When

Registration opens

Jul 25 2026

8:00 AM EST

Registration ends

Nov 29 2026

8:00 AM EST

Registration Cost

$ 70.00

per player

Where

Get Directions

Rhythm and Rally

3661 Eisenhower Parkway

Macon, GA, 31201

Tournament Description

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Welcome to the Candy Cane Classic presented by AARP hosted at Rhythm and Rally—the world’s largest indoor pickleball facility and brought to you by Southern Pickleball! We are excited to have you join us for a competitive and well-organized Southern Pickleball event.

SCHEDULE OF PLAY

Friday, December 4th – Men’s & Women’s Singles

Saturday, December 5th – Men’s & Women’s Doubles

Sunday, December 6th – Mixed Doubles

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.

REGISTRATION & FEES

Entry fee is $70 and includes one (1) event.

Additional events are $15 each.

Pickleball.com charges a $5 service fee per event.

LAST DAY TO REGISTER AND RECEIVE A FREE TOURNAMENT SHIRT: NOVEMBER 22ND AT 11:55 PM

REGISTRATION CLOSES: NOVEMBER 29TH AT 11:55 PM

DIVISIONS OFFERED

Men’s & Women’s Singles | Men’s & Women’s Doubles | Mixed Doubles

SKILL LEVELS (DUPR ID REQUIRED)

2.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5

DUPR RATING RANGES

• 2.5 Division: 2.999 and below

• 3.0 Division: 3.000–3.499

• 3.5 Division: 3.500–3.999

• 4.0 Division: 4.000–4.499

• 4.5 Division: 4.500–4.999

AGE GROUPS

15+ | 35+ | 50+ | 60+ | 70+ | 80+

Age is determined as of 12/31/2026.

Age divisions may be further divided or combined at the discretion of tournament management based on registration numbers and overall bracket composition.

If the Tournament Director combines any brackets, medals will be awarded based on players’ original registration divisions.

TEAM RULE: Doubles teams must compete at the skill level of the higher-rated player or higher and in the age group of the younger player.

CHRISTMAS IN MACON, GEORGIA

The city of Macon shows out at Christmas time! Witness a colorful canopy of one million lights moving in time to music along the streets of downtown Macon. See how a local citizen—and pickleball player—reimagined public space for the holidays with the generous support of the Peyton Anderson Foundation, Knight Foundation, and Community Foundation of Central Georgia to create one of downtown Macon’s most innovative tools for economic development.

CLICK HERE FOR THINGS TO DO IN MACON

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RHYTHM AND RALLY:

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE

</a>

MATCH GUARANTEE

• Southern Pickleball guarantees a minimum of four (4) matches per player or team per event.

• Tournament management reserves the right to combine brackets as needed to create playable divisions.

• Tournament management reserves the right to change bracket formats.

• If brackets are combined, medals will be awarded based on the original registered division.

SKILL LEVELS/RATINGS (DUPR ID REQUIRED)

• DUPR ratings will be used for all events – Southern Pickleball uses the DUPR overall rating, not the mixed rating.

• 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" rel="noopener noreferrer">CLICK HERE TO VISIT DUPR.COM</a>

• If a player’s DUPR rating is NR, the system will use the player’s self-rating from their pickleball.com profile.

• Players may play up in skill level, but cannot play down in age level.

• All matches will be reported to DUPR.

• Players are responsible for verifying match scores immediately after each match, before their next match begins.

• Score corrections may not be possible once the next match has started, so players are strongly encouraged to verify scores promptly.

• The Tournament Director reserves the right to move players up or down as deemed appropriate.

• After registration closes, all players’ DUPR ratings will be updated and reviewed.

• Players whose updated DUPR rating with 50% or higher reliability exceeds the registered division will be moved to the appropriate higher bracket.

• Players with a DUPR rating below 50% reliability may appeal to play in a lower division.

• Players must initially register in the higher division mandated by their current DUPR rating.

• Appeals must be submitted via email to <a href="mailto:info@southernpickleball.com">info@southernpickleball.com</a> before registration closes.

• Both partners, if applicable, must agree to the appeal.

PARTNER POLICY

Players may register WITH A PARTNER or register and select NEEDS A PARTNER.

• IF REGISTERING WITH A PARTNER: 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.

• IF SELECTING “NEEDS A PARTNER”: Choosing this option does not guarantee the tournament will find you 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. See the full policy in the Refund Policy section below.

MATCH PLAY

• No referees

• All matches are self-monitored

MEDIA & LIVESTREAM COVERAGE

• Players and fans are encouraged to subscribe to Southern Pickleball TV.

• <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@southernpickleballtv" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CLICK HERE TO WATCH TOURNAMENT COVERAGE, HIGHLIGHTS, PODCASTS, AND SUBSCRIBE TO SOUTHERN PICKLEBALL TV</a>

GUIDELINES, RULES & PADDLES

The Southern Pickleball Association adheres to the guidelines set forth in the USA Pickleball Rulebook. All gameplay, officiating, and judgment decisions during our events are based on these rules to ensure consistency and fairness for all players. Southern Pickleball reserves the right to deviate from the USA Pickleball rules at the discretion of tournament management.

We encourage all participants to familiarize themselves with the USA Pickleball Rulebook to understand the standards and expectations that govern our games.

<a href="https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/official-rules/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CLICK HERE TO VISIT USA PICKLEBALL'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE</a>

In addition, the Southern Pickleball Association allows paddles that are on the official UPA-A Amateur and USA Pickleball approved paddle lists. It is the player’s responsibility to ensure their paddle is currently approved for amateur tournament play.

<a href="https://equipment.usapickleball.org/paddle-list/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CLICK HERE</a> to view the USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List.

<a href="https://upaa.unitedpickleball.com/approved-paddles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CLICK HERE</a> to view the UPA-A Amateur Approved Paddle List.

Players found to be playing with an unapproved paddle may be subject to forfeit at the discretion of the Tournament Director and/or tournament referee.

Additionally, players discovered to have two or more DUPR accounts may be subject to withdrawal from the tournament at the discretion of the Tournament Director.

Players with multiple DUPR accounts should contact

<a href="mailto:support@dupr.com">support@dupr.com</a> to have their accounts merged.

Thank you for helping us uphold the integrity of the sport.

CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUPPORT

Southern Pickleball is happy to answer questions and assist with any issues related to registration, scheduling, divisions, or tournament policies. Please send all correspondence to

<a href="mailto:info@southernpickleball.com">info@southernpickleball.com</a>.

For the fastest and most accurate service, please include the following information in your message:

• Your full name

• Your partner’s full name, if applicable

• Age

• Phone number and email address for both players

• The bracket you are currently playing and/or the bracket you wish to play

• Providing complete information will help us respond more efficiently

WITHDRAWAL & CANCELLATION POLICY

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• Cancellation Deadline: November 20th at 11:55 PM ET

• Withdrawals before the deadline receive a refund minus a $20 processing fee

• All approved refunds will be issued the week following the conclusion of the tournament

• Pickleball tournament service fees are non-refundable

• Tournament entry may close at any time if daily capacity limits are reached

WEATHER & TOURNAMENT INSURANCE

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Optional Weather & Tournament Insurance is available for $12 and may be purchased during registration.

TOURNAMENT INSURANCE COVERS:

• Weather-related cancellations

• Withdrawals due to injury or family emergency for the player or their partner

Players who purchase Tournament Insurance will receive a 100% refund of registration and event fees if they are unable to compete in at least one event during the tournament. Registration fees are non-transferable.

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Additional Information

</div>

GUIDELINES, RULES & PADDLES

We encourage all participants to familiarize themselves with the USA Pickleball Rulebook to understand the standards and expectations that govern our games.

<a href="https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/official-rules/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO VISIT USA PICKLEBALL'S OFFICIAL WEBSITE</a>

In addition, the Southern Pickleball Association allows paddles that are on the official UPA-A Amateur and USA Pickleball approved paddle lists. It is the player's responsibility to ensure their paddle is currently approved for amateur tournament play.

<a href="https://equipment.usapickleball.org/paddle-list/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to view the USA Pickleball Approved Paddle List

<a href="https://upaa.unitedpickleball.com/approved-paddles/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> to view the UPA-A Amateur Approved Paddle List

Players found to be playing with an unapproved paddle may be subject to forfeit at the discretion of the tournament director and/or tournament referee.

Additionally, players discovered to have two or more DUPR accounts may be subject to withdrawal from the tournament at the discretion of the tournament director.

Players with multiple DUPR accounts should contact

<a href="mailto:support@dupr.com">support@dupr.com</a> to have their accounts merged.

Thank you for helping us uphold the integrity of the sport.

</div>

CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUPPORT

Southern Pickleball is happy to answer questions and assist with any issues related to registration, scheduling, divisions, or tournament policies. Please send all correspondence to

<a href="mailto:info@southernpickleball.com">info@southernpickleball.com</a>

For the fastest and most accurate service, please include the following information in your message:

• Your full name

• Your partner’s full name (if applicable)

• Age

• Phone number and email address for both players

• The bracket you are currently playing and/or the bracket you wish to play

• Providing complete information will help us respond more efficiently

Refund Policy

WITHDRAWAL & CANCELLATION POLICY

</div>

• Cancellation Deadline: JUNE 24th at 11:55 PM ET

• Withdrawals before the deadline receive a refund minus a $20 processing fee

• All approved refunds will be issued the week following the conclusion of the tournament

• Pickleball tournament service fees are non-refundable

• Tournament entry may close at any time if daily capacity limits are reached

WEATHER & TOURNAMENT INSURANCE

</div>

Optional Weather & Tournament Insurance is available for $12 and may be purchased during registration.

TOURNAMENT INSURANCE COVERS:

• Weather-related cancellations

• Withdrawals due to injury or family emergency for the player or their partner

Venue Details

Rhythm and Rally

3661 Eisenhower Parkway
Macon, Georgia, 31201
United States

Parking Information

Parking Fee: No Fee

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Candy Cane Classic presented by AARP Georgia

Candy Cane Classic presented by AARP Georgia

Candy Cane Classic presented by AARP Georgia

Candy Cane Classic presented by AARP Georgia

Candy Cane Classic presented by AARP Georgia

Tournament Description

Additional Information

Refund Policy

Venue Details