Bringing together players from around the world to play pickleball in the World's largest city
Take part in exhibition, clinics & challenges with pros that compete at the highest level of pickleball
Experience playing pickleball for the first time in an Olympic venue
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When:
Thursday, 12/12/2024 to Sunday, 12/15/2024
Sunday will feature an exhibition match with top US pros on the show courts!
How to Register:
Amazing opportunity to join by James Ignatowich, top 5 pro, in Japan!
Volunteer
Tournament Details
Organized/Hosted by:
Pickleball Japan Federation (PJF)
Supported by:
US Embassy in Tokyo
Partners:
Oahu Pickleball Association, Washington DC Pickleball, Hoyu Medical Group
Sponsors:
Dates:
December 12-15, 2024 （Weather Makeup Day Dec. 16th）
On the final day, there will be exhibition matches by top American pros at the show court
Tournament Dates/Hours:
9:00AM to 5:00PM
*End time could be extended for weather delays
Events Offered:
OPEN:
Mixed, Men's, and Women's Doubles
Must be level 4.0 or higher
All Ages
Format:
Double elimination (with a loser's bracket).
Best of 3 games to 11 points, win by 2 points.
The winning pair in the open category will receive points equivalent to a round-trip economy class ticket from Japan to Hawaii, courtesy of ZIPAIR.
All participants in the open category will receive a ticket for “Challenge the Pros” (1-point challenge against a pro).
SKILL/MASTER:
Mixed, Men's, and Women's Doubles
Divided by age and skill level
If draw sizes permit, each team will play a minimum of 3 matches.
Format:
Round robin one game to 15 points, win by 2 points
If there are 8 teams or more, top 2 teams from each group will playoff in a single elimination bracket, 2 out of 3 to 11, win by 2 points.
If necessary, based on registration numbers, categories will be combined by age first. If necessary, we may also combine some skills. Our goal is to keep the categories as closely matched as possible.
Match format may change due to weather or participation circumstances.
Divisions:
OPEN
Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, Mix Doubles
*4.0+ required
SKILL (Age: 8+, 35+, 45+)
Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, Mix Doubles
MASTER (Age: 55+, 65+, 70+)
Men's Doubles, Women's Doubles, Mix Doubles
Brackets:
Age Groups
8-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-69, 70+
*Please apply using your age as of 2024
Skill Levels
3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0+, Open
*DUPR or self-reported
Referees will be utilized as follows:
Exhibition Matches: Certified Referees
Medal Matches: Certified/Volunteer Referees
All Others: Volunteer referees or self judged with a court keeper present
Court keepers will be monitoring self-judge courts
Official Tournament Ball:
DIADEM The Official Pickleball - Outdoor Pickleball
Selection Method:
First-come, first-serve until capacity is reached each day
Awards:
Gold, Silver, and Bronze for each bracket
Tournament Fees:
Registration Fee:
$75 for early bird registration completed and paid by July 31, 2024
$85 for registrations August 1 - September 30, 2024
$100 for registrations October 1 - November 30, 2024
Included with your Registration Fee:
Tournament commemorative T-shirt
Yakult Quick Charge
Yakult 1000
Software usage fee
PJF registration fee and first-year membership fee
Consumption tax, card fees, etc.
Event Fees:
Open: $40 per event
Age/skill Event: $20 per event
Luxury prizes provided by Tournament Sponsors:
Luxury prizes provided by Tournament Sponsors
ZIPAIR Prize: Round trip economy ticket between Tokyo and Honolulu
Mockingbird Pacific Award: Ilikai Hotel Honolulu 2 nights
Diadem Award: 10 Paddles
Selkirk: 10 Paddles
Joola: 10 Paddles
Mino Pickleball: 10 Paddles
Yobi Paddles: 10 paddles
Registration Deadline:
Registrations have closed September 1st, 2024 as we have reached capacity
Cancellation Fee:
For cancellations by 11:30 PM JST on November 30, 2024, refunds will be given minus software usage fees, card fees, and exchange rate differences. No refunds after this date.
Weather:
The average temperature in Tokyo in December is low 39F, high 55F. Chances of precipitation are low, sky is usually clear.
Warm clothing such as heavy down jackets and fleece recommended for watching the matches. The venue includes indoor waiting areas, locker rooms, and shower facilities.
Weather-related schedule changes: Adjustments will be made as necessary, including using night courts, indoor courts with same surfaces, and December 16 as a reserve day.
*In the event of adverse weather conditions, no refunds will be issued for any cancellations or schedule changes.
Important Information:
The tournament is subject to change due to participation numbers, social conditions, and other unavoidable circumstances.
The organizer and venue are not responsible for injuries, accidents, or theft.
Participants are liable for any damages they cause to the venue, other participants, or third parties.
The organizer retains the rights to images, videos, articles, and records of the tournament.
The tournament includes recreational insurance, and medical professionals and trainers will be on-site thanks to the sponsorship of Houyu Medical Corporation.
All players will be treated equally.
*All details above are subject to change
Daily Schedule
Pro Clinic
Pro Clinic by Top Pros James Ignatowich! Perfect chance to get pre-tournament instructions!
Open Division
Categories: Mixed Doubles
Age Groups: Open
Skill Levels: 4.0+
Masters Division
Categories: Men's and Women's Doubles
Age Groups: 55+, 65+, 70
Skill Levels: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0+
Opening Reception
Open Division
Categories: Men's and Women's Doubles
Age Groups: Open
Skill Levels: 4.0+
Masters Division
Categories: Mixed Doubles
Age Groups: 55+, 65+, 70
Skill Levels: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0+
Skill Division
Categories: Men's and Women's Doubles
Age Groups: 8+, 35+, 45+
Skill Levels: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0+
Skill Division
Categories: Mixed Doubles
Age Groups: 8+, 35+, 45+
Skill Levels: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0+
Special Events
Join us for an exhbition match between top pros at the Ariake show court!
*All details above are subject to change
3.0
FOREHAND:
Ability to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks directional intent and consistency.
BACKHAND:
Avoids using a backhand. Lacks directional intent and consistency.
SERVE / RETURN:
Able to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks depth, direction, and consistency.
DINK:
Not able to consistently sustain a dink rally. Not yet developed the ability to control this shot.
3RD SHOT:
Generally hits a medium paced ball with little direction.
VOLLEY:
Able to hit a medium paced shot. Lacks direction/inconsistent.
STRATEGY:
Understands fundamentals. Is learning proper court positioning. Knows the fundamental rules and can keep score and is now playing tournaments.
3.5
FOREHAND:
Improved stroke development with moderate level of shot control.
BACKHAND:
Learning stroke form and starting to develop consistency but will avoid if possible.
SERVE / RETURN:
Consistently gets serve/return in play with limited ability to control depth.
DINK:
Increased consistency, with limited ability to control height/depth. Sustains medium length rallies. Starting to understand variations of pace.
3RD SHOT:
Developing the drop shot in a way to get to the net.
VOLLEY:
Is able to volley medium paced shots thereby developing control.
STRATEGY:
Moves quickly towards the non-volley zone (NVZ) when opportunity is there. Acknowledges difference between hard game and soft game and is starting to vary own game during recreation and tournament play. Can sustain short rallies. Is learning proper court positioning. Basic knowledge of stacking and understands situations where it can be effective.
4.0
FOREHAND:
Consistently hits with depth and control. Is still perfecting shot selection and timing.
BACKHAND:
Has improved stroke mechanics and has moderate success at hitting a backhand consistently.
SERVE / RETURN:
Places a high majority of serves/returns with varying depth and speed.
DINK:
Increased consistency with moderate ability to control height/depth. May end dink rally too soon due to lack of patience. Is beginning to understand difference between attackable balls and those that are not.
3RD SHOT:
Selectively mixing up soft shots with power shots to create an advantage with inconsistent results.
VOLLEY:
Able to volley a variety of shots at different speeds. Is developing consistency and control. Starting to understand the block/re-set volley.
STRATEGY:
Aware of partner’s position on the court and is able to move as a team. Demonstrates ability to change direction in an offensive manner. Demonstrates a broad knowledge of the rules of the game. Has a moderate number of unforced errors per game. Solid understanding of stacking and when and how it could be used in match play. Beginning to identify opponents weaknesses and attempts to formulate game plan to attack weaknesses. Beginning to seek out more competitive play.
Venue:
Venue:
Ariake Tennis Forest Park
Address: 2-2-22 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo
Access: 8 min. walk from 'Ariake Station' or 'Ariake Tennis no Mori Station' on the Yurikamome Line, or 'Kokusai Tenjijo Station' on the Rinkai Line
*Subject to change
Hotel Booking Portal:
The tournament venue is the Ariake Tennis Forest.
See below for main areas.
Ariake Tennis Forest is in the Ariake and Odaiba area.
【 Time required from various locations via public transport 】
Haneda Airport → Ariake / Odaiba Area (45 min)
Tournament Venue → Tokyo Station / Ginza Area (30 min)
Tournament Venue → Roppongi Area (40 min)
Players looking to book their overnight stay can access near by hotels with links below.
Online payment only
For Group Organizers:
If you're having trouble planning and booking your stay in Japan, we'll handle it for you!
We offer more than just travel, offering enticing “everyday” content that expands your experiences.
*The minimum number of traveler per group is 10.
For more information, please contact the email below:
JTB Corp.
Nagoya Dept. Global Mice Sales
Email: e_kato113@jtb.com
Venue:
English FAQ here