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Pickleball518 and Emma Willard School will host the <strong>5th Annual Thanksgiving at Emma Pickleball Tournament</strong> Nov. 21-23, 2026.
Please join this annual Thanksgiving tradition. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the competition is strong. This year's free-at-first sign-up process is designed to find out what players want and build divisions for them from <strong>women's doubles, men's doubles, mixed doubles, team events, singles and skinny singles.</strong>
There will be a raffle, food drive and clothing drive to support local charities. Make Emma a part of your holiday tradition.
<b>NEW THIS YEAR: FREE EARLY INTEREST SIGNUPS</b>
Through <strong>Sept. 8</strong>, players can join the waitlist for <strong>any events they are interested in playing — FOR FREE.</strong> There is no payment and no commitment during this period. It's kind of like casting a vote. When signing up, make sure to select <strong>"Waitlist."</strong>
The goal is simple: <strong>build the divisions players actually want to play.</strong> Rather than requiring payment before there is enough interest in a particular age or skill division, the Free Early Interest Signups will show what players want.
At the end of the free period, players on the waitlist for divisions with enough interest will have the opportunity to register <strong>at a discounted rate.</strong> Only players who joined the waitlist by Sept. 8 will receive the discount.
PickleballTournaments will technically show players as being on a "waitlist" during the Free Early Interest Signup period. <strong>That does not mean the event is full.</strong> The waitlist is simply being used to collect interest before paid registration begins.
<strong>If there is an event you might want to play, put your name on the list.</strong>
Traditional doubles events will be round-robins with a goal of a <strong>five-game minimum.</strong> Players may play up a skill level. Games are to 11, win by 2. Every division will have playoffs.
The tournament director is Cathleen Crowley Denbeaux of Pickleball518. If you have questions, email <a href="mailto:[cathleen@pickleball518.com](mailto:cathleen@pickleball518.com)">[cathleen@pickleball518.com](mailto:cathleen@pickleball518.com)</a>.
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<b>SCHEDULE</b>
<p class="font-md"><strong>Saturday, Nov. 21</strong>
Women's and Men's Doubles
<strong>Sunday, Nov. 22</strong>
Mixed Doubles
<strong>Monday, Nov. 23</strong>
Age 70+ Men's & Womens Doubles, Team Events, Singles and Skinny Singles
<strong>Team Events</strong>
Teams consist of <strong>two men and two women.</strong> Teams will compete in men's doubles, women's doubles and two pairs of mixed doubles against other teams.</p>
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<li>Morning events may begin as early as 8 a.m.</li>
<li>Events may be merged or split based on player interest.</li>
<li>Final event times will be announced when registration closes.</li>
<li>Some games may be refereed.</li>
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<strong>PRICING</strong>
<strong>Through Sept. 8: Free Waitlist or $30 Early Supporter Registration</strong>
Not ready to pay? Join the waitlist for any events you're interested in <strong>for free through Sept. 8.</strong> When signing up on PickleballTournaments, make sure to select <strong>"Waitlist."</strong> No payment is required.
Players who are ready to commit can also complete their registration and pay right away. The early registration fee is $35.
<strong>Sept. 9-30: $40 Registration</strong>
Beginning Sept. 9, the registration fee is <strong>$40.</strong> Players who joined the free waitlist by Sept. 8 will receive a <strong>$5 discount code</strong> as a thank-you for helping gauge early interest and build the tournament divisions.
<strong>Beginning Oct. 1: $45 Registration</strong>
The registration fee increases to <strong>$45</strong> on Oct. 1.
<strong>What's Included</strong>
Your registration fee includes your <strong>first event — doubles, singles, skinny singles or the team event.</strong>
Want to play more? Additional events are:
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<li><strong>$15</strong> for each additional singles or skinny singles event</li>
<li><strong>$20</strong> for each additional doubles event</li>
<li><strong>$25 per player</strong> if the team event is an additional event</li>
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<strong>Out-of-State Players</strong>
A special registration rate is available for players traveling from outside New York. The out-of-state registration fee is <strong>$30 through Sept. 8, $35 from Sept. 9-30, and $35 beginning Oct. 1.</strong> The registration fee includes the player's first event. Additional event fees are the same for all players.
<p class="font-md"><strong>NOTE:</strong> PickleballTournaments charges an additional, non-refundable service fee when paid registration begins.
Drinks and light snacks will be available.
<strong>About Emma Willard School</strong>
<a href="https://www.emmawillard.org/?utm_source=pickleball518&utm_medium=tournament&utm_campaign=thanksgiving_at_emma_2026" target="_blank">Emma Willard School</a> is a private boarding and day school for girls in grades nine through 12. Founded in 1814 by Emma Hart Willard, it was the first school of higher learning for young women in the United States and remains a trailblazer in girls' education. The historic buildings make it a unique venue in the pickleball world.
<strong>About the charities</strong>
The tournament will raise money for the <a href="https://mountidatroy.org/foodpantry/?utm_source=pickleball518&utm_medium=tournament&utm_campaign=thanksgiving_at_emma_2026" target="_blank">Mt. Ida Food Pantry</a> and <a href="https://www.josephshousetroy.org/?utm_source=pickleball518&utm_medium=tournament&utm_campaign=thanksgiving_at_emma_2026" target="_blank">Joseph's House</a>, both based in Troy, N.Y.
<strong>About Pickleball518</strong>
<a href="https://www.pickleball518.com/?utm_source=pickleball518&utm_medium=tournament&utm_campaign=thanksgiving_at_emma_2026" target="_blank">Pickleball518</a> is New York's Capital Region's source for pickleball news, events and tournaments.
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