Is 2023 the year you’re playing your first tournament? If so, I’m going to tell you right now… you’re about to get HOOKED. Tournaments are SO MUCH FUN. Whether it’s a competitive outlet, a way to get out and socialize with more pickleball obsessed people or a fun excuse to travel… I can promise, you’re going to have a BLAST.
I’ve been playing and competing in tournaments for the past 3 years and I feel like I can say that I’ve FINALLY dialed in my tournament check list when it comes to items to bring to a pickleball tournament. So no more time to waste– here’s what I suggest you bring to your next pickleball tournament.
Pickleball Tournament Checklist
1. A Pickleball Bag: I know, this seems self explanatory but for the first year and a half of playing pickleball I brought A SMALL SPORT BACKPACK with me as my “pickleball bag” because I was too cheap to invest and get an actual one. So I’d walk around with my pickleball paddle handles sticking out the top and besides that I could only additionally fit a water bottle. Needless to say, I was wildly unprepared because I simply didn’t have any room to put anything else in there. That being said, if you’re planning on playing in tournaments– PLZ invest in a BIG pickleball backpack.
I now use the Selkirk Tour Backpack as this is the largest backpack they have. It has a separate cooler compartment, a shoe compartment (so your shoes don’t stink up your entire bag) and it’s got all the room in the world for paddles, balls and everything else you could need.
‼️PSSST, DISCOUNT DISLCAIMER‼️ If your interested in a Selkirk purchase and want some money back in your pocket, use code ADV-ALLTHINGSPB at check out and you’ll receive a gift card via email with credit towards your next Selkirk order!
2. Pickleball Paddles: Emphasis on the “S” meaning MULTIPLE PADDLES. Some people might think having two paddles is excessive. And sure, it seems like that until you’re at a tournament and you BREAK A PADDLE. What are the chances of that you might ask– well I thought that too until it happened to my husband and I when were at a tournament and he had to use a random paddle from someone else. Now, I’m not saying that you need to purchase two of the same paddles… but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to bring your old paddle along with your current one.
The current paddle I use is my SELKIRK PROJECT 002 by Selkirk Labs and my back up paddle is my Selkirk Power Air Invikta!
‼️PSSST, DISCOUNT DISLCAIMER‼️ If your interested in a Selkirk purchase and want some money back in your pocket, use code ADV-ALLTHINGSPB at check out and you’ll receive a gift card via email with credit towards your next Selkirk order!
3. Extra Pickleballs: I made the mistake at my first tournament thinking I didn’t need to bring any pickleballs with me (let alone the face that I couldn’t fit any in my tiny backpack anyways)… I thought surely they would have some there for me to use. Turns out I was wrong. Typically tournaments don’t give you any pickleballs until it’s time for an official match to start. So make sure that you bring extras of whatever type of pickleball the tournament is using so you have a ball to warm up with and hit around in between matches.
My go to is the Onix Dura-Fast 40 pickleball, this seems to be the most popular and most widely used pickleball for USA sanctioned tournaments.
4. Sun Protection: If your tournament is outdoors then it’s always a good idea to bring a hat and/or sunglasses with you to avoid the sun getting in your eyes. I’ve made this mistake before and it’s so frustrating when you miss a shot due to the sun getting in your eyes. So avoid the frustration and make sure you have some type of sun protection! For sunglasses, I really like Shady Rays Nitro sunglasses because sun can’t seep through the sides.
Also, if it’s summer time and really sunny don’t forget to wear and bring some sweat proof sunscreen! As for sunscreen, I really like the EltaMD UV Sport lotion. It’s non-greasy, oil free and won’t drip into your eyes and sting.
5. Water Bottle: I know this might feel like a no brainer but I’ve got to put it here just in case. You NEED to make sure you have a refillable water bottle. A lot of tournaments have a water fountain or and area where you can re-fill it so it’s nice to just bring your own bottle so you can re-use it. I personally like my dyln water bottle because it turns your water into alkaline water which is AMAZING. But any water bottle will do.
6. Electrolytes: Tournaments can be LONG days, especially if you’re planning to make it to the medal matches! I’ve had tournament days where I’ve been playing for 7-8 hours straight in large brackets. It’s so important to have water as well as electrolytes to replenish your sodium levels and keep you hydrated & your muscles happy!
I personally use Jigsaw Pickleball Cocktail or Electrolyte Supreme because they’re sugar-free (sweetened naturally by monk fruit) electrolyte/potassium beverage! I love that this doesn’t give me a stomach ache or feel weird because there’s no artificial sweetener in it!
‼️PSSST, DISCOUNT DISLCAIMER‼️If your interested in any Jigsaw products and want some money back in your pocket, use code ALLTHINGSPB10 at check out and you’ll get $10 off your entire order!
7. Pickleball Court Shoes & Extra Socks: Don’t make the mistake that I did when I played my first two tournaments in my nike running shoes. I slid my way all around that court and didn’t stop sliding until I switched to official pickleball court shoes! Court shoes are awesome because they support the lateral movement that pickleball play requires as well as having a flat bottomed, durable, rubber sole that doesn’t wear down as fast as something like running shoes or basketball shoes would.
The Pickleball shoes I’m currently wearing are the Skechers Viper Court shoes (Womens shoes linked here! & Men’s shoes linked here!). These court shoes feature Goodyear rubber outsoles that deliver enhanced traction for indoor and outdoor court play! If you’re not into Skechers but still shopping around for some court shoe options then I’d suggest checking out the shoe selection at Pickleball Central.
Also- it’s not a bad idea to also bring a couple pairs of socks with you… I’m a hard core sweater and it’s nice to freshen up the socks after a few matches. OS1 compression socks are awesome in my opinion, they’re comfortable and made from a great material!
8. Appropriate Clothing & Extra Clothes: Pro Tip– always check the weather the day before you play and come prepared with a few outfit changes (especially if you’re a sweat monster like me). I get cold so easily so I’m always bringing a pair of joggers or a windbreaker / sweatshirt for mornings when it’s cold so I’m able to keep warm before matches. Additionally, I also like to bring a change of clothes for later in the day just in case I want to change from a sweaty pair of clothes to something a bit fresher in between big breaks when I’m waiting for my next match.
‼️PSSST, DISCOUNT DISLCAIMER‼️ If your interested in a Selkirk purchase and want some money back in your pocket, use code ADV-ALLTHINGSPB at check out and you’ll receive a gift card via email with credit towards your next Selkirk order!
9. Sandals or Flip Flops: I know this might seem like it’s coming out of left field but I swear, you’ll thank me for this. Because let me tell you, when you’ve played 3 hours straight and now you have a 2 hour break between now and your next match. Think about it, your feet are hot and swelling because of all the pickleball play and the last thing you want is to keep your feet cooped up in your stuffy court shoes. This is when you’re going to be SO HAPPY to pull out your sandals and let your feet breathe. Honestly, you can use whatever you’d like here… I personally love my Amazon no name slides.
10. Food & Snacks: Nothing crazy here, just make sure you pack a lunch and have a bunch of snacks in your bag for you to fuel up throughout the day. I’ve made the mistake before by not bringing a meal and it’s a drag. I personally like bars, fruit/nut mixes and bananas! Otherwise it’s also nice to have a little cash on hand just in case you want to buy some food from vendors if tournament has them.
11. Ice pack / Pain-Relieving Cream: This is a good one to have something like this in your bag just in case you need it. I like this CBD cream personally. This CBD gel is infused with peppermint oil and it helps to reduce inflammation and aches. I’ve used this before on my forearm area if my muscles there are starting to feel a bit achey after a lot of repeated hours of playing.
On another note– this isn’t required by any means but I also bring my Hyperice Massage Gun and it’s AWESOME to hit some of your bigger muscle groups for a little therapy in between matches.
12. Folding chair: I’ve FINALLY learned my lesson when it comes to this one. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a tournament where there’s been enough seating for all players and spectators to use. And trust me, it’s not fun to be the one that has to stand around in between matches after playing for the last hour straight. You can bring anything like your typical camping chair or something a smaller that you can fit into your bag like this little fold up stool.
13. Cooler: If you’re bring food and some different drinks with you, it’s probably a good idea to bring a cooler. Nothing beats a cool drink after an intense pickleball match. Any cooler will work, but I like this one simply because it rolls.
14. Camera & Mount to Record Matches: This is NOT needed by any means. But I will say that tournaments have been my BIGGEST learning experience when it comes to developing my pickleball skills because they make me really aware of my weakness and my strengths. I really wish I started recording my matches earlier because it’s really great to re-watch games and see what worked and what didn’t. I now have a GoPro and a Pickleball Camera Mount that I can just throw over a fence and have it record all my matches. It’s awesome and a great tool if you’re serious about improving your game and a pickleball nerd like me. (Side note: you can actually use your iPhone with the Camera Mount as well. So if you’re trying not to break the bank, that’s a good option!)
15. Your ID for check-in: Lastly, make sure you bring your ID. Many sanctioned tournaments now require your ID for checking in. So make sure you have this handy!
Leave a Reply