After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the tournament due to lower than anticipated player registrations. While disappointing, this appears to be part of a broader trend being experienced by pickleball across Alberta this year, with many tournaments seeing significantly reduced registrations.
A letter has bee sent to all those who were registered as of May 23rd, 2026.
We look forward to seeing everyone next year!!
This sanctioned tournament will follow all Global Pickleball Federation rules.
Hosted by the Medicine Hat Pickleball Club at the South Country Co-op Pickleball Courts in Medicine Hat, Alberta, this tournament will take place Friday July 3rd to Sunday July 5th, 2026.
Schedule:
Friday July 3rd - Women's Doubles
Saturday July 4th - Mixed Doubles
Sunday July 5th - Men's Doubles / Junior Men's Doubles & Junior Women's Doubles
The 2026 Medicine Hat Pickleball Club “ Sunny South Open” Tournament is open to all players 8 years of age and older. All players must be members of Pickleball Canada.
** EYE PROTECTION IS MANDATORY FOR ALL JUNIORS **
Registration will open on Thursday April 2nd at 7:00 p.m. MST and will close on Monday June 1st, 2026 at 12 midnight MST.
This tournament will be DUPR skill based (3.0 and under, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and Open) and age based ( Juniors 12-17), Adults 12-34, 35-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 plus). Should both players choose to, they may play up ONLY 0.5 rating level from their current DUPR. Players with Dupr 2.0 ratings will be able to play in 3.0 brackets. The only exception is for the Open events, where all players must have a minimum 4.5 DUPR rating to play in that event. This tournament has a 4.0, 4.5 and Open event, and a 4.0 player can play up into the 4.5 event but not into the Open event. Open events are for 4.5 and above DUPR skill level players only. Both players can play down in age. The Tournament Director will ensure this policy is adhered to. Adults 18 and over may not play down in age in the Junior Brackets.
The registration fee is $85.00 ( includes one event) and each event thereafter is an additional $15.00. Adults can enter a maximum of two events (one doubles, and one mixed event) and Juniors may play up in age in a maximum of two events ( adult doubles and adult mixed) and they can if the schedule allows play in the Junior events. Pickleball Tournament fees are the responsibility of the player at the time of registration.
Registration will be considered complete when both players are registered, and payment is made in FULL. If payment is not made in eight days, the team will be moved to the wait list.
The tournament format will be Round Robin play. Matches during the round robin will be 1 game to 15 win by two. Top teams will play a medal round, with Gold matches being 2/3 to 11 win by 2 and Bronze matches being one game to 15 win by 2
It will be at the discretion of the Tournament Director to combine brackets and determine the final format. Medals will be awarded to the top three teams in each (combined) bracket.
All play will be outdoors on 20 courts. The South Country Co-op Pickleball Courts are located at the Big Marble Go Centre, 2000 Division Ave NW, Medicine Hat. The tournament ball is the neon yellow Franklin 40-X.
A concession will be open daily with healthy offerings including wraps, salads, energy drinks and more. In addition Pickler’s Beer Garden will be open daily at 11am with an assortment of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.
Every attempt will be made to have all games officiated. We are looking for both certified referees and non-accredited referees. Referees will be compensated as follows:
Level 1 - $7 per match
Level 2 - $10 per match
Certified Referees - $15 per match
Non-accredited Referees - $5 per match
An on-line waiver will be required to be signed by all participants.
