<b>The Cortland Regional Sports Council presents the 2026 Empire State Senior Games Skill Level/Age Group Pickleball Tournament.</b>
Registration fees are $55 for New York State residents and $60 for out of state residents.
<I>Each registration will be charged an additional, NON-REFUNDABLE PickleballBrackets.com fee of $5 for one event or $10 for more than one event.</i>
Registration opens on February 1st at 8:00 AM and closes on May 24th at 11:55 PM.
Wednesday - June 17th, Women's Doubles and Men's Singles
Thursday - June 18th, Mixed Doubles
Friday- June 19th, Men's Doubles and Women's Singles</b>
Tournament Director: Janice Pauly
<b>Qualifying for the National Senior Games Tournament</b>
1. The top four teams in each skill/age group will qualify for the 2027 National Senior Games in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
2. There are 4 guaranteed qualifying spots for New York State residents. If any of the top four spots in an event are taken by an out of state team or player, the next New York State team will also qualify.
3. A team of one in state player and one out of state player is considered to be an <b>out of state</b> team.
Age groups are 5 year divisions from age 50 and up <b>only. No events for younger age groups.
<b>Registration is by Age as of 12/31/2026 and DUPR skill level at the time of registration. Self ratings will only be used for players with no DUPR rating. All ratings will be updated on June 1st. Teams and players whose skill level has increased since they signed up, will be moved to a higher bracket. Each age group will have four different skill level events as follows:
<i>Please Note Event Skill Levels Overlap Allowing Teams to Play Up In Skill if Both Players Qualify</i></b>
<i>Doubles and Mixed Doubles</i>
1. Division IV - Both partners with a 3.0 or under Skill Level
2. Division III - Both partners with a 3.0 or 3.5 Skill Level
3. Division II - Both partners with a 3.5 or 4.0 Skill Level
4. Division I - Both partners with a 4.0 or above Skill Level
<i>Singles</i>
1. Division IV - 3.0 or under Skill Level
2. Division III - 3.0 or 3.5 Skill Level
3. Division II - 3.5 or 4.0 Skill Level
4. Division I - 4.0 or above Skill Level
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A team must play at the skill level of the higher rated player.
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THE TOURNAMENT DIRECTORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MOVE PLAYERS AND TEAMS TO APPROPRIATE SKILL LEVELS
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Competition each day will begin at 8:00 AM. Specific start times for each event will be posted and emailed to players approximately one week prior to the event.
The tournament format is round robin for events with a small number of teams. Games will be either to 11 or 15.
For events with a more than nine teams there will be two or more seeded pools and the top two teams in each pool will advance to a playoff round to determine medal winners. Games will be either to 11 or 15.
When age/skill groups are combined to create a playing bracket, medals and National Senior Games qualifying are based on the <b>ORIGINAL</b> age/skill group.
For a guaranteed spot in the tournament in doubles or mixed doubles, the second partner must register within <b>THREE</b> days of the first partner's registration or by the time registration closes or the bracket fills. Teams that are incomplete after that will be moved to the waiting list. Once the second partner registers, the team will be entered into the event <b>IF THERE IS STILL ROOM IN THE EVENT AND THE TOURNAMENT.
Limits may be placed on the size of each event after registration opens. Register early to guarantee your spot.</b>
Players may sign up on the waiting list at no charge for any closed event, however, openings in an event will only be filled by complete teams in doubles and mixed doubles. <b>Both partners must be signed up on the waiting list as a team in order to fill an event opening.</b>
All paddles must be USA Pickleball or UPA approved.
