in writing to PWR within 14 days of the event conclusion.
Player Conduct: Players must adhere to the PWR Code of Conduct. Unsportsmanlike behavior or rule violations may result in disqualification and loss of ranking points.
Event Cancellations: In the event of tournament cancellation, ranking points will not be awarded. Rescheduled tournaments must be reported to PWR at least 30 days in advance to retain their ranking status.
Changes to Ranking System: PWR reserves the right to modify the points allocation system or event structure as necessary to ensure fair competition. Any changes will be communicated to players and organizers well in advance.

Conclusion

The Pickleball Points Allocation System ensures a transparent, merit-based process for ranking players based on their achievements across a variety of tournaments. By providing a structured and scalable points system, it encourages players to compete regularly, excel in their respective categories, and advance in the competitive world of pickleball.