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<b>2026 Powerball TENNESSEE State Championship Series Presented by the Carvana PPA Tour and Southern Pickleball</b> is coming to <b>PICKLEBALL PLAYGROUND AND PICKLVILLE</b> in Knoxville, Tennessee. This is the <b>ONLY qualifying tournament in Tennessee</b> for the <b>2026 World Championships</b> in Dallas, Texas. <u>Players do NOT need to be residents of the state in which they compete.</u>
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<b>WHICH STATE HAS THE BEST PICKLEBALL PLAYERS IN 2026?</b>
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The answer will be decided through the 2026 Powerball Amateur State Championship Series, a nationwide series of State Championships hosted by Southern Pickleball across all 50 states during the 2026 season.
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This premier amateur-only series gives players of all ages and skill levels the opportunity to compete for state pride, national recognition, and qualification for the 2026 World Championships in Dallas, Texas. Medalists from each state advance to the Champions Division, where the best amateur players in the country compete for pickleball supremacy.
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<b>WHY PLAY IN THE 2026 POWERBALL AMATEUR STATE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES?</b>
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This series offers a unique opportunity to compete on a nationally unified stage while maintaining an inclusive, community-driven environment. Players can showcase their skills, represent their state, and connect with competitors nationwide. The season culminates at the 2026 World Championships in Dallas, Texas.
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<b>CHAMPIONS DIVISION – WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS QUALIFICATION</b>
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• Gold Medal – Free Registration*<br>
• Silver Medal – 50% off Registration*<br>
• Bronze Medal – 25% off Registration*<br>
*Discount applies to registration only. Event fees and other checkout fees are not discounted.
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<b>SOUTHERN PICKLEBALL – STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS</b>
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Southern Pickleball hosts State Championships across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Virginia, with Arkansas and Texas being added in 2026.
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All medalists at Southern Pickleball–hosted State Championships will also receive an invitation to the 2026 Southern Championships, held January 2027 at Rhythm & Rally Sports and Events in Macon, Georgia.
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<b>COME EXPERIENCE KNOXVILLE</b>
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Plan your trip to Knoxville and experience the perfect mix of outdoor adventure, Southern hospitality, great food, live entertainment, and vibrant downtown culture. Explore Market Square, the Old City, Historic Gay Street, and Knoxville’s Urban Wilderness while enjoying everything East Tennessee has to offer.
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<a href="https://www.visitknoxville.com" target="_blank"><b>CLICK HERE TO EXPLORE VISIT KNOXVILLE</b></a>
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<b>SCHEDULE OF PLAY</b>
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• Friday – June 5: Women’s Singles / Men’s Singles<br>
• Saturday – June 6: Women’s Doubles / Men’s Doubles<br>
• Sunday – June 7: 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. Pickleville and Pickleball Playground are approximately 22 minutes from each other </p>
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<b>REGISTRATION FEES</b>
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• Includes up to two events<br>
• Early Bird: $70 (March 1 through April 1 @11:55pm)<br>
• Regular: $85 (April 2 through May 31 @11:55pm)<br>
• Late: $95 (Begins June 1)<br>
• Additional event: $30
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<b>FREE SHIRT DEADLINE: MAY 31 AT 11:55 PM</b>
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<b>DIVISIONS OFFERED</b>
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Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, 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 | 5.0+
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<b><u>Age Groups</u></b>
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Adults: 8+ | 35+ | 50+ | 60+ | 70+ | 80+
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Age determined as of 12/31/2026
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If the tournament director combines brackets, medals and 2026 World Championship qualification eligibility will still be awarded based on the player’s original registered division.
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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>
• 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<br>
• Players with a DUPR rating of NR (no rating) may still play, but must have a DUPR ID
• 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>
• If a player’s DUPR rating is NR, the system will use a player’s self-rating from pickleball.com profile
• Players may play up in skill level, but cannot play down in skill level
• All matches will be reported to DUPR<br>
• <b>Players are responsible for verifying match scores immediately after each match</b>, 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 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">info@southernpickleball.com</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 <b>does not guarantee</b> the tournament will find a partner. This feature is provided as a courtesy so players may connect with one another. It is ultimately a <b>players responsibility</b> to find a partner. Players without partners must withdraw according to the tournament refund policy deadline to be eligible for any partial refund. <b>Full policy below in Refund Policy Section.</b></p>
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<b><u>MATCH PLAY</u></b>
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• No referees<br>
• All matches self-monitored
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<b><u>MEDIA & LIVESTREAM COVERAGE</u></b>
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• Select matches may be livestreamed on Southern Pickleball TV<br>
• <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@southernpickleballtv" target="_blank"><b>CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE MATCHES, HIGHLIGHTS & SUBSCRIBE TO SOUTHERN PICKLEBALL TV</b></a>
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