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Southern Pickleball is proud to announce the <b>2026 SOUTHERN SENIORS WEST VIRGINIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS</b>, presented by <b>Mardi Gras Casino & Resort</b>. This tournament will be hosted at the <b>Nitro Athletic Complex</b> in <b>Nitro, West Virginia</b>, featuring <b>9 dedicated outdoor covered pickleball courts</b>.
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<b>Mardi Gras Casino & Resort</b> is West Virginia’s only casino resort with a New Orleans flair, featuring slots, poker, greyhound racing, off-track betting for greyhound and horse racing, restaurants, and more. Guests must be 21 or older to enter the casino or hotel. We're excited to announce that Mardi Gras Casino & Resort is offering a special discounted rate for all players and spectators attending the event! Please see the details below under Amenities for more information and booking details.
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This is a <b>50+ ONLY TOURNAMENT</b>. Turns out there really is a benefit to getting older! You've earned your place in one of the fastest-growing divisions in pickleball. Come celebrate the players who continue to prove that age is just a number and that great pickleball only gets better with experience.
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<b>2026 SOUTHERN SENIORS WEST VIRGINIA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS</b> is designed for players who enjoy great competition, camaraderie, and a first-class tournament experience. Whether you're competing for medals or simply enjoying a weekend of pickleball with friends, this event promises plenty of action on some of the best courts in West Virginia!
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<b>WELCOME TO NITRO, WEST VIRGINIA</b>
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Celebrating more than 100 years of history, Nitro is one of only two remaining World War I boomtowns in the United States. Founded in 1917 during World War I, Nitro was selected as the site for Explosives Plant C after Congress approved the construction of facilities capable of producing gunpowder for the war effort. Named after nitrocellulose, a key ingredient in gunpowder, the city quickly became a vital manufacturing center and remains an important part of West Virginia's industrial heritage today.
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Visitors can explore Nitro's unique history through attractions such as the Nitro World War I History Museum, Living Memorial Park, and other sites that celebrate the city's remarkable past. In 2017, Nitro proudly celebrated its Centennial, honoring a century of resilience, innovation, and community pride.
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<a href="https://nitrocvb.com" target="_blank">CLICK HERE to Explore Nitro, West Virginia</a>
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<b><u>SCHEDULE OF PLAY</u></b>
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<b>Saturday, October 3</b> – Men's & Women's Doubles<br>
<b>Sunday, October 4</b> – Mixed Doubles
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Play may begin as early as 8:00 AM. Specific start times for each event will be posted and emailed to players within 24–48 hours after the close of registration.
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<b><u>REGISTRATION & FEES</u></b>
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<b>EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: JULY 1 – AUGUST 1</b><br>
<b>$45 INCLUDES TWO (2) EVENTS</b>
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<b>REGULAR REGISTRATION: AUGUST 2 – SEPTEMBER 27</b><br>
<b>$65 INCLUDES TWO (2) EVENTS</b>
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Pickleball.com charges a $5 per-event service fee.
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<b>LAST DAY TO REGISTER AND RECEIVE A FREE TOURNAMENT SHIRT: SEPTEMBER 20th @ 11:55 PM</b>
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<b><u>DIVISIONS OFFERED</u></b>
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Men's & Women's Doubles | Mixed Doubles
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<b><u>SKILL LEVELS (DUPR REQUIRED) </u></b>
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2.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5
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<b>DUPR RATING RANGES</b><br>
• 2.5 Division: 2.999 and below<br>
• 3.0 Division: 3.000–3.499<br>
• 3.5 Division: 3.500–3.999<br>
• 4.0 Division: 4.000–4.499<br>
• 4.5 Division: 4.500–4.999
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<b><u>AGE GROUPS</u></b>
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50-59 | 60-69 | 70-79 | 80+
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<em>Age is determined as of 12/31/2026</em>
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If the tournament director combines any brackets, medals will be awarded based on players’ original registration.
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<b>TEAM RULE:</b> Teams must compete at the skill level of the higher-rated player (or higher) and in the age group of the younger player.
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<b><u>MATCH GUARANTEE</u></b>
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• Southern Pickleball guarantees a minimum of four (4) matches per team per event.<br>
• Tournament management reserves the right to combine brackets as needed to create playable divisions.<br>
• Tournament management reserves the right to change bracket formats.<br>
• If brackets are combined, medals will be awarded based on the original registered division.
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<b><u>RATINGS (DUPR)</u></b>
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• DUPR ratings will be used for all events – Southern Pickleball uses the <b>DUPR Overall Rating</b> (not Mixed Doubles or 50+ ratings)<br>
• Players with a DUPR rating of NR (No Rating) may still play, but must have a DUPR ID<br>
• If a player’s DUPR rating is NR, the system will use the player’s self-rating from their pickleball.com profile<br>
• Players may play up in skill level, but may not play down in age group<br>
• To create a new DUPR ID or check your DUPR rating, <a href="https://www.dupr.com" target="_blank"><b>CLICK HERE to Visit DUPR.com</b></a><br>
• All matches will be reported to DUPR<br>
• Players are responsible for verifying match scores immediately after each match, before their next match begins<br>
• Score corrections may not be possible once the next match has started, so players are strongly encouraged to verify scores promptly<br>
• Tournament Director reserves the right to move players up or down in SKILL LEVEL as deemed appropriate<br>
• After registration closes, all players' DUPR ratings will be updated and reviewed<br>
• Players whose updated DUPR rating with 50% or higher reliability exceeds the registered division will be moved to the appropriate higher bracket<br>
• Players with a DUPR rating below 50% reliability may appeal to play in a lower division<br>
• Players must initially register in the higher division mandated by their current DUPR rating<br>
• Appeals must be submitted via email to <a href="mailto:info@southernpickleball.com"><b>info@southernpickleball.com</b></a> before registration closes<br>
• Both partners (if applicable) must agree to the appeal
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<b><u>PARTNER POLICY</u></b>
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• Players may register with a partner or select "Need a Partner"<br>
• <b>IF REGISTERING WITH A PARTNER:</b> The selected partner must register within five (5) days of the first player's registration. Failure to do so will result in the team being placed on the waitlist. Once the partner registers, the team will automatically move to the active list if space is available. Registration is not guaranteed until both players are registered and paid.<br>
• <b>IF SELECTING "NEED A PARTNER":</b> Choosing this option does not guarantee the tournament will find a partner. This feature is provided as a courtesy so players may connect with one another. It is ultimately the player's responsibility to find a partner. Players without partners must withdraw according to the tournament refund policy deadline to be eligible for any partial refund. <b>See Refund Policy below.</b>
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<b><u>MATCH PLAY</u></b>
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• No referees<br>
• All matches are self-monitored
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<b><u>MEDIA & LIVESTREAM COVERAGE</u></b>
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• Players and fans are encouraged to subscribe to Southern Pickleball TV — it's FREE!<br>
• <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@southernpickleballtv" target="_blank"><b>CLICK HERE TO WATCH SOUTHERN PICKLEBALL TV, MATCHES, HIGHLIGHTS & PODCASTS — SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE</b></a>
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